### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word gáza (γάζα, `{{G1047}}`) is a term of foreign origin, likely Persian, denoting "treasure" or a "treasury." Its core meaning refers to a collection of valuable items, typically money, precious metals, or jewels, that are stored away, often in a secure location. The term implies not merely wealth in general, but a specific, accumulated store of riches, sometimes with a connotation of royal or state wealth. Unlike broader terms for "riches," gáza points to the physical repository or the contents of a treasury.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term gáza appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in [[Acts 8:27]]. In this passage, it describes the material possessions under the charge of the Ethiopian eunuch: "And he arose and went; and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her *treasure* (γάζα), had come to Jerusalem to worship."
The context here is entirely literal. The eunuch is identified as a high-ranking official responsible for the financial assets of the Queen of Ethiopia. The gáza he managed signifies his considerable worldly power, influence, and trust placed in him by the queen. This detail establishes his significant social and economic standing, providing a backdrop against which his spiritual journey and conversion are later highlighted. The term itself is descriptive, not metaphorical, emphasizing the tangible nature of his responsibilities.
### Related Words & Concepts
While gáza (`{{G1047}}`) is rare, the concept of "treasure" is prominent in the New Testament, often conveyed by other Greek terms:
* Thesauros (θησαυρός, `{{G2344}}`): This is the most common Greek word for "treasure" or "storehouse." It can refer to physical wealth ([[Matthew 6:19]]) or, more frequently, to spiritual riches ([[Matthew 6:20]], [[Colossians 2:3]]). Thesauros is broader in its semantic range than gáza, encompassing both the stored goods and the place where they are stored, and is frequently used metaphorically by Jesus.
* Ploutos (πλοῦτος, `{{G4149}}`): Meaning "riches" or "wealth," often used in a more abstract sense to refer to abundance, whether material ([[Luke 8:14]]) or spiritual ([[Romans 2:4]], [[Ephesians 1:7]]).
* Chrēma (χρῆμα, `{{G5536}}`): Refers to "money" or "possessions," often in a more general sense of material goods or financial resources ([[Acts 4:37]]).
The distinctiveness of gáza lies in its foreign origin and its specific implication of a royal or official treasury, setting it apart from the more general thesauros or abstract ploutos.
### Theological Significance
Though gáza (`{{G1047}}`) is used purely descriptively in [[Acts 8:27]], its presence in the narrative of the Ethiopian eunuch carries implicit theological weight. The eunuch, a man of immense worldly authority and responsibility over vast material gáza, is nevertheless depicted as a seeker of spiritual truth. His journey to Jerusalem to worship and his diligent reading of the prophet Isaiah demonstrate that his earthly treasures did not fulfill his deepest spiritual longing.
The narrative subtly contrasts the transient nature of material gáza with the enduring value of the Gospel. The eunuch's esteemed position and wealth are merely the backdrop against which the transformative power of the Good News is displayed. His encounter with Philip leads him to a "treasure" far greater than any earthly gáza: salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, symbolized by his baptism. The passage thus underscores that true riches are not found in accumulated wealth but in spiritual understanding and a relationship with God, accessible to all, regardless of their worldly status or possessions.
### Summary
Gáza (γάζα, `{{G1047}}`) is a rare New Testament word of Persian origin, strictly denoting a "treasure" or "treasury," often implying royal or state wealth. Its sole appearance in [[Acts 8:27]] describes the literal material wealth managed by the Ethiopian eunuch, highlighting his significant worldly position. While distinct in its specific nuance and foreign origin, gáza shares semantic space with other Greek terms for wealth like thesauros (`{{G2344}}`) and ploutos (`{{G4149}}`). Theologically, its contextual use in the Acts narrative serves to underscore the contrast between earthly possessions and the profound spiritual hunger that leads to salvation, emphasizing that true and lasting "treasure" is found not in material gáza but in the transformative power of the Gospel.
TRV