Adjacent Words

Gold definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

GOLD, n.
1. A precious metal of a bright yellow color, and the most ductile and malleable of all the metals. It is the heaviest metal except platina; and being a very dense, fixed substance, and not liable to be injured by air, it is well fitted to be used as coin, or a representative of commodities in commerce. Its ductility and malleability render it the most suitable metal for gilding. It is often found native in solid masses, as in Hungary and Peru; though generally in combination with silver, copper or iron.
2. Money.
For me, the gold of France did not seduce--
3. Something pleasing or valuable; as a heart of gold.
4. A bright yellow color; as a flower edged with gold.
5. Riches; wealth.
Gold of pleasure, a plant of the genus Myagrum.
GOLD, a. Made of gold; consisting of gold; as a gold chain.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: made from or covered with gold; "gold coins"; "the gold dome of the Capitol"; "the golden calf"; "gilded icons" [syn: gold, golden, gilded]
2: having the deep slightly brownish color of gold; "long aureate (or golden) hair"; "a gold carpet" [syn: aureate, gilded, gilt, gold, golden] n
1: coins made of gold
2: a deep yellow color; "an amber light illuminated the room"; "he admired the gold of her hair" [syn: amber, gold]
3: a soft yellow malleable ductile (trivalent and univalent) metallic element; occurs mainly as nuggets in rocks and alluvial deposits; does not react with most chemicals but is attacked by chlorine and aqua regia [syn: gold, Au, atomic number 79]
4: great wealth; "Whilst that for which all virtue now is sold, and almost every vice--almighty gold"--Ben Jonson
5: something likened to the metal in brightness or preciousness or superiority etc.; "the child was as good as gold"; "she has a heart of gold"

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German gold gold, Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow Date: before 12th century 1. a yellow malleable ductile metallic element that occurs chiefly free or in a few minerals and is used especially in coins, jewelry, and dentures — see element table 2. a. (1) gold coins (2) a gold piece b. money c. gold standard 1 3. a variable color averaging deep yellow 4. something resembling gold; especially something valued as the finest of its kind <a heart of gold> 5. a medal awarded as the first prize in a competition ; a gold medal II. adjective Date: 1969 qualifying for a gold record <five…recordings are certified gold — Henry Edwards>

Dictionary of the Elements

gold
Symbol: Au
Atomic number: 79
Atomic weight: 196.96655
Gold is gold colored. It is the most malleable and ductile metal known. There is only one stable isotope of gold, and five radioisotopes of gold, Au-195 being the most stable with a half-life of 186 days. Gold is used as a monetary standard, in jewelry, dentistry, electronics. Au-198 is used in treating cancer and some other medical conditions. Gold has been known to exist as far back as 2600 BC. Gold comes from the Anglo-Saxon word gold. Its symbol, Au, comes from the Latin word aurum, which means gold. Gold is not particularly toxic, however it is known to cause damage to the liver and kidneys in some.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & adj. --n. 1 a yellow malleable ductile high density metallic element resistant to chemical reaction, occurring naturally in quartz veins and gravel, and precious as a monetary medium, in jewellery, etc. Usage: Symb.: Au. 2 the colour of gold. 3 a coins or articles made of gold. b money in large sums, wealth. 4 something precious, beautiful, or brilliant (all that glitters is not gold). 5 = gold medal. 6 gold used for coating a surface or as a pigment, gilding. 7 the bull's-eye of an archery target (usu. gilt). --adj. 1 made wholly or chiefly of gold. 2 coloured like gold. Phrases and idioms: age of gold = golden age. gold amalgam an easily-moulded combination of gold with mercury. gold-beater a person who beats gold out into gold leaf. gold-beater's skin a membrane used to separate leaves of gold during beating, or as a covering for slight wounds. gold bloc a bloc of countries having a gold standard. gold brick sl. 1 a thing with only a surface appearance of value, a sham or fraud. 2 US a lazy person. gold-digger 1 sl. a woman who wheedles money out of men. 2 a person who digs for gold. gold-dust 1 gold in fine particles as often found naturally. 2 a plant, Alyssum saxatile, with many small yellow flowers. gold-field a district in which gold is found as a mineral. gold foil gold beaten into a thin sheet. gold leaf gold beaten into a very thin sheet. gold medal a medal of gold, usu. awarded as first prize. gold-mine 1 a place where gold is mined. 2 colloq. a source of wealth. gold of pleasure an annual yellow-flowered plant, Camelina sativa. gold plate 1 vessels made of gold. 2 material plated with gold. gold-plate v.tr. plate with gold. gold reserve a reserve of gold coins or bullion held by a central bank etc. gold-rush a rush to a newly-discovered gold-field. gold standard a system by which the value of a currency is defined in terms of gold, for which the currency may be exchanged. Gold Stick 1 (in the UK) a gilt rod carried on State occasions by the colonel of the Life Guards or the captain of the gentlemen-at-arms. 2 the officer carrying this rod. gold thread 1 a thread of silk etc. with gold wire wound round it. 2 a bitter plant, Coptis tinfolia. Etymology: OE f. Gmc

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Note: Watches are often distinguished by the kind of escapement used, as an anchor watch, a lever watch, a chronometer watch, etc. (see the Note under Escapement, n., 3); also, by the kind of case, as a gold or silver watch, an open-faced watch, a hunting watch, or hunter, etc. 6. (Naut.) (a) An allotted portion of time, usually four hour for standing watch, or being on deck ready for duty. Cf. Dogwatch. (b) That part, usually one half, of the officers and crew, who together attend to the working of a vessel for an allotted time, usually four hours. The watches are designated as the port watch, and the starboard watch. Anchor watch (Naut.), a detail of one or more men who keep watch on deck when a vessel is at anchor. To be on the watch, to be looking steadily for some event. Watch and ward (Law), the charge or care of certain officers to keep a watch by night and a guard by day in towns, cities, and other districts, for the preservation of the public peace. --Wharton. --Burrill. Watch and watch (Naut.), the regular alternation in being on watch and off watch of the two watches into which a ship's crew is commonly divided. Watch barrel, the brass box in a watch, containing the mainspring. Watch bell (Naut.), a bell struck when the half-hour glass is run out, or at the end of each half hour. --Craig. Watch bill (Naut.), a list of the officers and crew of a ship as divided into watches, with their stations. --Totten. Watch case, the case, or outside covering, of a watch; also, a case for holding a watch, or in which it is kept. Watch chain. Same as watch guard, below. Watch clock, a watchman's clock; see under Watchman. Watch fire, a fire lighted at night, as a signal, or for the use of a watch or guard. Watch glass. (a) A concavo-convex glass for covering the face, or dial, of a watch; -- also called watch crystal. (b) (Naut.) A half-hour glass used to measure the time of a watch on deck.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Note: The common, or English, {pheasant ({Phasianus Colchicus.html">pheasant.html">common, or English, {pheasant ({Phasianus Colchicus) is now found over most of temperate Europe, but was introduced from Asia. The ring-necked pheasant (P. torquatus) and the green pheasant (P. versicolor) have been introduced into Oregon. The golden pheasant (Thaumalea picta) is one of the most beautiful species. The silver pheasant (Euplocamus nychthemerus) of China, and several related species from Southern Asia, are very beautiful. 2. (Zo["o]l.) The ruffed grouse. [Southern U.S.] Note: Various other birds are locally called pheasants, as the lyre bird, the leipoa, etc. Fireback pheasant. See Fireback. Gold, or Golden, pheasant (Zo["o]l.), a Chinese pheasant (Thaumalea picta), having rich, varied colors. The crest is amber-colored, the rump is golden yellow, and the under parts are scarlet. Mountain pheasant (Zo["o]l.), the ruffed grouse. [Local, U.S.] Pheasant coucal (Zo["o]l.), a large Australian cuckoo (Centropus phasianus). The general color is black, with chestnut wings and brown tail. Called also pheasant cuckoo. The name is also applied to other allied species. Pheasant duck. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The pintail. (b) The hooded merganser. Pheasant parrot (Zo["o]l.), a large and beautiful Australian parrakeet (Platycercus Adelaidensis). The male has the back black, the feathers margined with yellowish blue and scarlet, the quills deep blue, the wing coverts and cheeks light blue, the crown, sides of the neck, breast, and middle of the belly scarlet. Pheasant's eye. (Bot.) (a) A red-flowered herb (Adonis autumnalis) of the Crowfoot family; -- called also pheasant's-eye Adonis. (b) The garden pink (Dianthus plumarius); -- called also Pheasant's-eye pink. Pheasant shell (Zo["o]l.), any marine univalve shell of the genus Phasianella, of which numerous species are found in tropical seas. The shell is smooth and usually richly colored, the colors often forming blotches like those of a pheasant. Pheasant wood. (Bot.) Same as Partridge wood (a), under Partridge. Sea pheasant (Zo["o]l.), the pintail. Water pheasant. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The sheldrake. (b) The hooded merganser.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Aluminium bronze or gold, a pale gold-colored alloy of aluminium and copper, used for journal bearings, etc.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Gold Gold (g[=o]ld), Golde Golde, Goolde Goolde (g[=oo]ld), n. (Bot.) An old English name of some yellow flower, -- the marigold (Calendula), according to Dr. Prior, but in Chaucer perhaps the turnsole.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Gold Gold (g[=o]ld), n. [AS. gold; akin to D. goud, OS. & G. gold, Icel. gull, Sw. & Dan. guld, Goth. gul[thorn], Russ. & OSlav. zlato; prob. akin to E. yellow. [root]49, 234. See Yellow, and cf. Gild, v. t.] 1. (Chem.) A metallic element, constituting the most precious metal used as a common commercial medium of exchange. It has a characteristic yellow color, is one of the heaviest substances known (specific gravity 19.32), is soft, and very malleable and ductile. It is quite unalterable by heat, moisture, and most corrosive agents, and therefore well suited for its use in coin and jewelry. Symbol Au (Aurum). Atomic weight 196.7. Note: Native gold contains usually eight to ten per cent of silver, but often much more. As the amount of silver increases, the color becomes whiter and the specific gravity lower. Gold is very widely disseminated, as in the sands of many rivers, but in very small quantity. It usually occurs in quartz veins (gold quartz), in slate and metamorphic rocks, or in sand and alluvial soil, resulting from the disintegration of such rocks. It also occurs associated with other metallic substances, as in auriferous pyrites, and is combined with tellurium in the minerals petzite, calaverite, sylvanite, etc. Pure gold is too soft for ordinary use, and is hardened by alloying with silver and copper, the latter giving a characteristic reddish tinge. [See Carat.] Gold also finds use in gold foil, in the pigment purple of Cassius, and in the chloride, which is used as a toning agent in photography. 2. Money; riches; wealth. For me, the gold of France did not seduce. --Shak. 3. A yellow color, like that of the metal; as, a flower tipped with gold. 4. Figuratively, something precious or pure; as, hearts of gold. --Shak. Age of gold. See Golden age, under Golden. Dutch gold, Fool's gold, Gold dust, etc. See under Dutch, Dust, etc. Gold amalgam, a mineral, found in Columbia and California, composed of gold and mercury. Gold beater, one whose occupation is to beat gold into gold leaf. Gold beater's skin, the prepared outside membrane of the large intestine of the ox, used for separating the leaves of metal during the process of gold-beating. Gold beetle (Zo["o]l.), any small gold-colored beetle of the family Chrysomelid[ae]; -- called also golden beetle. Gold blocking, printing with gold leaf, as upon a book cover, by means of an engraved block. --Knight. Gold cloth. See Cloth of gold, under Cloth. Gold Coast, a part of the coast of Guinea, in West Africa. Gold cradle. (Mining) See Cradle, n., 7. Gold diggings, the places, or region, where gold is found by digging in sand and gravel from which it is separated by washing. Gold end, a fragment of broken gold or jewelry. Gold-end man. (a) A buyer of old gold or jewelry. (b) A goldsmith's apprentice. (c) An itinerant jeweler. ``I know him not: he looks like a gold-end man.'' --B. Jonson. Gold fever, a popular mania for gold hunting. Gold field, a region in which are deposits of gold. Gold finder. (a) One who finds gold. (b) One who empties privies. [Obs. & Low] --Swift. Gold flower, a composite plant with dry and persistent yellow radiating involucral scales, the Helichrysum St[oe]chas of Southern Europe. There are many South African species of the same genus. Gold foil, thin sheets of gold, as used by dentists and others. See Gold leaf. Gold knobs or knoppes (Bot.), buttercups. Gold lace, a kind of lace, made of gold thread. Gold latten, a thin plate of gold or gilded metal. Gold leaf, gold beaten into a film of extreme thinness, and used for gilding, etc. It is much thinner than gold foil. Gold lode (Mining), a gold vein. Gold mine, a place where gold is obtained by mining operations, as distinguished from diggings, where it is extracted by washing. Cf. Gold diggings (above). Gold nugget, a lump of gold as found in gold mining or digging; -- called also a pepito. Gold paint. See Gold shell. Gold or Golden, pheasant. (Zo["o]l.) See under Pheasant. Gold plate, a general name for vessels, dishes, cups, spoons, etc., made of gold.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Gold Gold (g[=o]ld), n. [AS. gold; akin to D. goud, OS. & G. gold, Icel. gull, Sw. & Dan. guld, Goth. gul[thorn], Russ. & OSlav. zlato; prob. akin to E. yellow. [root]49, 234. See Yellow, and cf. Gild, v. t.] 1. (Chem.) A metallic element, constituting the most precious metal used as a common commercial medium of exchange. It has a characteristic yellow color, is one of the heaviest substances known (specific gravity 19.32), is soft, and very malleable and ductile. It is quite unalterable by heat, moisture, and most corrosive agents, and therefore well suited for its use in coin and jewelry. Symbol Au (Aurum). Atomic weight 196.7. Note: Native gold contains usually eight to ten per cent of silver, but often much more. As the amount of silver increases, the color becomes whiter and the specific gravity lower. Gold is very widely disseminated, as in the sands of many rivers, but in very small quantity. It usually occurs in quartz veins (gold quartz), in slate and metamorphic rocks, or in sand and alluvial soil, resulting from the disintegration of such rocks. It also occurs associated with other metallic substances, as in auriferous pyrites, and is combined with tellurium in the minerals petzite, calaverite, sylvanite, etc. Pure gold is too soft for ordinary use, and is hardened by alloying with silver and copper, the latter giving a characteristic reddish tinge. [See Carat.] Gold also finds use in gold foil, in the pigment purple of Cassius, and in the chloride, which is used as a toning agent in photography. 2. Money; riches; wealth. For me, the gold of France did not seduce. --Shak. 3. A yellow color, like that of the metal; as, a flower tipped with gold. 4. Figuratively, something precious or pure; as, hearts of gold. --Shak. Age of gold. See Golden age, under Golden. Dutch gold, Fool's gold, Gold dust, etc. See under Dutch, Dust, etc. Gold amalgam, a mineral, found in Columbia and California, composed of gold and mercury. Gold beater, one whose occupation is to beat gold into gold leaf. Gold beater's skin, the prepared outside membrane of the large intestine of the ox, used for separating the leaves of metal during the process of gold-beating. Gold beetle (Zo["o]l.), any small gold-colored beetle of the family Chrysomelid[ae]; -- called also golden beetle. Gold blocking, printing with gold leaf, as upon a book cover, by means of an engraved block. --Knight. Gold cloth. See Cloth of gold, under Cloth. Gold Coast, a part of the coast of Guinea, in West Africa. Gold cradle. (Mining) See Cradle, n., 7. Gold diggings, the places, or region, where gold is found by digging in sand and gravel from which it is separated by washing. Gold end, a fragment of broken gold or jewelry. Gold-end man. (a) A buyer of old gold or jewelry. (b) A goldsmith's apprentice. (c) An itinerant jeweler. ``I know him not: he looks like a gold-end man.'' --B. Jonson. Gold fever, a popular mania for gold hunting. Gold field, a region in which are deposits of gold. Gold finder. (a) One who finds gold. (b) One who empties privies. [Obs. & Low] --Swift. Gold flower, a composite plant with dry and persistent yellow radiating involucral scales, the Helichrysum St[oe]chas of Southern Europe. There are many South African species of the same genus. Gold foil, thin sheets of gold, as used by dentists and others. See Gold leaf. Gold knobs or knoppes (Bot.), buttercups. Gold lace, a kind of lace, made of gold thread. Gold latten, a thin plate of gold or gilded metal. Gold leaf, gold beaten into a film of extreme thinness, and used for gilding, etc. It is much thinner than gold foil. Gold lode (Mining), a gold vein. Gold mine, a place where gold is obtained by mining operations, as distinguished from diggings, where it is extracted by washing. Cf. Gold diggings (above). Gold nugget, a lump of gold as found in gold mining or digging; -- called also a pepito. Gold paint. See Gold shell. Gold or Golden, pheasant. (Zo["o]l.) See under Pheasant. Gold plate, a general name for vessels, dishes, cups, spoons, etc., made of gold.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(golds) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. Gold is a valuable, yellow-coloured metal that is used for making jewellery and ornaments, and as an international currency. ...a sapphire set in gold... The price of gold was going up. ...gold coins. N-UNCOUNT 2. Gold is jewellery and other things that are made of gold. We handed over all our gold and money. N-UNCOUNT 3. Something that is gold is a bright yellow colour, and is often shiny. I'd been wearing Michel's black and gold shirt. COLOUR 4. A gold is the same as a gold medal. (INFORMAL) His ambition was to win gold at the Atlanta Games in 1996... This Saturday the British star is going for gold in the Winter Olympics. N-VAR 5. If you say that a child is being as good as gold, you are emphasizing that they are behaving very well and are not causing you any problems. The boys were as good as gold on our walk. PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v [emphasis] 6. If you say that someone has a heart of gold, you are emphasizing that they are very good and kind to other people. They are all good boys with hearts of gold. They would never steal. PHRASE: heart inflects, v PHR, with PHR [emphasis] 7. to strike gold: see strike worth one's weight in gold: see weight see also fool's gold

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5).

(2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or "fine gold" (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49).

(3.) Heb. paz, native or pure gold (Job 28:17; Ps. 19:10; 21:3, etc.).

(4.) Heb. betzer, "ore of gold or silver" as dug out of the mine (Job 36:19, where it means simply riches).

(5.) Heb. kethem, i.e., something concealed or separated (Job 28:16,19; Ps. 45:9; Prov. 25:12). Rendered "golden wedge" in Isa. 13:12.

(6.) Heb. haruts, i.e., dug out; poetic for gold (Prov. 8:10; 16:16; Zech. 9:3).

Gold was known from the earliest times (Gen. 2:11). It was principally used for ornaments (Gen. 24:22). It was very abundant (1 Chr. 22:14; Nah. 2:9; Dan. 3:1). Many tons of it were used in connection with the temple (2 Chr. 1:15). It was found in Arabia, Sheba, and Ophir (1 Kings 9:28; 10:1; Job 28:16), but not in Palestine.

In Dan. 2:38, the Babylonian Empire is spoken of as a "head of gold" because of its great riches; and Babylon was called by Isaiah (14:4) the "golden city" (R.V. marg., "exactress," adopting the reading _marhebah_, instead of the usual word _madhebah_).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

gold (zahabh; chrusos):

1. Terms:

No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic equivalent, dhahab, is still the common name for gold throughout Palestine, Syria and Egypt. With zahabh frequently occur other words which, translated, mean "pure" (Ex 25:11), "refined" (1Ch 28:18), "finest" (1Ki 10:18), "beaten" (1Ki 10:17), "Ophir" (Ps 45:9).

Other terms occurring are: paz, "fine gold" (Job 28:17; Ps 19:10; 21:3; 119:127; Pr 8:19; So 5:11,15; Isa 13:12; La 4:2); charuts (Ps 68:13; Pr 3:14; 8:10,19; 16:16; Zec 9:3); kethem, literally, "carved out" (Job 28:16,19; 31:24; Pr 25:12; La 4:1; Da 10:5); ceghor (1Ki 6:20; 7:50; Job 28:15); betser (in the King James Version only: Job 22:24; the Revised Version (British and American) "treasure").

2. Sources:

Sources definitely mentioned in the Old Testament are: Havilah (Ge 2:11,12); Ophir (1Ki 9:28; 10:11; 22:48; 1Ch 29:4; 2Ch 8:18; 9:10; Job 22:24; 28:16; Ps 45:9; Isa 13:12); Sheba (1Ki 10:2,10; 2Ch 9:1,9; Ps 72:15; Isa 60:6; Eze 27:22; 38:13); Arabia (2Ch 9:14). We are not justified in locating any of these places too definitely. They probably all refer to some region of Arabia.

The late origin of the geological formation of Palestine and Syria precludes the possibility of gold being found in any quantities (see METALS), so that the large quantities of gold used by the children of Israel in constructing their holy places was not the product of mines in the country, but was from the spoil taken from the inhabitants of the land (Nu 31:52), or brought with them from Egypt (Ex 3:22). This gold was probably mined in Egypt or India (possibly Arabia), and brought by the great caravan routes through Arabia to Syria, or by sea in the ships of Tyre (1Ki 10:11,22; Eze 27:21,22). There is no doubt about the Egyptian sources. The old workings in the gold-bearing veins of the Egyptian desert and the ruins of the buildings connected with the mining and refining of the precious metal still remain. This region is being reopened with the prospect of its becoming a source of part of the world's supply. It might be inferred from the extensive spoils in gold taken from the Midianites (100,000 HDB, under the word) that their country (Northwestern Arabia) produced gold. It is more likely that the Midianites had, in turn, captured most of it from other weaker nations. The tradition that Northwestern Arabia is rich in gold still persists. Every year Moslem pilgrims, returning from Mecca by the Damascus route, bring with them specimens of what is supposed to be gold ore. They secure it from the Arabs at the stopping-places along the route. Samples analyzed by the writer have been iron pyrites only. No gold-bearing rock has yet appeared. Whether these specimens come from the mines mentioned by Burton (The Land of Midian Revisited) is a question.

3. Forms:

Gold formed a part of every household treasure (Ge 13:2; 24:35; De 8:13; 17:17; Jos 22:8; Eze 28:4). It was probably treasured (a) in the form of nuggets (Job 28:6 the Revised Version, margin), (b) in regularly or irregularly shaped slabs or bars (Nu 7:14,20,84,86; Jos 7:21,24; 2Ki 5:5), and (c) in the form of dust (Job 28:6). A specimen of yellow dust, which the owner claimed to have taken from an ancient jar, unearthed in the vicinity of the Hauran, was once brought to the writer's laboratory. On examination it was found to contain iron pyrites and metallic gold in finely divided state. It was probably part of an ancient household treasure. A common practice was to make gold into jewelry with the dual purpose of ornamentation and of treasuring it. This custom still prevails, especially among the Moslems, who do not let out their money at interest. A poor woman will save her small coins until she has enough to buy a gold bracelet. This she will wear or put away against the day of need (compare Ge 24:22,53). It was weight and not beauty which was noted in the jewels (Ex 3:22; 11:2; 12:35). Gold coinage was unknown in the early Old Testament times.

4. Uses:

(1) The use of gold as the most convenient way of treasuring wealth is mentioned above.

(2) Jewelry took many forms: armlets (Nu 31:50), bracelets (Ge 24:22), chains (Ge 41:42), crescents (Jud 8:26), crowns (2Sa 12:30; 1Ch 20:2), earrings (Ex 32:2,3; Nu 31:50; Jud 8:24,26), rings (Ge 24:22; 41:42; Jas 2:2).

(3) Making and decorating objects in connection with places of worship: In the description of the building of the ark and the tabernacle in Ex 25 ff, we read of the lavish use of gold in overlaying wood and metals, and in shaping candlesticks, dishes, spoons, flagons, bowls, snuffers, curtain clasps, hooks, etc. (one estimate of the value of gold used is 90,000; see HDB). In 1Ki 6 ff; 1Ch 28 f; 2Ch 1 ff are records of still more extensive use of gold in building the temple.

(4) Idols were made of gold (Ex 20:23; 32:4; De 7:25; 29:17; 1Ki 12:28; Ps 115:4; 135:15; Isa 30:22; Re 9:20).

(5) Gold was used for lavish display. Among the fabulous luxuries of Solomon's court were his gold drinking-vessels (1Ki 10:21), a throne of ivory overlaid with gold (1Ki 10:18), and golden chariot trimmings (1Ch 28:18). Sacred treasure saved from votive offerings or portions dedicated from booty were principally gold (Ex 25:36; Nu 7:14,20,84,86; 31:50,52,54; Jos 6:19,24; 1Sa 6:8,11,15; 2Sa 8:11; 1Ch 18:7,10,11; 22:14,16; Mt 23:17). This treasure was the spoil most sought after by the enemy. It was paid to them as tribute (1Ki 15:15; 2Ki 12:18; 14:14; 16:8; 18:14-16; 23:33,15), or taken as plunder (2Ki 24:13; 25:15).

5. Figurative:

Gold is used to symbolize earthly riches (Job 3:15; 22:24; Isa 2:7; Mt 10:9; Ac 3:6; 20:33; Re 18:12). Finer than gold, which, physically speaking, is considered non-perishable, typifies incorruptibility (Ac 17:29; 1Pe 1:7,18; 3:3; Jas 5:3). Refining of gold is a figure for great purity or a test of (Job 23:10; Pr 17:3; Isa 1:25; Mal 3:2; 1Pe 1:7; Re 3:18). Gold was the most valuable of metals. It stood for anything of great value (Pr 3:14; 8:10,19; 16:16,22; 25:12), hence was most worthy for use in worshipping Yahweh (Ex 25 ff; Re 1:12,13,10, etc.), and the adornment of angels (Re 15:6) or saints (Ps 45:13). The head was called golden as being the most precious part of the body (So 5:11; Da 2:38; compare "the golden bowl," Ec 12:6). "The golden city" meant Babylon (Isa 14:4), as did also "the golden cup," sensuality (Jer 51:7). A crown of gold was synonymous with royal honor (Es 2:17; 6:8; Job 19:9; Re 4:4; 14:14). Wearing of gold typified lavish adornment and worldly luxury (Jer 4:30; 10:4; 1Ti 2:9; 1Pe 3:3; Re 17:4). Comparing men to gold suggested their nobility (La 4:1,2; 2Ti 2:20).

James A. Patch

Moby Thesaurus

affluence, aluminum, americium, and pence, assets, aureate, aureateness, auric, bar, barium, beige, beryllium, bismuth, bottomless purse, brass, brassy, brazen, bronze, bronzy, buff, buff-yellow, bulging purse, bullion, cadmium, calcium, canary, canary-yellow, cash, cerium, cesium, chrome, chromium, circulating medium, citron, citron-yellow, cobalt, coin gold, coin silver, coinage, coined liberty, cold cash, copper, coppery, cream, creamy, cupreous, cuprous, currency, dollars, dysprosium, easy circumstances, ecru, embarras de richesses, emergency money, erbium, europium, fallow, fallowness, ferrous, ferruginous, filthy lucre, flaxen, fortune, fractional currency, gadolinium, gallium, germanium, gilded, gilt, gold nugget, gold-colored, gold-filled, gold-plated, golden, handsome fortune, hard cash, hard currency, high income, high tax bracket, holmium, independence, indium, ingot, iridium, iron, ironlike, lanthanum, lead, leaden, legal tender, lemon, lemon-yellow, lithium, lucre, luteolous, lutescent, lutetium, luxuriousness, magnesia, magnesium, mammon, managed currency, manganese, material wealth, medium of exchange, mercurial, mercurous, mercury, mintage, molybdenum, money, money to burn, moneybags, necessity money, neodymium, nickel, nickelic, nickeline, niobium, nugget, ocherish, ocherous, ochery, ochreous, ochroid, ochrous, ochry, opulence, opulency, or, osmium, palladium, pelf, pewter, pewtery, phosphorus, platinum, polonium, possessions, postage currency, postal currency, potassium, pounds, praseodymium, precious metals, primrose, primrose-colored, primrose-yellow, promethium, property, prosperity, prosperousness, protactinium, quicksilver, radium, rhenium, riches, richness, rubidium, ruthenium, saffron, saffron-colored, saffron-yellow, sallow, samarium, sand-colored, sandy, scandium, scrip, shillings, silver, silver-plated, silvery, six-figure income, sodium, soft currency, specie, steel, steely, sterling, straw, straw-colored, strontium, substance, tantalum, technetium, terbium, thallium, the almighty dollar, the wherewith, the wherewithal, thulium, tin, tinny, titanium, treasure, tungsten, upper bracket, uranium, vanadium, wealth, wealthiness, wolfram, xanthic, xanthous, yellow, yellow stuff, yellowish, yellowishness, yellowness, ytterbium, yttrium, zinc, zirconium