Gold: The Patriarchs Were Rich In
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Gold, a precious metal highly valued for its rarity and beauty, holds significant importance throughout the biblical narrative. In the context of the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—gold symbolizes wealth, divine blessing, and covenantal promises. The patriarchs' wealth in gold is indicative of God's favor and the fulfillment of His promises to them.

Abraham's Wealth in Gold

Abraham, the father of many nations, is one of the earliest figures in the Bible associated with great wealth, including gold. In Genesis 13:2, the Berean Standard Bible states, "And Abram had become extremely wealthy in livestock and silver and gold." This wealth is a testament to God's blessing upon Abraham, as He promised to make him a great nation (Genesis 12:2). Abraham's possession of gold not only signifies material prosperity but also serves as a tangible sign of God's covenant with him.

Isaac's Inheritance and Prosperity

Isaac, the son of Abraham, inherited his father's wealth, including gold. Although the Bible does not explicitly detail Isaac's gold holdings, his prosperity is evident. Genesis 26:12-14 describes Isaac's success: "Now Isaac sowed seed in that land and reaped a hundredfold the same year. The LORD blessed him, and he became richer and richer, until he was exceedingly wealthy. He owned so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him." Isaac's wealth, including gold, underscores the continuation of God's covenantal blessings through Abraham's lineage.

Jacob's Accumulation of Wealth

Jacob, later named Israel, also amassed significant wealth, including gold, during his lifetime. His journey from Canaan to Haran and back is marked by divine encounters and blessings. In Genesis 31:1, Jacob's wealth is acknowledged: "Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, 'Jacob has taken away all that belonged to our father and built all this wealth at our father’s expense.'" Jacob's wealth, which would have included gold, is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham and his descendants.

Symbolism and Significance

Gold, in the lives of the patriarchs, symbolizes more than mere material wealth. It represents God's providence, the fulfillment of His promises, and the establishment of His covenant with His chosen people. The patriarchs' possession of gold is a reflection of their status as recipients of divine favor and a foreshadowing of the future prosperity of Israel.

Throughout the biblical narrative, gold remains a symbol of purity, value, and divine blessing. The patriarchs' wealth in gold serves as a foundational element in understanding God's relationship with His people and His unfolding plan of redemption.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Genesis 13:2
And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Empress Eudoxia from the Story of Christian Womanhood in Old ...
... in garments entirely made of silk and gold jewels and ... He was the last of the patriarchs
to stand ... the court, and henceforth the archbishops were but subservient ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/ix the empress eudoxia from.htm

Psalm LXXIII.
... branches broken off from the root of the Patriarchs because of ... for the sake of gold,
as if gold were a more ... sleep he became: had he not awoke, he were a rich ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxiii.htm

The City of God
... He who would not have a fly killed to make sure of the gold crown in the contest
of poets, looked with horror ... The Patriarchs of the old law were blest in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the city of god.htm

The Emperor and Empress
... glowing silk of her cradle inlaid with gold and ivory ... innumerable, one of the four
great Patriarchs of the ... the Postmaster-General, and while you were with the ...
/.../chapter xviii the emperor and.htm

Book I.
... than the Apostles: to say nothing of patriarchs and prophets ... of silver, compared
with one of gold, is inferior ... very discussions with which when we were boys we ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book i.htm

The Testament of Gad Concerning Hatred.
... The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs. ... because I hated him to the death, and there
were in no ... him to the Ishmaelites for thirty [160] pieces of gold, and ten ...
/.../the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/ix the testament of gad concerning.htm

Levi-Matthew
... Priests and scribes and rulers were fixed in a rut of ... has been given to the world
through patriarchs and prophets ... I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 28 levi-matthew.htm

A Spiritual Revival
... the arrival, the treasures of silver and gold, with the ... Great light shone forth from
patriarchs and prophets ... Glorious things were spoken of Zion, the City of God ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 51 a spiritual revival.htm

Letter Lxvi. To Pammachius.
... world: you do right therefore to follow the first of the patriarchs. ... [1988] Abraham
was rich in gold and silver ... Zacch??us was rich while the apostles were poor ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxvi to pammachius.htm

Chapter xiii
... The article with "cattle, silver and gold" is the ... definitely cast off Christ, they
were definitely as ... the city near which the patriarchs particularly delighted ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiii.htm

Resources
What is the menorah? | GotQuestions.org

Why does the Bible speak against braided hair? | GotQuestions.org

What was the tabernacle of Moses? | GotQuestions.org

Gold: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Alchemy

Gold

Gold for the Temple

Gold used As Money

Gold used in the Arts in Ornamenting the Priests' Garments

Gold used in the Arts: Apparel

Gold used in the Arts: Beaten Work

Gold used in the Arts: Bedsteads Made of

Gold used in the Arts: Crowns Made of

Gold used in the Arts: Into Ornaments

Gold used in the Arts: Made Into Wire Threads and Worked Into Embroidered Tapestry

Gold used in the Arts: Modeled Into Forms of Fruits

Gold used in the Arts: Overlaying With

Gold used in the Arts: Shields of

Gold used in the Arts: The Lampstands Made of, for the Tabernacle

Gold was Used for Chains

Gold was Used for Couches

Gold was Used for Crowns

Gold was Used for Earrings

Gold was Used for Footstools

Gold was Used for Idols

Gold was Used for Mercy Seat and Cherubims

Gold was Used for Ornaments

Gold was Used for Overlaying Cherubims in Temple

Gold was Used for Overlaying Floor of Temple

Gold was Used for Overlaying the Ark

Gold was Used for Overlaying the Tabernacle

Gold was Used for Overlaying the Temple

Gold was Used for Overlaying Throne of Solomon

Gold was Used for Rings

Gold was Used for Sacred Candlesticks

Gold was Used for Sacred Utensils

Gold was Used for Sceptres

Gold was Used for Shields

Gold was Used for Vessels

Gold: Abounded in Havilah

Gold: Abounded in Ophir

Gold: Abounded in Parvaim

Gold: Abounded in Sheba

Gold: Abundance of, in Solomon's Reign

Gold: Altar Lamps, and Other Articles Made of

Gold: An Article of Commerce

Gold: Babylonish Empire

Gold: Belongs to God

Gold: Estimated by Weight

Gold: Exacted As Tribute

Gold: Exported from Havilah

Gold: Figurative

Gold: Found in the Earth

Gold: from Ophir

Gold: Fusible

Gold: Given As Presents

Gold: Imported by Solomon

Gold: Jews Condemned for Multiplying

Gold: Kings of Israel not to Multiply

Gold: Liable to Canker and Rust

Gold: Liable to Grow Dim

Gold: Malleable

Gold: Most Valuable when Pure and Fine

Gold: Offerings of, for Tabernacle

Gold: Offerings of, for Temple

Gold: Parvaim

Gold: Precious

Gold: Priestly and Royal Garments Adorned With

Gold: Refined

Gold: Refined and Tried by Fire

Gold: Saints After Affliction

Gold: Sheba

Gold: Solomon Rich In

Gold: Symbolical

Gold: Taken in War, Dedicated to God

Gold: Tarshish

Gold: The Doctrines of Grace

Gold: The Patriarchs Were Rich In

Gold: Tried Faith

Gold: True Converts

Gold: Uphaz

Gold: Valuable

Gold: Vanity of Heaping Up

Gold: Vessels and Utensils Made of, for the Tabernacle

Gold: Wedge of

Gold: Working In, a Trade

Gold: Yellow

Related Terms

Gold-worker (6 Occurrences)

Gold-workers (2 Occurrences)

Gold-covered (1 Occurrence)

Gold-woven (1 Occurrence)

Gold-embroidered (1 Occurrence)

Gold-plated (1 Occurrence)

Settings (19 Occurrences)

Body-covers (25 Occurrences)

Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences)

Breastpiece (21 Occurrences)

Spoons (11 Occurrences)

Shields (44 Occurrences)

Basons (9 Occurrences)

Breast-plate (22 Occurrences)

Spice (25 Occurrences)

Cups (28 Occurrences)

Applied (22 Occurrences)

Basins (33 Occurrences)

Costly (26 Occurrences)

Quantities (13 Occurrences)

Censers (11 Occurrences)

Candlesticks (11 Occurrences)

Alloyed (4 Occurrences)

Signet (21 Occurrences)

Snuffers (8 Occurrences)

Acacia (28 Occurrences)

Corners (56 Occurrences)

Braided (10 Occurrences)

Buds (20 Occurrences)

Adorned (20 Occurrences)

Staffs (47 Occurrences)

Cherubs (52 Occurrences)

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)

Curious (18 Occurrences)

Shittim (34 Occurrences)

Bracelet (5 Occurrences)

Byssus (40 Occurrences)

Yarn (37 Occurrences)

Supports (25 Occurrences)

Bowls (47 Occurrences)

Craftsman (23 Occurrences)

Valuable (17 Occurrences)

Border (233 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Bars (50 Occurrences)

Bekas (3 Occurrences)

Beryl (12 Occurrences)

Crossbars (8 Occurrences)

Attach (12 Occurrences)

Store-house (23 Occurrences)

Sockets (44 Occurrences)

Shield (65 Occurrences)

Stuff (49 Occurrences)

Staves (50 Occurrences)

Stored (55 Occurrences)

1000 (7 Occurrences)

Vase (3 Occurrences)

Craftsmen (22 Occurrences)

Capitals (21 Occurrences)

Scissors (5 Occurrences)

Quantity (18 Occurrences)

Valued (27 Occurrences)

Skillful (42 Occurrences)

Chain (21 Occurrences)

Copper (55 Occurrences)

Skilful (38 Occurrences)

Beaten (73 Occurrences)

Cunning (43 Occurrences)

Articles (78 Occurrences)

Scarlet (54 Occurrences)

Shekel (37 Occurrences)

Covered (325 Occurrences)

Yearly (16 Occurrences)

Knobs (9 Occurrences)

Knops (8 Occurrences)

Bucklers (9 Occurrences)

Bracelets (10 Occurrences)

Bulbs (6 Occurrences)

Buckler (19 Occurrences)

Gold: The Doctrines of Grace
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