I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.

ISAIAH 13:12KJV
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Isaiah 13:12 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 13:12 mean?

Isaiah 13:12 says that people will become so rare and valuable that they will be considered more precious than the finest gold, even rarer than the famous gold of Ophir. This verse uses the image of extreme scarcity to show how few people will be left after God’s judgment.

In this part of Isaiah, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah to announce judgment against Babylon. The verse is part of a prophecy describing the destruction and devastation that will come upon the city, making survivors extremely rare. The mention of gold from Ophir, known for its purity and value, highlights just how uncommon human life will become in the aftermath.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 13:12

  • The word for "man" at the start is אֱנוֹשׁ (enosh), which often refers to humanity in its frailty or mortality, emphasizing how rare even ordinary people will be.
  • "Precious" is יָקָר (yaqar), meaning valuable or highly esteemed, stressing the extraordinary worth survivors will have.
  • "Gold" is פַּז (paz), which refers to refined, pure gold, underlining the comparison to something of the highest value.
  • The second "man" is אָדָם (adam), a more general term for a human being, showing that all kinds of people, not just a certain group, will be scarce.
  • "Wedge" is לֶשֶׁת (leshet), which can mean a shaped piece or bar, often used for trade, pointing to a specific, tangible measure of wealth.
  • "Ophir" (אוֹפִיר, Ophir) was a region famous for its gold, making the comparison even more striking for ancient listeners.

Why Isaiah 13:12 matters

  • This verse clears up that the prophecy is not just about defeat in battle, but about a level of devastation so great that people themselves become rare treasures.
  • The use of two different Hebrew words for "man" suggests that all types of people, both ordinary and general, will be affected by the coming judgment.
  • By comparing survivors to the gold of Ophir, Isaiah connects the prophecy to a well-known symbol of wealth, making the warning vivid and memorable for his audience.

Where else these words appear

“gold” Hebrew H6337 · used in 9 verses

  • Job 28:17 The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.
  • Psalms 21:3 For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
  • Song of Solomon 5:11 His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.

“wedge” Hebrew H3800 · used in 9 verses

  • Job 28:16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
  • Job 31:24 If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;
  • Song of Solomon 5:11 His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.

“precious” Hebrew H3365 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Samuel 18:30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
  • 2 Kings 1:14 Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.
  • Psalms 139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

“Ophir” Hebrew H211 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 10:29 And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.
  • 1 Kings 22:48 Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Eziongeber.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:10 And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones.