דְּהַב
gold
Definition
The Aramaic noun דְּהַב (dᵉhab) refers specifically to gold, the precious metal. It is used in the biblical texts to denote both raw gold (Ezra 7:15–16) and finished objects made of gold, such as the golden statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Daniel 2:32–35). The term consistently signifies material of great value and purity, often in the context of royal treasures, temple vessels, and divine craftsmanship. In all its occurrences, it carries the same core meaning without significant semantic variation.
Biblical Usage
This word appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Ezra and Daniel. Its usage is almost entirely within contexts of royal decrees, inventories, and visions concerning wealth and power. For example, it details the gold and silver vessels taken from and returned to the Jerusalem temple (Ezra 5:14; 6:5) and describes the magnificent golden elements of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream statue (Daniel 2:32–38). The pattern shows דְּהַב is used for gold in official, administrative, and prophetic visions related to kingdoms and God's sovereignty over them.
Etymology
דְּהַב is an Aramaic word, the direct linguistic counterpart to the Biblical Hebrew word for gold, זָהָב (zāhāv, H2091). Both words share a common Semitic root (*dhb) found in related languages like Ugaritic and Arabic, pointing to the ancient and widespread value of the metal. The Aramaic form דְּהַב was used in the imperial administrative language of the Persian period, which is why it appears in the relevant biblical passages.
Semantic Range
While 'gold' is a material substance, its use in these Aramaic passages is theologically significant. In Ezra, the gold temple vessels represent the holiness of God, the continuity of worship, and His faithfulness in restoring His people. In Daniel, the gold in the king's dream statue (Daniel 2:38) symbolizes the pinnacle of human political power and glory, which is ultimately transient and inferior to the eternal kingdom of God that will destroy and replace all human empires. Thus, דְּהַב can symbolize both dedicated sacred objects and the fleeting splendor of human kingdoms in contrast to God's eternal reign.
In the ancient Near East, gold was the ultimate symbol of wealth, prestige, and divine favor. Its use in temple artifacts signified offering the best to the gods, and its possession by kings demonstrated their power and divine legitimacy. The detailed inventories in Ezra reflect the meticulous record-keeping of the Persian Empire regarding temple treasures, showing how such wealth was under royal control and protection. Understanding דְּהַב in this context highlights that biblical references to gold are not merely about material value but about sovereignty, sanctity, and the claims of competing kingdoms—human and divine.
זָהָב (zāhāv, H2091) — The standard Biblical Hebrew word for 'gold,' used throughout most of the Old Testament. כֶּתֶם (ketem, H3800) — A poetic synonym for gold, often implying refined or pure gold (e.g., Job 28:19). פָּז (pāz, H6337) — Another poetic term for fine, pure gold, often used in parallel with זָהָב (e.g., Psalm 19:10).
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.
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