Havilah
LocationsGeographical Setting
Havilah denotes a region described in Genesis as rich in gold, bdellium, and onyx, traversed by the river Pishon.
What is the meaning of Havilah in the Bible?
Havilah is identified as a territory associated with the sons of Cush and Joktan, characterized by abundant resources including gold, bdellium, and onyx, and bounded by the river Pishon; its precise geographical identification remains debated, with proposed locations ranging from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Havilah helps readers contextualize the biblical narrative's emphasis on material wealth and the geographical scope of early human civilization as described in the primeval history.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Havilah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Havilah clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.