Ophir

Ophir
/oh"feuhr/, n.
a country of uncertain location, possibly southern Arabia or the eastern coast of Africa, from which gold and precious stones and trees were brought for Solomon. I Kings 10:11.

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▪ ancient region
      unidentified region famous in Old Testament times for its fine gold. The geographic list of Genesis 10 apparently places it in Arabia, but in the time of Solomon (c. 920 BC), Ophir was thought of as being overseas. Gold, almug (or algum) wood (i.e., sandalwood), ivory, monkeys, and peacocks were procured there. Many areas of the Arabian Peninsula have been proposed as the site of Ophir; the principal alternative locations overseas are East Africa and India.

      That many Egyptian pharaohs reported sending naval expeditions to Punt (Somaliland) for monkeys, ivory, frankincense, and slaves lends credence to an East African site. On the other hand, the Jewish historian Josephus and St. Jerome evidently understood that India was the location of Ophir. The Hebrew words for the products of Ophir may be derived from Indian languages; furthermore, sandalwood and peacocks are commonly found in India, whereas, at least in modern times, they do not exist in East Africa.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • OPHIR — (Heb. אוֹפִר, אוֹפִיר), a country in the biblical period, well known for its gold. Trade between Palestine and Ophir was possible by sea from the port of Ezion Geber, but only in the time of Solomon was an attempt made to reach Ophir and take… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Ophir — • A people and a country mentioned in the Bible Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Ophir     Ophir     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Ophir — (en Hébreu אוֹפִיר) est un port ou une région mentionné dans la Bible qui était connu pour sa richesse, notamment l or. Le roi Salomon est censé avoir reçu tous les trois ans une cargaison d or, d argent, de bois (probablement de santal), de… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Ophir — Ophir, CO U.S. town in Colorado Population (2000): 113 Housing Units (2000): 55 Land area (2000): 0.160876 sq. miles (0.416667 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.160876 sq. miles (0.416667 sq. km) …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

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  • Ophir, CO — U.S. town in Colorado Population (2000): 113 Housing Units (2000): 55 Land area (2000): 0.160876 sq. miles (0.416667 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.160876 sq. miles (0.416667 sq. km) FIPS code …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Ophir, UT — U.S. town in Utah Population (2000): 23 Housing Units (2000): 33 Land area (2000): 0.160895 sq. miles (0.416717 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.160895 sq. miles (0.416717 sq. km) FIPS code:… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Ophir — Ophir, kum. Ofir das; s (meist ohne Artikel) <über lat. Ophir, gr. Oupheír aus gleichbed. hebr. ôfɪ̲r> fernes, sagenhaftes Goldland im Alten Testament …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • Ophir — name of a place mentioned in O.T. as a source for fine gold, location still unknown. Hence Ophir gold (1610s) …   Etymology dictionary

  • Ophir — [ō′fər] n. [Heb ōphīr] Bible a land rich in gold: 1 Kings 9:28; 10:11; 2 Chron. 8:18 …   English World dictionary

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