Uphaz

Uphaz is a place name attached to gold. The two passages that mention it both name it as the source of an unusually pure or prized gold, paired in one case with the silver of Tarshish and in the other with the linen and gold attire of a heavenly figure.

A Source of Gold

In Jeremiah's polemic against idol-makers, the imported metals that go into manufactured gods are itemized by their place of origin: "There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the artificer and of the hands of the goldsmith; blue and purple for their clothing; they are all the work of skillful men" (Jer 10:9). Uphaz stands beside Tarshish as a far-away supplier whose product is fashioned into images by craftsmen.

Gold of the Vision

In Daniel's vision by the great river, the man clothed in linen who appears to him is described in costly terms: "I lifted up my eyes, and looked and saw a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz" (Dan 10:5). The same far-country gold that elsewhere clothes idols here belts a figure of overwhelming holiness.