בְּצַר
gold
Definition
The Hebrew noun בְּצַר (bᵉtsar) refers specifically to gold. It is a poetic or variant form of the more common word for gold, בֶּצֶר (betser, H1220). In its single biblical occurrence, it carries the straightforward meaning of the precious metal gold. There are no distinct shades of meaning for this particular form, as it appears only once and functions identically to its root term, denoting the valuable, lustrous material.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Job 36:19. In this context, Elihu is rhetorically questioning Job, asking if his cry for help in distress would be heeded, even if it involved great wealth ('Will he esteem your riches? No, not gold [בְּצַר], nor all the forces of strength.'). Its usage here is poetic, paralleling the concept of immense material wealth and power, which are presented as ultimately useless for deliverance from God's disciplinary judgment.
Etymology
בְּצַר (bᵉtsar, H1222) is explicitly noted as an alternate or by-form of בֶּצֶר (betser, H1220), the primary Hebrew word for gold. It shares the same Semitic root, which is associated with the concept of something that is 'cut off' or 'separated,' likely referring to gold being mined or separated from ore. This connection highlights gold's nature as a precious, extracted material.
Semantic Range
While the word itself simply means 'gold,' its sole use in Job 36:19 is theologically significant. It appears in a discourse on God's justice and the futility of human resources. The verse contrasts earthly wealth, symbolized by gold (בְּצַר), with the need for righteous reliance on God. Understanding this highlights a key biblical theme: material riches are powerless to save or deliver a person from divine correction or ultimate spiritual need.
In the ancient Near East, gold was the ultimate symbol of wealth, purity, and kingship. It was used for currency, jewelry, religious objects, and adorning temples and palaces. Its mention in Job, a book with a likely patriarchal setting, underscores its timeless association with supreme value and opulence. The poetic use of a rarer term like בְּצַר may have been chosen for its sound or meter, emphasizing the weight of the concept.
זָהָב (zahab, H2091) — The standard and most frequent Hebrew word for gold, used in all contexts. כֶּתֶם (kethem, H3800) — A poetic synonym for fine or pure gold, often used in parallel with zahab. פָּז (paz, H6337) — Refers to refined or pure gold, often in poetic and prophetic texts.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →