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Ophir
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Ophir (; ) is a port or region mentioned in the Bible, famous for its wealth. Its existence is attested to by an inscribed pottery shard found at Tell Qasile (in modern-day Tel Aviv) in 1946, dating to the eighth century BC, which reads "gold of Ophir to/for Beth-Horon [...] 30 shekels". The location of Ophir is unknown, though the find confirms it as a real place which exported gold.

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  • Biblical references
  • Theorized locations
  • Possible ancient trade routes
  • Sumatra and Malay Peninsula
  • Sri Lanka
  • India
  • Ryukyu Islands
  • Africa
  • Mahd adh Dhahab, Arabia
  • Inspiration or named after
  • Americas
  • Australia and New Zealand
  • Solomon Islands
  • Mars
  • See also
  • Notes
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  • Bibliography
  • External links

Ophir (; ) is a port or region mentioned in the Bible, famous for its wealth. Its existence is attested to by an inscribed pottery shard found at Tell Qasile (in modern-day Tel Aviv) in 1946, dating to the eighth century BC, which reads "gold of Ophir to/for Beth-Horon [...] 30 shekels". The location of Ophir is unknown, though the find confirms it as a real place which exported gold.

==Biblical references== Ophir in Genesis 10 (the Table of Nations) is said to be the name of one of the sons of Joktan. The Books of Kings and Chronicles tell of a joint expedition to Ophir by King Solomon and the Tyrian king Hiram I from Ezion-Geber, a port on the Red Sea, that brought back large amounts of gold, precious stones and 'algum wood' and of a later failed expedition by king Jehoshaphat of Judah. The famous 'gold of Ophir' is referenced in several other books of the Hebrew Bible, in particular Isaiah 13:12 refers to the "golden wedge of Ophir".

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