הָדַר
𐤄𐤃𐤓
hâdar
H1921 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to be majestic, to be adorned with splendor or grandeur; to honor, to show high regard; also to display pride or stateliness. The primary sense relates to possessing or displaying beauty, dignity, or impressive appearance—either literally (as of a physical attribute, ornament, or landscape) or metaphorically (as of reputation or character). In some contexts, associated with giving or receiving honor and distinction.
Semantic Range
to be majestic, to be adorned, to display splendor, to show honor, to treat with high regard, to appear stately, to act with dignity or pride
Root / Etymology
Root: הדר. The root meaning centers on 'beauty' or 'glory', with an idea of splendid adornment or impressive display. The verb form originally indicated 'to appear glorious' or 'to be adorned with majesty', which generates both senses: outward adornment or elevated status. From this, derivations acquire the senses of 'to honor' or 'show respect' and in rarer cases, 'to act with pride'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
הָדַר appears across multiple genres in the Hebrew Bible, commonly in poetic and prophetic passages to describe splendor, majesty, or honor—either intrinsic (of a person, king, or deity) or bestowed (as a mark of respect). In the patriarchal and monarchic contexts, hadar implied both physical impressiveness (such as that of a person or object) and social elevation. In later periods, the term is sometimes used more abstractly to convey honor or respect, especially in legalistic or didactic settings (e.g., Leviticus in commands to honor the elderly). The sense of pride is relatively rare and context-bound, often more neutral (signifying being stately or dignified) than pejorative ('proud' in the sense of arrogance). Some English versions collapse 'honor' and 'majesty'—it is preferable to distinguish the nuance between splendor (a quality or appearance) and honor (an action or status conferred). ההדר (hadar) noun refers to ornamentation or glory. In contrast, terms like כָּבוֹד (kâvôd, H3519) often emphasize 'weight' or 'substance', signifying honor or glory with a different metaphorical basis, while הדר is more visually or aesthetically derived. No evidence links הדר with the concept of a 'crooked place' in Classical Hebrew—the Strong's gloss reflects translation tradition rather than actual lexical usage.
Translation Consistency
Honor best fits the primary and common senses of hâdar — showing high regard, receiving distinction, and acting with dignity — while also covering contexts of splendour or being honored. It is the most natural, commonly attested English rendering in the P2 examples and will produce consistent, readable forms across all word variants.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to swell up (literally or figuratively, active or passive); by implication, to favor or honour, be high or proud; countenance, crooked place, glorious, honour, put forth.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
הדר (Hadar) — to be adorned, to be majestic, to honor, to display splendor
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1922 | הֲדַר | you have glorified |
| H1923 | הֲדַר | my majesty |
| H1924 | הֲדַר | Hadar |
| H1925 | הֶדֶר | splendor of |
| H1926 | הָדָר | my majesty |
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1921-03 |
תֶהְדַּ֖ר | tehedar | HVqi2ms |
shall you be partial | you will show splendor | you shall honor | 2 |
H1921-01 |
הָד֣וּר | hadur | HVqsmsa |
glorious | adorned one | glorious one | 1 |
H1921-02 |
נֶהְדָּֽרוּ | nehedaru | HVNp3cp |
were honored | were adorned with splendor | were honored | 1 |
H1921-04 |
תִּתְהַדַּ֥ר | titehadar | HVtj2ms |
glorify yourself | may you adorn yourself | glorify yourself | 1 |
H1921-05 |
וַ/הֲדוּרִ֖ים | vahadurim | HC/Ncmpa |
and the rough places | majestic ones | and the rough places | 1 |
H1921-06 |
וְ/הָדַרְתָּ֖ | vehadareta | HC/Vqq2ms |
and you shall honor | and you honored | and you shall honor | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1921-03 |
Exodus 23:3 | תֶהְדַּ֖ר | tehedar | HVqi2ms |
shall you be partial | you will show splendor | you shall honor |
H1921-03 |
Leviticus 19:15 | תֶהְדַּ֖ר | tehedar | HVqi2ms |
you-shall-glorify | you will show splendor | you shall honor |
H1921-06 |
Leviticus 19:32 | וְ/הָדַרְתָּ֖ | vehadareta | HC/Vqq2ms |
and you shall honor | and you honored | and you shall honor |
H1921-05 |
Isaiah 45:2 | וַ/הֲדוּרִ֖ים | vahadurim | HC/Ncmpa |
and the rough places | majestic ones | and the rough places |
H1921-01 |
Isaiah 63:1 | הָד֣וּר | hadur | HVqsmsa |
glorious | adorned one | glorious one |
H1921-04 |
Proverbs 25:6 | תִּתְהַדַּ֥ר | titehadar | HVtj2ms |
glorify yourself | may you adorn yourself | glorify yourself |
H1921-02 |
Lamentations 5:12 | נֶהְדָּֽרוּ | nehedaru | HVNp3cp |
were honored | were adorned with splendor | were honored |