1 Kings 9:28

“And they came to Ophir, etc.] About which place there are various opinions; some take it to be the little island of Zocatora, on the eastern coast of Africa, at a small distance from the straits of Babelmandel; others the island of Ceylon; others Sofala in Africa; some f190 Peru in America; Vatablus the island of Hispaniola in the West Indies, discovered by Columbus, and who thought f191 himself that he had found the land of Ophir, because of the quantity of gold in it; others the southern part of Arabia; but the most reasonable opinion is, says my author f192, that it is a rich country in Malacca, which is a peninsula in the true Red sea (that part of the ocean which divides Asia from…”

“Ophir--a general name, like the East or West Indies with us, for all the southern regions lying on the African, Arabian, or Indian seas, in so far as at that time known [HEEREN]. gold, four hundred and twenty talents--(See on Ch2 8:18). At 125 pounds Troy, or 1500 ounces to the talent, and about £4 to the ounce, this would make £2,604,000. Next: 1 Kings Chapter 10”

“On Ophir, see the marginal reference note. Among the various opinions three predominate; all moderns, except a very few, being in favor of Arabia, India, or Eastern Africa. Arabia’s claims are supported by the greatest number. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on 1 Kings 9". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/1-kings-9.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”

“Ophir - A place famous for the plenty and fineness of the gold there. It is agreed, that it was a part of the East - Indies, probably Ceylon, which though very remote from us, yet was far nearer the Red - sea, from whence they might easily sail to it in those ancient times, because they might (according to the manner of those first ages) sail all along near the coast, though the voyage was thereby more tedious, which was the reason why three years were spent in it. And here, and here only were to be had all the commodities which Solomon fetched from Ophir, Kg1 10:22. Fetched - In all there came to the king four hundred and fifty talents, whereof it seems thirty talents were allowed to Hiram…”

“Ophir: Kg1 10:11; Gen 10:29; Ch1 29:4; Ch2 8:18, Ch2 9:10; Job 22:24, Job 28:16; Psa 45:9; Isa 13:12 four hundred: Ch2 8:18 Next: 3 Kings (1 Kings) Chapter 10”