זָהָב
𐤆𐤄𐤁
zâhâb
H2091 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Gold, a precious metal characterized by its yellow luster; used as a material for ornaments, currency, vessels, and cultic implements. The term denotes both the raw metal and objects fashioned from it. Metaphorically, it can represent splendor, purity, or great value in poetic or wisdom literature, occasionally extending to golden color or brilliance.
Semantic Range
gold (precious metal), golden objects or vessels, gold as a standard of value or tribute, gold as symbolic of wealth or splendor, golden/yellow color (rare/poetic), radiant sky (poetic/metaphorical)
Root / Etymology
Root/Etymology: Root uncertain; often linked by ancient lexicographers to a root associated with shining or shimmering, but no clear cognate verb is attested in Biblical Hebrew. Some have compared it to related Semitic roots in Akkadian (e.g., hubullu) or Ugaritic, but the etymological connection remains speculative. The noun זָהָב entered Hebrew usage early and is well-attested throughout the Tanakh.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Historical & Contextual Notes: זָהָב is attested from the earliest narrative strata of the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Genesis), indicating the metal’s known value and use among early Israelites. It was imported into the land from regions such as Ophir and Sheba, often as tribute or trade. In the monarchy period, זָהָב is associated with the opulence of courts and temple architecture—most notably Solomon’s Temple, where it is repeatedly mentioned as a primary construction and decorative material. In poetic and prophetic literature, זָהָב may symbolize purity, incorruptibility, or, in negative contexts, vanity or the perishable nature of earthly riches. The term does not carry the modern religious or moral meanings attached to gold but is usually a literal description. Occasionally, as in Job 37:22, the term may describe a golden or radiant sky, indicating brightness or splendor, or be used for comparisons to other yellow objects (though such metonymic uses are rare and context-dependent). Later tradition sometimes summarized זָהָב with terms like 'wealth' or 'treasure,' but the core meaning in the biblical period remained material and descriptive. English translations usually render it accurately as 'gold,' though metaphorical uses can lose nuance if translated too literally.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky; gold(-en), fair weather.
Bantu Hebrew
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זהב (z-h-b) — gold, shining metal, shimmer
Word Forms
24 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2091-20 |
זָהָ֔ב | zahav | HNcmsa |
gold | gold | 238 |
H2091-03 |
הַ/זָּהָֽב | hazahav | HTd/Ncmsa |
the gold | the gold | 60 |
H2091-19 |
וְ/זָהָ֔ב | vezahav | HC/Ncmsa |
and gold | and gold | 30 |
H2091-05 |
לַ/זָּהָ֖ב | lazahav | HRd/Ncmsa |
for gold | to the gold | 11 |
H2091-17 |
וְ/הַ/זָּהָ֗ב | vehazahav | HC/Td/Ncmsa |
and the gold | and the gold | 9 |
H2091-01 |
בַּ/זָּהָ֥ב | bazahav | HRd/Ncmsa |
in gold | in the gold | 7 |
H2091-14 |
וּ/זְהָבָ֖/ם | uzehavam | HC/Ncmsc/Sp3mp |
and their gold | and their gold | 4 |
H2091-21 |
זְהַ֣ב | zehav | HNcmsc |
gold | gold-of | 4 |
H2091-04 |
כַּ/זָּהָ֖ב | kazahav | HRd/Ncmsa |
as gold | as gold | 3 |
H2091-12 |
וּ/בְ/זָהָ֜ב | uvezahav | HC/R/Ncmsa |
and with gold | and with gold | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
389 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2091-03 |
Genesis 2:11 | הַ/זָּהָֽב | hazahav | HTd/Ncmsa |
the gold | the gold |
H2091-13 |
Genesis 2:12 | וּֽ/זֲהַ֛ב | uzahav | HC/Ncmsc |
and gold | and gold-of |
H2091-11 |
Genesis 13:2 | וּ/בַ/זָּהָֽב | uvazahav | HC/Rd/Ncmsa |
and in gold | and in the gold |
H2091-20 |
Genesis 24:22 | זָהָ֔ב | zahav | HNcmsa |
of gold | gold |
H2091-20 |
Genesis 24:22 | זָהָ֖ב | zahav-2 | HNcmsa |
of gold | gold |
H2091-19 |
Genesis 24:35 | וְ/זָהָ֔ב | vezahav | HC/Ncmsa |
and gold | and gold |
H2091-20 |
Genesis 24:53 | זָהָב֙ | zahav | HNcmsa |
gold | gold |
H2091-03 |
Genesis 41:42 | הַ/זָּהָ֖ב | hazahav | HTd/Ncmsa |
of gold | the gold |
H2091-20 |
Genesis 44:8 | זָהָֽב | zahav | HNcmsa |
gold | gold |
H2091-20 |
Exodus 3:22 | זָהָ֖ב | zahav | HNcmsa |
gold | gold |