Where is Parvaim located?

Parvaim is an ancient location mentioned in the Bible, believed to be in the region of Arabia, in what is now modern-day Saudi Arabia. It is often identified with a place known today as Farwah.

What does the Bible say about Parvaim?

The Bible mentions Parvaim only once, stating that King Solomon used gold from Parvaim to overlay the temple's inner sanctuary (2 Chronicles 3:6). No specific events or narratives about the place itself are recorded.

Why is Parvaim significant in the Bible?

Parvaim's significance lies solely in its association with Solomon's Temple, indicating it was a known source of fine gold for this monumental project. Its mention highlights the temple's immense wealth and the far-reaching trade networks of Solomon's kingdom.

Parvaim

cityOld TestamentArabia

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Modern Name

Farwah

Country

Saudi Arabia

Region

Arabia

Coordinates

16.8719, 43.7114

Parvaim is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Arabia in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Known today as Farwah. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.

Biblical History

Parvaim is a place mentioned only once in Scripture, in 2 Chronicles 3:6, in connection with Solomon's construction of the temple. The text states that Solomon adorned the temple with precious stones and that the gold used was "gold of Parvaim." This single reference places Parvaim alongside Ophir as one of the legendary sources of fine gold in the ancient world. The specification of Parvaim gold underscores the extraordinary quality and provenance of materials dedicated to God's house, reflecting Solomon's commitment to building a temple of unmatched splendor. The Chronicler's mention of named gold sources was not merely decorative detail but theological statement: the finest materials from the farthest reaches of the known world were consecrated for divine worship. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that the temple as God's dwelling place deserved the very best of human craftsmanship and earthly resources. Solomon's ability to procure such exotic materials also demonstrated the peace and international trade networks that characterized his reign as the fulfillment of God's promise to David.

Archaeological & Historical Notes

The identification of Parvaim remains one of the enduring puzzles of biblical geography. Several proposals have been advanced. Some scholars connect it with Farwah in Yemen, pointing to the gold-producing regions of southwestern Arabia. Others have suggested Sak el-Farwain in eastern Arabia or linked it to the Sanskrit word parvam, meaning "eastern," pointing toward India or Southeast Asia. The Septuagint renders the name as Pharouaim, offering little geographic clarity. Rabbinic tradition (Talmud, Yoma 21b) associated the name with a wordplay suggesting the gold was red like the blood of bulls. No archaeological evidence has conclusively identified a site named Parvaim, and the term may refer to a region rather than a specific city, perhaps designating a trade route source rather than a single mining location.

Verse Appearances (1)

2Chr

2Chr 3:6

Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →

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