Ophir

AI summary: Ophir matters less for what is known precisely about its location and more for what it represents in Scripture. It is the place from which exceptional gold and other prized goods are associated with Solomon's wealth and with the language of preciousness in poetry and prophecy. Because of that, Ophir becomes a shorthand for costly treasure at the far edge of the known trading world. The cross references present it as a place-name of value, distance, and royal luxury.¹

Some region famous for its gold (1 Kings 9:28; 10:11; 22:48; Job 22:24; 28:16; Isa. 13:12). In the LXX. this word is rendered “Sophir,” and “Sofir” is the Coptic name for India, which is the rendering of the Arabic version, as also of the Vulgate. Josephus has identified it with the Golden Chersonese, i.e., the Malay peninsula. It is now generally identified with Abhira, at the mouth of the Indus. Much may be said, however, in favour of the opinion that it was somewhere in Arabia. ³