Wealth accumulated and kept primarily in palaces and temples in the ancient world. Treasures were acquired by royal conquest (1Kgs 14:25-26; 2Kgs 14:13-14), by trade or taxes (1Kgs 10:11; 1Kgs 10:15; 1Kgs 10:22; Ezek 27:12-27; Ezek 28:4-5), or in the form of gifts (1Kgs 10:10; 1Kgs 13-15:10; Matt 2:2; Matt 2:11) or tribute (1Kgs 10:14-15). A monarch’s treasures might be used to adorn the palace or temple, purchase military resources, or buy off an invader (Josh 6:19; 1Kgs 10:16-21; 1Kgs 10:26-29; 1Kgs 15:17-21; 2Kgs 12:17-18; 2Kgs 16:5; 2Kgs 7-9:5; 2Kgs 18:13-16). Legendary wealth was attributed to Solomon (1Kgs 10; Eccl 2:8) and to Hezekiah (2Chr 32:27-29); the latter, by showing his treasures to Babylonian envoys (2Kgs 20:13; Isa 39:2), prompted Isaiah’s prophecy that they would be carried off to Babylon (2Kgs 20:17; Isa 39:6). As moral reflection, the OT perspective generally holds that treasures accumulate for the wise (Prov 21:20) and the righteous (Prov 15:16). However, treasures do not last (Prov 27:2) and may be troublesome (Prov 15:16); ill-gotten wealth makes one vulnerable (Prov 10:2; Prov 21:6; Tob 12:8-10). The NT goes further in emphasizing the vanity of earthly treasures, the permanence of heavenly treasure, and the way one’s life is shaped by what one treasures (Matt 6:19-21; Luke 12:20-21; Luke 12:33-34; Heb 11:26; Jas 5:1-5). Almsgiving allows one to convert earthly into heavenly treasure (Matt 19:21-22; Mark 10:21-22; Luke 18:22-23). Still, buried treasure can serve as an image of the kingdom of heaven (Matt 13:44), and treasure in earthen vessels can represent the spiritual life that sustains Christians (2Cor 4:7).
