Original Word: דְּהַב
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: dhab
Pronunciation: deh-hab'
Phonetic Spelling: (deh-hab')
KJV: gold(-en)
NASB: gold, golden
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H2091 (זָהָב - gold)]

1. gold

gold en

(Aramaic) corresponding to zahab; gold -- gold(- en).

see HEBREW zahab

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to zahab
Definition
gold
NASB Translation
gold (17), golden (6).

דָּהָב₂₃ noun masculine^{Daniel 2:32} gold (so ᵑ7 Syriac; Biblical Hebrew זָהָב); — absolute ׳ד Daniel 2:32 +, דְּהַ֑ב Ezra 7:15; emphatic דַּהֲבָה Ezra 5:14; Ezra 6:5; Ezra 7:18, בָא- Daniel 2:35 15t. Daniel.

Definition and Overview

דְּהַב (dahab) designates literal gold in the Aramaic sections of Ezra and Daniel. Across twenty-three appearances it functions both as physical treasure and as a spiritual signpost: in Ezra it supports the rebuilding of the temple, while in Daniel it exposes the vanity of human kingdoms when measured against the everlasting dominion of God.

Occurrences in Ezra: Temple Restoration and Provision

Ezra records imperial generosity that channels gold back to Jerusalem for covenant purposes.
• Ezra 5:14 recounts Cyrus returning “the gold and silver articles of the house of God,” affirming the Lord’s sovereignty over pagan kings.
• Ezra 6:5 orders these same vessels to be restored so that “the house of God may be rebuilt on its original site,” underscoring God’s faithfulness to His promises.
• Ezra 7:15–18 highlights Artaxerxes sending “silver and gold” for sacrifices and temple maintenance, with further gifts invited from Israel’s remnant: a model of voluntary, joyful giving for worship.

The narrative shows wealth redeemed from exile and redirected toward holy service, teaching that material resources find their highest purpose in advancing God’s dwelling among His people.

Occurrences in Daniel: Imperial Splendor and Divine Supremacy

1. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream (Daniel 2:32, 35, 38, 45). Gold forms the head of the statue, symbolizing Babylon’s unmatched splendor yet destined to be shattered by the stone “cut without human hands.” Human glory, however illustrious, is temporary when confronted with the kingdom of the Messiah.
2. The Golden Image (Daniel 3:1, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 18). The ninety-foot statue epitomizes state-sponsored idolatry. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s refusal to bow demonstrates fidelity to God above the threat of fiery persecution—a perennial call to the church to resist cultural pressures that weaponize wealth and power against true worship.
3. Belshazzar’s Feast (Daniel 5:2–4, 7, 16, 23, 29). Sacred vessels of gold are profaned at the banquet, provoking the divine verdict: “You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting” (Daniel 5:27). Gold here becomes evidence in God’s courtroom, proving that misuse of holy things invites swift judgment.

Historical Context and Material Culture

Babylon and Persia were flush with bullion drawn from conquest and an expanding trade network; their treasuries could finance monumental projects and lavish ceremonies. Scripture’s matter-of-fact references to vast quantities of gold reflect real Near-Eastern economics yet also reveal a theological tension: while empires flaunted their wealth, the true God directed it toward His redemptive agenda—whether through Cyrus’s edict or by overthrowing arrogant rulers.

Theological Symbolism of Gold

• Glory and Majesty: Gold’s incorruptibility mirrors God’s own nature (compare Psalms 19:10).
• Purity Tested by Fire: Daniel 3’s furnace and later New Testament imagery (1 Peter 1:7) employ refining to illustrate tested faith.
• Value Directed to Worship: In Ezra, gold underwrites offerings and utensils that point to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
• False Security: Daniel exposes gold as an idol when severed from submission to God; empires trust in glitter that cannot save.

Applications for Faith and Ministry

1. Stewardship: Godly leaders receive, record, and allocate resources transparently (Ezra 8:24–30). Churches should emulate this integrity, treating funds as sacred trust.
2. Worship over Wealth: Belshazzar turned worship into revelry; the result was national collapse. Every generation must guard the sanctuary from commercialization.
3. Courageous Witness: The three Hebrews show that loyalty to God outranks economic or social advancement, offering a template for believers in marketplace and government settings.

Prophetic and Eschatological Echoes

Gold’s luster anticipates the eschaton, where the New Jerusalem’s streets “are pure gold, as transparent glass” (Revelation 21:21). The contrast is deliberate: earthly gold rusts under divine judgment (Daniel 5), but redeemed creation will radiate unfading glory. Thus dahab points forward to a kingdom where material and spiritual values perfectly align under the reign of the Lamb.

דְהַ֔ב דְהַ֣ב דַּהֲבָ֔א דַּהֲבָ֛א דַּהֲבָ֣א דַּהֲבָ֧א דַּהֲבָֽא׃ דַהֲבָ֔א דַהֲבָ֖א דַהֲבָ֣ה דַהֲבָֽא׃ דַהֲבָא֙ דהב דהבא דהבא׃ דהבה וְ֠דַהֲבָא וְדַהֲבָ֔א וְדַהֲבָ֖ה וְדַהֲבָ֗א וּדְהַ֑ב וּדְהַ֔ב ודהב ודהבא ודהבה da·hă·ḇā ḏa·hă·ḇā ḏa·hă·ḇāh dahăḇā ḏahăḇā ḏahăḇāh dahaVa dahaVah ḏə·haḇ ḏəhaḇ deHav ū·ḏə·haḇ ūḏəhaḇ udeHav vedahaVa vedahaVah wə·ḏa·hă·ḇā wə·ḏa·hă·ḇāh wəḏahăḇā wəḏahăḇāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts