When you hear the word gold, the first thing that comes to mind is being the most precious and expensive metal on earth.
We are used to seeing leaders, celebrities, and high-profile individuals rocking in golden things. That’s because they can afford it.
Have you seen a local high school or a police officer rocking in such jewelry? I guess not. It’s because it’s highly priced that only the wealthy people can afford.
But have you ever thought about what gold means spiritually? What does it symbolize? Keep reading to learn more!
Spiritual Meaning Of Gold In The Bible
In the ancient times, gold was regarded as the most valuable metal. And even today, it is still a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Biblically, it has the same meanings but with others.
Now that we have already mentioned what gold represents in the bible, gold is a symbol of worth, wealth, and value. It also symbolizes purity.
Gold goes through a purification process, which seems to be closer to the sanction process.
This process is mentioned in Jeremiah 9:7 and Job 23:10. Believers undergoing the sanction process is God refining them.
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
Job 23:10
This process is all about giving God praise, honor, and glory. So, the purification process is an image of the sanction process meant to help believers understand the purpose of suffering.
Psalm 19:10 associates gold as a measuring value unit. The word of God is said to be of greater value and desirable than gold. So, biblically, God is the most valuable person.
We will discuss later what gold represents in the biblical perspective below.
“They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.”
Job 23:10
Also, take a look at the Biblical meaning of a ring in dreams.
What Does Gold Represent In The Bible? 5 Scriptures
1) God’s valuable property
“His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy, and black as raven.”
Song of Solomon 5:11
Gold is also mentioned in the same book, 5:11-14. In these verses, gold is used in tabernacles and temples, as this is how much believers value God.
This metal was also used by the believers to praise the extraordinary beauty of God in heaven. Additionally, gold was used to make other items holy.
For instance, the oil used in anointing Aaron was made of olive and balsam oil from the crushed gold bowls.
So, it’s clear that gold held a significant value and represented a property of great value to God. This shows God’s greatness and power.
2) A reminder of how important wisdom is
Even though Solomon was the wealthiest in the ancient world, to him, gold was not the most important thing. This is evident from one of his books:
“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”
Proverbs 3:13-14
So, he considered wisdom the most important thing for those who understand God’s word. He even stresses God’s wisdom as being more important than gold and silver yields.
“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!”
Proverbs 16:16
3) A measure of wealth
In the ancient period, even today, gold is used to determine a person’s worth.
“All King Solomon’s goblets were gold, and all the household articles in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Nothing was made of silver, because silver was considered of little value in Solomon’s days.”
1 Kings 10:21
This verse suggests that Solomon was the wealthiest during his time and had 25 tons of gold collected each year.
Everything in his surroundings was made of gold. So, gold is a representation of a person’s worth.
4) A symbol of worship
There are various instances in which gold was used as an important item in places of worship.
For instance, in Exodus 25, gold was used to decorate some objects in the Tabernacle and Noah’s ark.
1 Kings 6 talks of how gold was used as an overlay of wood and shaping hooks, dishes, snuffers, bottles, and candlesticks.
As mentioned earlier, gold was regarded as a valuable property of God, so its representation and use for decoration in worship places work just fine.
5) A symbol of heaven
“The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.”
Revelation 21:18
This is a description of how gold is used all over heaven. Gold was used in honor of God as the worthy King.
It is also seen as a representation of perseverance for those who adhere to God’s laws and make it to heaven. These people will enjoy eternal life and dine with the Kings of Kings.
I believe you should also take a look at the spiritual meaning of jewelry falling off.
What Does Gold Symbolize?
Now that you know what gold represents, here is what it symbolizes:
- A symbol of wealth in the material world;
- A symbol of divinity as it’s associated with royalty and decorations of tabernacles;
- It symbolizes renewal and transformation, as once it melts down, it can be used to make anything;
- A symbol of wealth, prosperity, and abundance;
- Gold symbolizes strength and protection as it makes strong armor and shields for battle;
- A symbol of endurance. This metal resists wear and tear.
What Does Gold Represent Spiritually?
Spiritually, gold has numerous meanings. It is associated with divinity and represents transformation and spiritual enlightenment.
Some traditions also see gold as representing wisdom, purity, and spiritual enlightenment. Biblically, gold is associated with wealth, purity, glory, and value.
Gold is pure. Even fire cannot destroy it but makes it more pure. This is the same thing that happens to us Christians after baptism and purification. We get cleansed and accept Jesus as our savior.
Also, in Job 23:10 it says that gold refines his believers. Job says after God puts him to the test, he will be pure like gold.
So gold reminds us that whether we face good or bad times, God will always be with us.
Is Wearing Or Having Gold A Good Biblical Thing?
Wearing or having gold is a good biblical thing. However, its nothing compared to God’s wisdom. Gold was used as a measure of wealth.
The same thing is visible today just look at celebrities and high-profile persons. They possess gold chains, rings, necklaces, and other jewelry made of gold.
From the story of Solomon, everything surrounding him was made of gold. And because of this, Solomon became the wealthiest man in the bible.
But, to Solomon, even with all that wealth, nothing outshines wisdom.
When you go through Revelation 21, it talks about the second coming of Jesus Christ and how the streets of the new city were paved with gold.
This symbolized how believers should be refined and purified. We can enter this city by confessing our sins. So, yes, wearing or having gold is a good biblical.
Before you leave, also take a look at the Biblical meaning of finding pennies.
Final Words
As much as gold associates with good things, we can also view it as a god of money. As believers, you can’t worship God and money.
Spiritually, gold is having faith and making God the center of everything.
So, just as Solomon said, nothing is greater than wisdom if you understand God’s teachings and laws.