Bible Word Study
פָּזַז
pâzaz · to refine (gold)
פָּזַז
to refine (gold)
Definition
The Hebrew verb פָּזַז (pâzaz) means 'to refine' or 'to purify,' specifically in the context of gold. It describes the process of making gold pure and lustrous through intense heat and careful craftsmanship. In its single biblical occurrence, it is used as a passive participle to describe 'refined gold' (1 Kings 10:18). While its core meaning is metallurgical, the concept of refinement often carries symbolic weight in Scripture, though this specific term is not used in extended metaphorical contexts.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Kings 10:18. It appears in the description of King Solomon's magnificent throne, which was overlaid with 'refined gold' (זָהָב מְפֻזָּז). The context is one of supreme luxury, craftsmanship, and royal splendor, highlighting the wealth and glory of Solomon's kingdom. Its usage is purely descriptive of a material object.
Etymology
פָּזַז (pâzaz) is a primitive root verb. It is related to the noun פָּז (pāz, H6337), which means 'refined' or 'pure gold.' The root conveys the idea of being bright, shining, or pure, likely connected to the visual result of the refining process. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to being bright or gleaming.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is used only for material refinement, the *concept* of refining precious metals is a powerful biblical metaphor for God's purifying work in the lives of His people (e.g., Malachi 3:3, Zechariah 13:9, 1 Peter 1:7). Understanding that פָּזַז denotes a deliberate, skilled process to remove impurities and produce something valuable and beautiful can enrich a reader's appreciation of these metaphorical passages, even though they use different Hebrew terms. In the ancient Near East, refining gold was a sophisticated and valuable craft. Pure, refined gold was a symbol of ultimate wealth, purity, and divine favor, often used in sacred objects (like the tabernacle and temple) and royal regalia. The 'refined gold' of Solomon's throne was not just decorative; it communicated his power, God-given wisdom, and the peak of Israel's material prosperity under his reign. צָרַף (tsâraph, H6884) — A more common verb for refining or testing metals, often used in both literal and metaphorical/proverbial contexts (e.g., Proverbs 17:3, Zechariah 13:9). זָקַק (zâqaq, H2212) — To strain, purify, or refine, sometimes used for silver (Psalm 12:6).
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]