Ophir facts for kids

Ophir is a place mentioned in the Bible. It was either a port city or a region. Ophir was very famous for its great wealth.

King Solomon received special shipments from Ophir every three years. These shipments were full of valuable items. They included gold, silver, sandalwood (a fragrant wood), pearls, and ivory. They also brought animals like apes and peacocks.

Finding Clues: What Archaeology Tells Us

In 1946, a special piece of pottery was found. It was discovered at a place called Tell Qasile. This is in modern-day Tel Aviv. The pottery piece had writing on it from the 8th century BC.

The writing was in an old Hebrew script. It said: "gold of Ophir to/for Beth-Horon [...] 30 shekels." This discovery helped prove that Ophir was a real place. It was a place where gold came from.

Where Was Ophir? Different Ideas

Many people have tried to figure out where Ophir was located. The Bible doesn't give an exact address. So, different theories suggest it could have been in many parts of the world.

Ophir in India

Some experts believe Ophir was in India. A dictionary from 1863 noted that the Hebrew word for parrot, Thukki, comes from a Tamil word for peacock. Tamil is a language spoken in India. Other words for ivory and cotton also seem to come from Tamil.

This idea suggests Ophir was in a region called Tamilakkam. A likely spot in India is Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram. Some scholars also think it could be Beypore.

In the 19th century, other experts thought Ophir was near the Indus River. This area is in the state of Gujarat, India. Jewish traditions also often link Ophir to a place in India.

Ophir in Sri Lanka

Another idea is that Ophir was Sri Lanka. This island was once called Serendip. The 10th-century writer, David ben Abraham al-Fasi, thought Ophir was Serendip.

The Hebrew word for parrot, Thukki, is also linked to the Sinhalese language. Sinhalese is spoken in Sri Lanka. This connection supports the idea of Ophir being on the island.

Ophir in the Philippines

Some old Spanish documents suggest Ophir was in the Philippines. A guide from the 1500s described how to sail there. It started from Africa, went past India, and through many islands. Finally, it pointed to Ophir as the Philippines.

Ophir in Africa

Many scholars and archaeologists have looked for Ophir in Africa. Vasco da Gama's friend, Thomé Lopes, thought Ophir was Great Zimbabwe. This was a major gold trading center in southern Africa. However, the ruins of Great Zimbabwe are from a much later time.

The city of Sofala in Mozambique is another suggested location. The famous writer John Milton even mentioned Sofala as Ophir in his poem Paradise Lost.

Another idea is that Ophir was on the African coast of the Red Sea. The name might come from the Afar people. They live in the Danakil desert in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Some also link Ophir to the word "Afri." This was a Latin name for people in North Africa. The name "Africa" itself comes from this word. Some think "Afri" comes from a Berber word meaning "cave." This could also be the origin of "Ophir."

Ophir in the Americas

After Christopher Columbus discovered new lands, some thought Ophir might be in the Americas. In 1500, Peter Martyr said Columbus believed Hispaniola was Ophir.

A theologian named Benito Arias Montano suggested Ophir was Peru. He thought the people of Peru were descendants of Ophir.

Ophir in the Solomon Islands

In 1568, Alvaro Mendaña was the first European to find the Solomon Islands. He named them after King Solomon. He believed these islands were the legendary Ophir.

Images for kids

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  Robert Wilkinson's 1823 map shows Ophir in Indonesia.

See also

In Spanish: Ofir para niños