Bible Word Study
אוּפָז
ʼÛwphâz · Uphaz, a famous gold region
אוּפָז
Uphaz, a famous gold region
Definition
Uphaz is a proper noun referring to a region famous for producing high-quality gold, mentioned twice in the Old Testament. It is often associated with or possibly synonymous with Ophir, another renowned source of fine gold in the biblical world. In Jeremiah 10:9, the gold from Uphaz is described as part of the lavish materials used to craft idols, contrasting the worthlessness of man-made gods with the true God. In Daniel 10:5, a figure in a vision wears a belt of gold from Uphaz, symbolizing divine splendor and purity.
Biblical Usage
The word appears only in Jeremiah 10:9 and Daniel 10:5. In both instances, it is used descriptively to specify the exceptional origin of gold, emphasizing value and excellence. In Jeremiah, it highlights the irony of using precious materials for idolatry, while in Daniel, it accentuates the heavenly glory of a celestial messenger. Its usage is exclusively in poetic or visionary contexts, not in historical narratives.
Etymology
The etymology of Uphaz (אוּפָז) is uncertain, but many scholars suggest it may be a textual corruption or variant of Ophir (אוֹפִיר, H211), another famous gold-producing region mentioned frequently in the Old Testament. It could also be a distinct, though less attested, location. The name likely entered Hebrew as a foreign geographical term, and its precise origin remains debated.
Semantic Range
Uphaz serves as a theological marker for divine purity and the futility of idolatry. In Jeremiah 10:9, its gold underscores the folly of worshiping man-made objects, no matter how precious, compared to the living God. In Daniel 10:5, it symbolizes the transcendent holiness and majesty of God's heavenly realm. Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting the biblical contrast between true divine splendor and counterfeit human glory. In the ancient Near East, specific regions were famed for their luxury resources, and Uphaz would have been recognized by Israelite audiences as a source of the finest gold, akin to Ophir. This cultural knowledge added weight to biblical descriptions, conveying immediate associations of wealth, quality, and distant, exotic lands. Its exact location is unknown today, possibly in Arabia or Africa, reflecting ancient trade networks. Ophir (ʼÔwphîyr, H211) — Another famous gold region, more frequently mentioned; the terms may refer to the same or similar locations.
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]