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יְקָר

𐤉𐤒𐤓

yᵉqâr

H3366 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יקר to be precious, to be valuable, to be honored

Definition

Valuable quality, worth, or honor; refers both to material wealth (items of high value, precious possessions) and abstract qualities such as honor, reputation, or dignity. The word can denote that which is esteemed, costly, or held in high regard, whether a person (in terms of social standing or respect) or an object (in terms of material worth).

Semantic Range

preciousness, value, material wealth, costly objects, dignity, honor, reputation, high social status, price

Root / Etymology

From the root יקר meaning 'to be precious, valuable, or honored.' The noun יְקָר (yᵉqâr) is a substantivization of the root idea, indicating that which is of great value, whether concrete (treasure, wealth) or abstract (honor, esteem).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, יְקָר is attested primarily in later Hebrew texts (especially Daniel and the writings from the Persian period), where Aramaic influence is evident both in form and meaning. In these contexts it frequently refers to official honors, formal dignity, or preciousness, and may overlap with the Aramaic term of similar form and meaning. In pre-exilic Hebrew, related roots generally prefer words like כָּבוֹד (kavod) for 'honor' or חֵפֶץ (ḥēfeṣ) for something precious or desirable. Standard English translations as 'honor,' 'precious things,' or 'wealth' only partly capture the nuance, often missing the close linkage in biblical texts between material treasure and social status/honor. The semantic range can refer both to tangible possessions of high value and to intangible dignity bestowed especially by state or royal decree. Later Jewish and Aramaic usage continues this duality. Not to be confused with later, more religious uses of 'honor' in English translations that may carry different connotations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from יָקַר; value, i.e. (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity; honour, precious (things), price.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יקר (y-q-r) — to be precious, to be valuable, to be honored

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3357 יַקִּיר esteemed one
H3358 יַקִּיר and the esteemed one
H3365 יָקַר Esteem highly!
H3367 יְקָר and for preciousness
H3368 יָקָר your precious ones

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3366-05 יְ֝קָ֗ר yeqar HNcmsa honor precious 6
H3366-02 בִּ/יקָר֑/וֹ biqaro HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms to honor in his honor 5
H3366-01 בִּ֭/יקָר biqar HR/Ncmsa in honor precious worth 2
H3366-04 וִ/יקָר֙ viqar HC/Ncmsa and honor and precious worth 2
H3366-03 הַ/יְקָ֔ר hayeqar HTd/Ncmsa price the precious worth 1
H3366-06 יְקָרָ֑/הּ yeqarah HNcmsc/Sp3fs its precious things precious 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3366-06 Jeremiah 20:5 יְקָרָ֑/הּ yeqarah HNcmsc/Sp3fs its precious things precious
H3366-04 Ezekiel 22:25 וִ/יקָר֙ viqar HC/Ncmsa and precious things and precious worth
H3366-03 Zechariah 11:13 הַ/יְקָ֔ר hayeqar HTd/Ncmsa price the precious worth
H3366-01 Psalms 49:13 בִּ֭/יקָר biqar HR/Ncmsa in honor/glory precious worth
H3366-01 Psalms 49:21 בִּ֭/יקָר biqar HR/Ncmsa in honor precious worth
H3366-05 Proverbs 20:15 יְ֝קָ֗ר yeqar HNcmsa precious precious
H3366-05 Job 28:10 יְ֝קָ֗ר yeqar HNcmsa precious thing precious
H3366-05 Esther 1:4 יְקָ֔ר yeqar HNcmsc honor precious
H3366-05 Esther 1:20 יְקָר֙ yeqar HNcmsa honor precious
H3366-05 Esther 6:3 יְקָ֧ר yeqar HNcmsa honor precious
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