Golden Calf
Created by the Israelites while Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai (Exodus 32).
Arc of the Covenant
While not entirely made of gold, it was overlaid with gold, including its cherubim (Exodus 25:10-22). See Arc of the Covenant
Temple of Solomon
Many items in the temple were made of gold or overlaid with gold, including the altar, table for the Bread of the Presence, lampstands, utensils, and more (1 Kings 6-7).
Golden Lampstand (Menorah)
In the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, this was a pure gold lampstand with seven lamps (Exodus 25:31-40).
Golden Altar of Incense
Located in the Tabernacle and the Temple, it was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold (Exodus 30:1-5).
Golden Plates, Dishes, Cups, and Bowls
Used in the Tabernacle and Temple for various purposes (Exodus 25:29; Numbers 7:13-89).
Golden Earrings
Worn by the Israelites and used to make the Golden Calf (Exodus 32:2-4).
Golden Breastplate
Part of the High Priest’s garments, containing twelve precious stones set in gold (Exodus 28:15-21).
Golden Bells
Part of the High Priest’s robe (Exodus 28:33-35).
Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Statue
A giant statue made by King Nebuchadnezzar that he commanded people to worship (Daniel 3).
Golden Crown
Worn by the High Priest, bearing the inscription “Holy to the LORD” (Exodus 39:30).
Gold in the New Jerusalem
In Revelation, the city of New Jerusalem is described as having streets of pure gold (Revelation 21:21).
Golden Nose Rings and Jewelry
Mentioned in various contexts, often as adornments and gifts (e.g., Genesis 24:22).
Golden Shields
Used by King Solomon’s army (1 Kings 10:16-17) and later by King Rehoboam, although Rehoboam’s were eventually replaced with bronze shields (1 Kings 14:26-28).
Golden Idols and Gods
Several passages mention golden idols worshipped by various people, contrary to the worship of the God of Israel (e.g., Isaiah 31:7).
Golden Cups and Other Vessels
Taken from the Temple in Jerusalem and used by King Belshazzar in a feast, leading to the writing on the wall incident (Daniel 5:1-4).
Golden Scepter
Held by kings and rulers, including in the story of Esther, where King Xerxes extends a golden scepter to Esther (Esther 4:11, 5:2).
Golden Earrings and Ornaments
Worn by Gideon’s army and the Ishmaelites (Judges 8:24, Genesis 37:28).
Golden Chains
Used as adornments and symbols of authority (Daniel 5:29).
Golden Serpent (Nehushtan)
Made by Moses as a cure for snake bites, later destroyed by King Hezekiah for being an object of idol worship (Numbers 21:9, 2 Kings 18:4).
Golden Thrones
Used by kings, including Solomon’s impressive throne described in 1 Kings 10:18-20.
Golden Head of the Statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
Representing the Babylonian Empire in the dream interpreted by Daniel (Daniel 2:32-38).
Gold in Parables and Teachings of Jesus
For example, the parable of the gold coins (talents) in Matthew 25:14-30.
Golden Censer
Used in the Tabernacle and the Temple for burning incense (Hebrews 9:4).
Golden Belt
Worn by angels or divine beings in visions, such as in Revelation 1:13.
Golden Crowns
Mentioned in various prophetic visions, including the Book of Revelation, symbolizing authority and victory (Revelation 4:4, 14:14).
Golden Earrings in the Story of Aaron’s Golden Calf
Apart from their use in creating the calf, earrings are specifically mentioned as being collected by Aaron (Exodus 32:2-3).
Golden Garments or Cloth
In some translations and interpretations, certain garments or cloth used in the Tabernacle or worn by priests are described as being made with gold or golden threads (Exodus 28:6-8).
Golden Hair
In allegorical or symbolic descriptions, such as in the Song of Solomon, gold is used to describe the beauty of hair (Song of Solomon 4:1, 7:1).
Golden Jewelry in the Book of Isaiah
Isaiah mentions gold jewelry as a symbol of pride and luxury (Isaiah 3:18-23).
Golden Urn Holding the Manna
In the Ark of the Covenant, there was a golden urn holding the manna, as a reminder of the Israelites’ time in the wilderness (Hebrews 9:4).
Golden Sickle
In Revelation, a golden sickle is used in the context of the harvest of the earth (Revelation 14:14-19).
Golden Pillars or Columns
In descriptions of Solomon’s Temple and other structures, gold may be used to describe ornate pillars or columns (1 Kings 7:21, 2 Chronicles 3:4).
Golden Cities or Nations
Metaphorical references to cities or nations, such as “Ophir,” noted for their gold (1 Kings 9:28, 1 Chronicles 29:4).
Golden Vine and Clusters
Herod’s Temple, which existed during Jesus’ time, famously had a golden vine on the front of the Holy Place (mentioned in historical texts such as those of Josephus).
Golden Images in Daniel’s Interpretation of Dreams
Besides the statue’s golden head, Daniel’s interpretations of dreams often involve gold as a symbol of kingdoms and power (Daniel 2, Daniel 7).
Golden Horse Bridles
In the visions of Revelation, there are references to golden bridles, symbolizing control and majesty (Revelation 9:17).
Golden Bowl in Ecclesiastes
Symbolizing the fragility of life, as in “the golden bowl is broken” (Ecclesiastes 12:6).
Golden Trumpets
Used in religious ceremonies and possibly in the Temple service (Numbers 10:2, Psalms 98:6).
Gold as a Commodity in Trade and Wealth
Gold is often mentioned in the context of trade, wealth, and commerce in various Biblical stories and parables (1 Kings 9:11, Ezekiel 27:22).
Golden Key
Symbolic in nature, representing authority and access, as in Isaiah 22:22 and Revelation 3:7.
Golden Diadem or Tiara
Mentioned in prophetic imagery or as part of regal attire (Zechariah 9:16, Isaiah 62:3).
Golden Jewelry in the Prodigal Son
In Jesus’ parable, the returning son is given a ring, often depicted as gold in artistic and literary interpretations (Luke 15:22).
Gold Dust
Mentioned in some translations and interpretations, particularly in the context of wealth, splendor, or idolatry (1 Kings 10:14-29, Job 22:24).
The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents, 15 not including the revenues from merchants and traders and from all the Arabian kings and the governors of the territories.
16 King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. 17 He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold, with three minas of gold in each shield. The king put them in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.
18 Then the king made a great throne covered with ivory and overlaid with fine gold. 19 The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them. 20 Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom. 21 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. 22 The king had a fleet of trading ships at sea along with the ships of Hiram. Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.
23 King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. 24 The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. 25 Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.
26 Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. 27 The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. 28 Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue—the royal merchants purchased them from Kue at the current price. 29 They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty.[g] They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.
1 Kings 10:14-29
and assign your nuggets to the dust,
your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines,
Job 22:24
Golden Vessels in the Prophets’ Visions
Various prophets describe visions involving golden vessels or objects, symbolizing divine messages or judgments (Zechariah, Daniel).
Gold in Parables of Jesus
Gold is used metaphorically in several of Jesus’ parables to represent something of great value or worth (Matthew 13:44-46).
Gold as a Gift to Jesus
One of the gifts brought by the Magi to Jesus was gold, symbolizing His kingship (Matthew 2:11).
Golden City Gates
In the vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation, the twelve gates are each made of a single pearl, and the streets of the city are of pure gold (Revelation 21:21).
Golden Measuring Reed or Rod
In the visions of Revelation, a golden reed is used to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship in it, symbolizing divine standards and judgment (Revelation 11:1).
Golden Cords or Chains
Although not explicitly mentioned in most translations, some interpretative texts and artistic depictions use golden cords or chains to represent concepts like divine connection or the binding of sacred texts.
Golden Harvest Tools
In some parables or teachings, golden tools may symbolize the preciousness or divine nature of the harvest, representing souls or righteous deeds (Matthew 9:37-38, though not explicitly described as golden).
Golden Footstool
In some Psalms, the Earth is metaphorically referred to as God’s footstool, and in the context of divine splendor, this is sometimes artistically represented or imagined as golden (Psalms 99:5, 132:7).
Golden Seal or Signet
In various historical and interpretative texts, a golden seal or signet ring represents authority and authenticity, as in the story of Esther (Esther 8:2).
Golden Mantle or Cloak
In visions or symbolic descriptions, a golden mantle or cloak might represent divine authority or protection (as in artistic depictions or allegorical interpretations).
Golden Coverings or Veils
In the Tabernacle or Temple, some interpret the fine linen or coverings as interwoven with gold, symbolizing the divine glory and presence (Exodus 26:1, though the text doesn’t explicitly say gold).
Golden Girdle or Belt
Mentioned in visions, particularly in the Book of Revelation, where beings or angels are described as wearing golden girdles, symbolizing purity and divine authority (Revelation 1:13).
- Golden Sprinkling Bowl or Basin: Used in ceremonial cleansings and sacrifices, though not explicitly described as gold in the primary texts, some traditional interpretations and artistic representations depict them as golden.
- Gold as a Symbol in Prophecy: Gold is often used symbolically in prophetic literature to represent purity, divinity, and uncorrupted wealth (e.g., Zechariah 13:9).
- Gold in Lamentations and Mourning: Gold is sometimes used to contrast former glory with current desolation in lamentations or mourning texts (Lamentations 4:1).
- Golden Wine Cups: In certain parables or teachings, golden cups may symbolize the preciousness of divine wrath or judgment (Jeremiah 51:7, Revelation 17:4).
- Golden Objects in Dreams and Visions: Various dreams and visions in the Bible use gold to represent kingdoms, divine messages, or judgments (e.g., Daniel’s visions, John’s visions in Revelation).
