יַקִּיר
𐤉𐤒𐤉𐤓
yaqqîyr
H3357 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
An adjective describing someone or something as valuable, esteemed, or held in high regard; used of persons to convey a sense of cherished, beloved, or highly regarded status, and of objects or concepts to indicate exceptional worth or rarity. The term encompasses not only material preciousness but especially social or emotional esteem.
Semantic Range
valued, esteemed, precious, cherished, highly regarded, dear (in an affectionate or esteemed sense), rare
Root / Etymology
From the root יָקַר (y-q-r), meaning 'to be precious, to be esteemed, to be valuable.' The form יַקִּיר is an adjective derived from this root, indicating quality or state with an emphatic nuance due to the double consonant.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יַקִּיר appears especially in post-exilic texts, such as Jer 31:20, in the context of a beloved child or figure. It conveys more than material value and is often used of people, indicating a relationship marked by delight, regard, or affection. In ancient Israelite society, terms of value and esteem were not limited to objects but included persons, with social implications about honor and status. The nuance lies closer to 'dearly cherished' than simply 'precious.' In later traditions and translations, the nuance sometimes narrows to 'beloved' or 'dear' when used of individuals, and to 'precious' for objects. The use of יַקִּיר is less common and more intensified than more basic words for 'dear' or 'valued,' such as חָבֵב or אֲהוּב. Standard English translations sometimes miss the emotional richness of the word.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יָקַר; precious; dear.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יקר (y-q-r) — to be precious, to be valued, to be esteemed, to be costly
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3358 | יַקִּיר | and the esteemed one |
| H3365 | יָקַר | Esteem highly! |
| H3366 | יְקָר | precious worth |
| H3367 | יְקָר | and for preciousness |
| H3368 | יָקָר | your precious ones |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3357-01 |
יַקִּ֨יר | yaqir | HAamsa |
precious | esteemed one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3357-01 |
Jeremiah 31:20 | יַקִּ֨יר | yaqir | HAamsa |
precious | esteemed one |