Bible Dictionary
Parvaim
Parvaim was an uncertain region or country from which gold was obtained for the decoration of Solomon’s temple. It may have referred generally to eastern lands.
Definition
Parvaim was an uncertain country or region from which gold was obtained for decorating Solomon’s temple. It is unclear whether the term names a specific place or serves as a general designation for eastern or Oriental regions.
Biblical Usage
Parvaim is mentioned only in connection with the gold used in the decoration of Solomon’s temple.
Historical Background
Suggested locations include a place in Arabia, Farwa in Yemen, and Saq el Farwain in Yemamah. The name has also been connected with a word meaning “eastern,” but its identification remains uncertain.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The name of a country from which Solomon obtained gold for the temple (2 Chr. 3:6). Some have identified it with Ophir, but it is uncertain whether it is even the name of a place. It may simply, as some think, denote “Oriental regions.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(Oriental regions), the name of an unknown place or country whence the gold was procured for the decoration of Solomon’s temple. (2 Chronicles 3:6) We may notice the conjecture that it is derived from the Sanscrit purva, “eastern,” and is a general term for the east.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>par-va'-im (parwayim; Septuagint Pharouaim): The word occurs only in 2Ch 3:6, as the place from which Solomon obtained gold for the decoration of his Temple. A derivation is given from the Sanskrit purva, "eastern," so that the name might be a vague term for the East (Gesenius, Thesaurus, 1125). Whether there was such a place in arabia is doubtful. Farwa in Yemen has been suggested, and also Saq el Farwain in Yemamah. Some have considered the name a shortened form of Cepharvayim which occurs in the Syriac and Targum Jonathan for the "Sephar" of Ge 10:30.</p><p>A. S. Fulton</p>