זָהָב (za.hav)
za.hav
gold
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 315 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun zaḥav refers to gold, the precious metal valued for its rarity and durability. In the Old Testament it appears roughly three hundred times, most frequently in Exodus, Kings, and Chronicles, where it describes the materials used for the Tabernacle, Solomon’s Temple, and royal treasures. The word denotes the physical substance itself, often serving as a standard of wealth or a costly gift exchanged between nations.
Its etymology connects to a root meaning "to shimmer," highlighting the metal’s visual brilliance. This quality allows zaḥav to function metaphorically for radiant beauty. For instance, Zechariah uses it to describe pure oil that shines like gold (Zechariah 4:12), while Job associates its luster with the golden splendor of the sky (Job 37:22). These figurative uses extend the concept from material wealth to divine glory and clarity.
Translators typically render zaḥav simply as "gold" or "golden," preserving the distinction between the raw material and its finished form. The sources note that when used with specific numbers, it often implies a measure of weight, such as shekels, rather than just a quantity of objects. This usage underscores its role not merely as decoration, but as a concrete unit of value in ancient economic and religious contexts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Gold in Scripture often represents something precious, durable, and worthy of honor. When we read about it adorning the Tabernacle or Solomon’s Temple, we see a picture of God’s glory being covered in beauty that will not fade. This metal reminds us that what belongs to God is of supreme value, far beyond ordinary wealth.
Yet the Bible also warns against making gold into an idol. In Exodus, God commands His people not to make gods of silver or gold alongside Him. This teaches us that while material things are gifts from God, they must never replace Him as our source of security or joy. We can appreciate beauty without letting it capture our hearts.
For your daily life, this word invites you to consider what you value most. Are you storing up treasures that rust or fade, or are you investing in things that reflect God’s character? Let your heart be fixed on the eternal rather than the temporary.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 315 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- gold218×
- <the>/ gold37×
- and/ gold25×
- the/ gold22×
- and/ the/ gold9×
- [were] gold7×
- like <the>/ gold3×
- in <the>/ gold3×
- for the/ gold3×
- and/ with/ gold3×
- [will be] gold3×
- [the] gold of3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זָהָ֖ב38×
- זָהָ֣ב37×
- זָהָ֔ב35×
- זָהָֽב\׃25×
- זָהָ֑ב24×
- זָהָ֥ב19×
- הַ/זָּהָ֔ב18×
- זָהָב֙14×
- זָהָ֗ב12×
- הַ/זָּהָב֙7×
- הַ/זָּהָ֗ב7×
- הַ/זָּהָ֖ב7×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 20:23
You shall most certainly not make gods of silver or gods of gold for yourselves to be alongside me.
This verse explicitly forbids making gods of gold, showing that even precious materials become idols when they replace God.
-
Exodus 25:11
You shall overlay it with pure gold. You shall overlay it inside and outside, and you shall make a gold molding around it.
Here gold is used to overlay the Ark, indicating that God’s presence is associated with purity and enduring worth.
-
Genesis 2:12
and the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and onyx stone are also there.
The description of gold as 'good' in Eden suggests that beautiful materials are part of God’s original good creation.
-
Exodus 3:22
But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, and of her who visits her house, jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and clothing. You shall put them on your sons, and on your daughters. You shall plunder the Egyptians.”
Israelites taking gold from Egypt shows how God can use worldly wealth to bless His people for a holy purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word zaḥav mean?
Why is gold mentioned so often in the Bible?
Does the Bible approve of wealth?
Every Occurrence (315 verses across 30 books)
Genesis 8 verses
The name of the first is Pishon: it flows through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
Genesis 2:12and the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and onyx stone are also there.
Genesis 13:2Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
Genesis 24:22As the camels had finished drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her…
Genesis 24:35Yahweh has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. Yahweh has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male…
Genesis 24:53The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave…
Genesis 41:42Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen,…
Genesis 44:8Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then…