Background to Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, and Citizenship

1. Gold

   In English from earlier Germanic word, in French "or", Italian and Spanish oro, Latin aurum (oww-rum), Greek chrysos (kreesos), Hebrew ZHB (za-hav) H2091 metal. HRS (charuts) H2742 highly valued fine diligent, probable base of Greek Chrysos. Used by Solomon in Proverbs.

2. Silver

   In English, derived from German "silber", Latin argentum (ar-jentum), Greek arguros / Modern Greek asimi (aseemee), Hebrew KSP (kesef)

3. Copper

   In English, derived from German "kup-fer", Latin cuprum, Greek xalkos (khalkos), Hebrew N Kh V Sh T (ne-khoshet). In French cuivre, Spanish cobre,
   Italian rame (rah-may), becoming first Aeramen from "Aes" and "Ore" then Rame (Rah-may).

4. Iron

   In English, derived from German "eisen", Latin ferrum, Greek sidero (see-dero), Hebrew BRZL (bar-zel).

The History of Copper

Anciently mined in Cyprus (Kypros in Greek), an island also known for its cypress trees. Copper, bronze, brass then became known as Cuprum in Latin.
The island Cyprus today is Chypre (Shee-per in French), Chipre (Chee-pree in Spanish), Cipro (Chipro) in modern Italian, Zypern (Tsee-pan in German),
Kafriseen קַפרִיסִין in Modern Hebrew and Kittim or Kitee-im כתי , כתיים in Biblical Hebrew (Chittim in KJV) the grandson of Japheth via his son Javan (Ion i.e. Greece) Genesis 10:4, 1 Chronicles 1:7. Josephus references an ancient city on the island called Citium, probably the basis of the modern word City - "settled".

Citizenship

In Latin, Civitas (state of being a Citizen), and Civis, civil. Note, too, "Polished, Polite" from Latin "Politus" - "Smooth" & its probable origin in "Polis", the Greek word for City with Politis - Citizen, Polemikos - War.

In Hebrew a modern citizen of Israel is H249 Ezrach (see too H248 ezrowa arm, H247 azar gird)
From H2220 zrowa (the arm stretched out). From H2231, H2232, H2233 Zara Seed, Sow, Issue. See also H2224 Zarach Arise

See ZHR (Zo-hair) a word in Ezekiel 8:2 translated as "brightness", and normally translated as "teach" or "warn".

Contrasting Zahav and Charuts (Gold), see these thoughts

AI Overview
In the Old Testament, Zahav (זָהָב) is the most common Hebrew word for gold, while Charuts (חָרוּץ), derived from a root meaning "sharp" or "diligent," refers to something valuable and finely wrought, such as intricate gold jewelry or adornments. While zahav signifies gold as a material and a symbol of wealth and divine perfection, charuts describes gold when it is expertly crafted or used in fine ornamentation.

Zahav (זהב):

• Definition: Shimmer.
• Usage: Appears over 400 times in the Bible and is the primary word for gold, whether as a precious commodity, a color (like "gold-colored oil"), or a metaphor for something precious like God's words or a prince's name.
• In Exodus 25:10-12 It was used to overlay the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat, representing purity and divine presence.
• In Exodus 32 The golden calf incident shows how zahav could be misused for idolatry.

Charuts (חָרוּץ):

• Definition: A word for gold that comes from a root meaning "to cut," "incise," or "sharply cut".
• Usage: While translated as "gold," its root meaning is reflected in its use for things that are sharply cut, such as a valley of "decision" in Joel 3:14, where God delivers an irreversible verdict.
• Symbolism: Carries a sense of preciousness, value, and a definitive edge, representing both physical gold and spiritual finality.
• Its meaning of being "diligently crafted" adds a layer of purpose to the use of gold, beyond just its material value.
• In Proverbs 16:16 It's used to describe wisdom as being more valuable than "charuts" in its monetary sense, highlighting wisdom's preciousness. It can also be used to describe a sharp or diligent person.

In essence, while both words relate to gold, "charuts" often carries a more nuanced meaning, emphasizing its value and sometimes its refined state or associated qualities like diligence, while "zahav" is the straightforward term for the metal.

See too OR the original Hebrew word for "Light", the Greek word "AIRO" meaning "Take up" in Mark 2:11, and the Latin word for gold "AURUM" which gives the chemical symbol "Au" and is etymologically related to the word "aurora" meaning "dawn". To "glow" or "shine" is also the origin of the English word "ore", any naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted profitably.

** End of Page (and thoughts)

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