Word Study for H3800 (כֶּתֶם)

kethem /keh'-them/ Ask about this word

Meaningproperly, something carved out, i.e. ore; hence, gold (pure as originally mined)

KJV usage((most) fine, pure) gold(-en wedge).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kethem — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word kethem, represented by H3800, refers to fine or pure gold. Its definition as something "carved out" suggests ore or gold in its most pure, originally mined state. It appears 9 times across 9 unique verses, consistently denoting gold of the highest quality and value, often from famous gold-producing regions.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H3800 is used to describe objects of supreme beauty and value. It adorns royalty, as when the queen stands in "gold of Ophir" Psalms 45:9, and celestial beings, such as the man in Daniel's vision who was "girded with fine gold of Uphaz" Daniel 10:5. The term is also used metaphorically to represent something of great worth. For instance, a "wise reprover upon an obedient ear" is likened to an "ornament of fine gold" Proverbs 25:12. Its significance is further highlighted in laments, where the tarnishing of the "most fine gold" symbolizes a catastrophic loss of holiness and glory Lamentations 4:1.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the context of H3800 as a precious metal:

H2091 zâhâb (gold): This is the more general term for gold. Its relationship with H3800 is seen in Proverbs 25:12, where an earring of gold is paired with an ornament of fine gold, indicating a distinction in quality.
H6337 pâz (fine (pure) gold): A close synonym for refined gold. It is used alongside H3800 to emphasize immense value, as when God promises to make a man more precious than fine gold and the "golden wedge of Ophir" Isaiah 13:12.
H211 ʼÔwphîyr (Ophir): A region famous for its high-quality gold. It is directly associated with H3800 in several verses, such as when wisdom cannot be valued with the "gold of Ophir" Job 28:16.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3800 is demonstrated through its use as a standard for what is most valuable.

A Standard of Incomparable Worth: The value of wisdom is established by contrasting it with kethem. Job states that wisdom cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, nor can the topaz of Ethiopia equal it, and it cannot be valued with "pure gold" (Job 28:16, Job 28:19). This places spiritual value above the highest material wealth.
Symbol of Perfection and Beauty: kethem is used to illustrate flawlessness and desirability. In the Song of Solomon, the beloved's head is described as "most fine gold" Song of Solomon 5:11, a metaphor for supreme perfection.
A Measure of Spiritual State: The condition of kethem reflects a spiritual reality. In Lamentations, "fine gold" becoming "dim" signifies the desecration of the sanctuary and the fall from divine favor Lamentations 4:1. Conversely, Job refuses to make "fine gold" his confidence, choosing a higher hope Job 31:24.

Summary

In summary, H3800 is a specific and potent term for the purest form of gold. It appears in contexts of royalty, divine encounters, and profound metaphorical comparisons. More than just a descriptor for a metal, kethem serves as a biblical benchmark for rarity, perfection, and ultimate earthly value, which is then used to elevate the even greater worth of wisdom, obedience, and God himself.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 9 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

כֶתֶם
כֶּתֶם

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 9 verses across 7 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Job (3 verses); never once in the other 32.

Job

Psalms

Proverbs

Song of Solomon

Isaiah

Lamentations

Daniel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.