Isaiah 13:12

Modern

I will make man scarcer than pure gold, and mankind rarer than the gold of Ophir.

Traditional

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

Literal

I will make man scarcer than pure gold, and mankind than the gold of Ophir.

Latin

Pretiosior erit vir auro, et homo mundo obrizo.

Hebrew

English

I will make man scarcer than pure gold, and mankind rarer than the gold of Ophir.

Solomon’s imported gold came from Ophir (1 Kings 9:28).

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah 4:1
In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own bread and provide our own clothes. Just let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!”
Isaiah 24:6
Therefore a curse has consumed the earth, and its inhabitants must bear the guilt; the earth’s dwellers have been burned, and only a few survive.
Job 28:16
It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.
Psalm 137:9
Blessed is he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.
Isaiah 13:15–18
Whoever is caught will be stabbed, and whoever is captured will die by the sword.

Ophir: A region known for its gold