GOLD
What does the Bible teach about it?

Who in the Bible wore a CROWN of GOLD?

"The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord, and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

"Then they made the plate of the holy crown of PURE GOLD, and wrote on it an inscription like the engraving of a signet:  HOLINESS TO THE LORD." (Exodus 39:30)

Mordecai was made Persia's chief minister and given a crown to wear after God saved the Jews from total destruction:

"So Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great CROWN OF GOLD and a garment of fine linen and purple;  and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. " (Esther 8:15)

The 24 elders who sit around the throne of God wear golden crowns:

"Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne . . . Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had CROWNS OF GOLD on their heads." (Revelation 4:2, 4)

"Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a GOLDEN CROWN, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, 'Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.'" (Revelation 14:14-15)

What is the first mention of GOLD in the Bible?

The first place in the Bible gold is mentioned is in Genesis:

"Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is GOLD. And the GOLD of that land is good . . . " (Genesis 2:10-12)

What does the world's first gold coin and the Bible have in common?

Gold coin minted by King Croesus around 550 B.C. Lydian King Croesus (Kroisos), who ruled from about 560 to 547 B.C., is credited with striking and issuing the first true pure gold (and silver) coins to be used in the marketplace. His father King Alyattes, who reigned from about 610 to 560 B.C., is believed to have minted and distributed the world's first coins. Alyattes' coins were made of electrum, an alloy of gold and silver. The kingdom of Lydia, which was located in the western part of Asia Minor, had Sardis as its capital city. In 95 A.D. the Christian church in Sardis received warnings directly from God regarding their spiritual standing with him (Revelation 3:1-6).

What is the GOLDEN RULE?

What is commonly referred to as the "golden rule" is found in several places in the Bible. It is the summation of how God wants us to treat one another:

"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12)

"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise." (Luke 6:31)

"Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'You shall not covet,' and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:8-10)

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Galatians 5:14)

What does the book of Proverbs teach about GOLD?

"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding;  For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than FINE GOLD." (Proverbs 3:13-14)

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and GOLD." (Proverbs 22:1)

"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion . . . Riches and honor are with me, enduring riches and righteousness.  My fruit is better than GOLD, yes, than FINE GOLD, and my revenue than choice silver." (Proverbs 8:12, 18-19)

What are the seven words the Old Testament uses for GOLD?

In the Old Testament there are 7 Hebrew words (the number 7 symbolizes spiritual perfection) used to refer to gold. An example of each of these words is below.

1. Zâhâb (Hebrew: bhz):

   "Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where GOLD is refined . . . Its stones are the source of sapphires, and it contains GOLD dust." (Job 28:1, 6)

   The Hebrew word used for gold in Job 28 (and many other places) is zâhâb, which is Strong's Concordance #H2091. Zâhâb is from a root word that means to shimmer or shine like gold. It is the most common Old Testament Hebrew word translated into the English word gold.

2. Pâz (Hebrew: zp):

   "The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord . . . For You meet him with the blessings of goodness. You set a crown of PURE GOLD upon his head." (Psalm 21:1, 4)

   The Hebrew word translated as "pure gold" in the above verse is pâz, which is Strong's Concordance #H6337. It means pure or refined gold and is sometimes used to represent spiritual purity and glory.

3. Betser (Hebrew: rcb):

   "Then you will lay your GOLD in the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks. Yes, the Almighty will be your GOLD and your precious silver;" (Job 22:24-25)

   The Hebrew word betser translated as gold above (Strong's Concordance #H1220) is found only in the book of Job. It comes from a root word meaning to dig or cut off, and is used for gold that is broken up.

4. Chârûts (Hebrew: Cwrx):

   "Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice GOLD" (Proverbs 8:10)

   The Hebrew word chârûts (Strong's Concordance #H2742) used for gold in Proverbs 8 is also used in Psalm 68:

   "Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, you will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow GOLD." (Psalm 68:13)

   Chârûts comes from the Hebrew root word meaning to chop or cut off and is used to refer to gold in pieces or parts.

5. Kethem (Hebrew: Mtk):

   "How the gold has become dim! How changed the FINE GOLD!" (Lamentations 4:1)

   The word kethem (Strong's Concordance #H3800) translated as "fine gold" in the above verse means something that is carved out. When kethem is used in reference to gold it signifies gold that is pure as originally mined or gold that is stamped or engraved as being fine or pure.

6. Sâgar (Hebrew: rwgs):

   The sixth word used to refer to gold in the Old Testament is sâgar (Strong's Concordance #H5462). It is found only once in the Bible, in Job 28:

   "But where can wisdom be found? . . . It cannot be purchased for GOLD, nor can silver be weighed for its price." (Job 28:12, 15)

   Sâgar generally means to shut up or enclose. When used in reference to gold in Job 28:15 it refers to gold in a solid state or gold as solid.

7. Dehab (Hebrew: bhd):

   "This image’s head was of fine GOLD, its chest and arms of silver . . ." (Daniel 2:32)

   The Hebrew word dehab (Strong's Concordance #H1722) which is translated as gold in the above verse occurs only in the books of Daniel and Ezra. It is related to the word used for gold in our first example (zâhâb) and is another way the Bible references gold or golden in general.

What are the three ways God blessed King Solomon?

Many people are aware that God gave Solomon, the son of King David, wisdom. But God gave Solomon far more than an understanding heart with which to judge the children of Israel. He also blessed him with fabulous WEALTH and HONOR!

Shortly after Solomon became king God appeared to him in a dream and offered to give him ANYTHING he asked (1Kings 3:5). Solomon requested "an understanding heart" (v. 9) so that he could fulfill his responsibilities as king over all of Israel. God's response to Solomon's selfless request was:

"The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: 'Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, SO THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANYONE LIKE YOU BEFORE YOU, NOR SHALL ANY LIKE YOU ARISE AFTER YOU.

"And I have also given you what you have not asked: both RICHES and HONOR, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.' " (1Kings 3:10-13)

God not only promised to make Solomon the wisest man EVER but also to make him the RICHEST king alive. Exactly HOW did Solomon become so prosperous?

What four things made Solomon RICH?

There are four primary ways Solomon, fairly quickly, became the wealthiest king alive:

1. Commerce:

   "King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. Then Hiram (King of Tyre) sent his servants with the fleet, seamen who knew the sea, to work with the servants of Solomon. And they went to Ophir, and acquired FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY TALENTS OF GOLD from there, and brought it to King Solomon." (1Kings 9:26-28)

   "For the king had merchant ships at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the merchant ships came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys." (1Kings 10:22)

2. Gifts:

   "Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test Solomon with hard questions, having a very great retinue, camels that bore spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for Solomon that he could not explain it to her . . . And she gave the king ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY TALENTS OF GOLD, spices in great abundance, and precious stones; there never were any spices such as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon." (2Chronicles 9:1-2, 9)

   "Now all the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate YEAR BY YEAR." (1Kings 10:24-25)

   The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus wrote about the riches given to Solomon:

   "Accordingly there went a great fame all around the neighboring countries, which proclaimed the virtue and wisdom of Solomon, insomuch that all the kings every where were desirous to see him, as not giving credit to what was reported, on account of its being almost incredible: they also demonstrated the regard they had for him by the presents they made him; for they sent him VESSELS OF GOLD, and silver, and purple garments, and many sorts of spices, and horses, and chariots, and as many mules for his carriages as they could find proper to please the king's eyes, by their strength and beauty." (Antiquities (History) of the Jews, Book 8, Chapter 7)

3. Tribute:

   "So Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt.  They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life. . . . For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River from Tiphsah even to Gaza, namely over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on every side all around him." (1Kings 4:21, 24)

   Tribute is money and/or goods paid by kingdoms and countries in acknowledgment of another country's superiority.

4. Heavy Taxation:

   "And Rehoboam (Solomon's son who was heir to the throne) went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king . . . Then Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, 'Your father made our YOKE HEAVY; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.' " (1Kings 12:1, 3-4)

How much GOLD did Solomon possess and what was it worth?

While the Bible does not give us a value or weight of all the silver, bronze, precious gems, garments, spices, etc. that came to Solomon, it does give us an idea of how much gold he received:

"The weight of gold that came to Solomon YEARLY was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold, BESIDES what the traveling merchants and traders brought.  And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon." (1Kings 10:13-14)

Talents were used anciently as a measure of weight and money. A talent weighs roughly 75 U.S. pounds (34.3 kilograms), which is equal to 1,094 troy ounces (gold is priced per troy ounce). When we multiply the number of troy ounces per talent by 666 we get the number 728,604. If we assume a modern-day price of $1,500 per ounce, the gold Solomon received each year was worth close to TWO BILLION dollars! And, as if such prosperity weren't enough, the yearly amount of 666 gold talents DOES NOT include what was brought to Solomon by merchants, traders, governors and the kings of Arabia!

Solomon became so immensely rich that:

"All King Solomon's drinking vessels were gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold.  Not one was silver, for this was accounted as NOTHING in the days of Solomon." (1Kings 10:21)

"Also the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as STONES, and he made cedars as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland." (2Chronicles 1:15, see also 1Kings 10:27)

What are some FAST FACTS about Gold?

Q. How much is a Biblical talent of gold worth TODAY? A. As stated previously, a Biblical talent weighed about 75 U.S. pounds or 34.3 kilograms. This means that the world's largest gold bar, shown right, is roughly equal to 7.3 talents of gold. There are 1,094 troy ounces in one talent of gold. If we assume a market price of $1,000 per troy ounce, a talent of gold would be worth $1,093,000 U.S. If we assume a price of $1,500 per troy ounce, a talent of gold would be worth $1,639,500. At $1,750 per troy ounce a talent of gold would be valued at $1,912,750 (close to two million dollars)! Q. How much total gold has been mined in human history? A. According to the World Gold Council, the best estimates available suggest the total amount of gold mined in human history (to the year 2009) is approximately 165,600 metric tons (182,491 U.S. tons). Although gold in antiquity was relatively easy to obtain geologically, 75% of all gold ever mined has been extracted since 1910 A.D. Q. How important is gold to the world economy? A. 100 million people worldwide depend on gold mining for their livelihood. Q. Who mined and exported gold in the Bible?		The world's largest gold bar weighs 250 kg. (551 U.S. pounds)!

• Havilah (Genesis 2:11-12)

• Ophir (1Kings 9:28; 10:11; 1Chronicles 29:4; 2Chronicles 8:18; Job 22:24)

• Tarshish (2Chronicles 9:21, Isaiah 60:9)

• Parvaim (2Chronicles 3:6)

• Sheba (1Kings 10:10; 2Chronicles 9:9; Psalm 72:15)

• Uphaz (Jeremiah 10:9)

A. Since the 1880s South Africa has been the source for a large proportion of the world's gold supply, with about 50% of all gold ever produced coming from the country. In 2007 China overtook South Africa as the world's largest gold producer. It was the first time since 1905 that South Africa was not the largest.

Q. How much gold does the United States possess? A. Although Fort Knox, operated by the United States Department of the Treasury, holds 4,600 metric tons (5,046 U.S. tons) of gold they are not the largest U.S. owner of the metal. That distinction goes to the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of New York, who holds 7,000 metric tons (7,716 tons) of gold bullion in its underground vault in Manhattan. Q. Who uses the most gold? A. India is the world's largest single consumer and importer of gold, purchasing about 25% of the world's gold supply each year. The majority of this gold is used for jewelry. Q. What is done with all the gold that is mined? A. 50% of the gold mined in the world in used for jewelry, with another 40% used for investment purposes and the remaining 10% utilized in industry.

A 1933 U.S. $20 gold coin. This coin is extremely rare since none were ever circulated and only a few survived being melted. (Coin image from United States Mint)

How does gold help to FULFILL End Time Prophecy?

The prophetic book of Revelation refers to gold (e.g. gold or golden) no less than 22 times! Gold will play a major role in the prophetic End Time events that will occur before the return of Jesus. Gold will also be used by God himself to create the New Jerusalem he will bring down from heaven after all prophecy is fulfilled! The references to gold in Revelation are:

Seven golden lampstands are referred to 3 times in the book of Revelation:

"Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw SEVEN GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS;" (Revelation 1:12)

"The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the SEVEN GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS . . . " (Revelation 1:20)

"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the SEVEN GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS: . . .' " (Revelation 2:1)

Jesus was wearing a golden band around his chest when John first saw him in a vision:

"and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a GOLDEN BAND." (Revelation 1:13)

God councils the church at Laodicea to buy from him GOLD, which is symbolic for righteous character:

"I counsel you to buy from Me GOLD refined in the fire, that you may be rich . . . " (Revelation 3:18)

The 24 elders around God's throne wear golden crowns:

"Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had CROWNS OF GOLD on their heads." (Revelation 4:4)

The 24 elders will offer, in golden bowls, incense representing the prayers of true Christians:

"Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and GOLDEN BOWLS full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." (Revelation 5:8)

An angel with a golden censer will be given incense to offer before a golden altar:

"Then another angel, having a GOLDEN CENSER, came and stood at the altar.  He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the GOLDEN ALTAR which was before the throne." (Revelation 8:3)

Locusts wearing something like a gold crown will be given power to torment humans for five months:

"The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle.  On their heads were crowns of something like GOLD, and their faces were like the faces of men. " (Revelation 9:7)

John hears a voice, coming from the golden altar, commanding four angels (demons) be released:

"Then the sixth angel sounded:  And I heard a voice from the four horns of the GOLDEN ALTAR which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, 'Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.' " (Revelation 9:13-14)

Some people during the great tribulation will still refuse to repent even after they have suffered:

"But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and IDOLS OF GOLD . . . " (Revelation 9:20)

Jesus will appear in a cloud wearing a gold crown and carrying a sickle:

"Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a GOLDEN CROWN, and in His hand a sharp sickle." (Revelation 14:14)

Angels, wearing golden bands around their chests, will be given golden bowls containing God's wrath:

"And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with GOLDEN BANDS.  Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels SEVEN GOLDEN BOWLS full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever." (Revelation 15:6-7)

The apostle John sees a vision of a woman called MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT . . . :

"So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness.  And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.  The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with GOLD . . . having in her hand a GOLDEN CUP full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication." (Revelation 17:3-4)

Those who sell gold and other commodities will mourn the loss of Babylon:

"And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore:  merchandise of GOLD and silver . . . "

"The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying,  'Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with GOLD and precious stones and pearls!" (Revelation 18:11-12, 15-16)

A New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven, will be measured using gold and have gold in it:

"Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband . . . And he who talked with me had a GOLD REED to measure the city, its gates, and its wall."

"The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was PURE GOLD, like clear glass . . . And the street of the city was PURE GOLD, like transparent glass." (Revelation 21:2, 15, 18, 21)