← H3367 H3369 →

יָקָר

𐤉𐤒𐤓

yâqâr

H3368 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root יקָר to be heavy, to be valuable, to be esteemed

Definition

Valuable, precious, or esteemed—something (object, person, or quality) regarded as having high worth, rarity, or importance. May refer to material value (precious stones, costly goods), personal qualities (honor, esteem), or social standing (high status, renown).

Semantic Range

precious, valuable, esteemed, costly, honored, rare, respected, excellent, high in status, dear

Root / Etymology

Root: יקר (y-q-r), 'to be heavy, precious, honored.' יָקָר is an adjective/occasionally noun formed from this root, reflecting that which is highly valued. The root meaning involves weight (symbolizing value), which semantically broadens to denote worthiness, rarity, and esteem.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, יָקָר is applied both to material objects (e.g., precious stones in priestly vestments [Exodus 30:15], costly goods [Proverbs 3:15]) and to abstract qualities such as honor, respect, and personal value (e.g., Isaiah 43:4; 1 Samuel 3:1). The term frequently marks a distinction between the ordinary and the exceptional. In monarchic and exilic periods, יָקָר can indicate both tangible and intangible types of value (e.g., honor accorded to persons of high social or religious standing). English translations may narrow its sense to 'precious' or 'honorable,' but the term is broader, embracing subjective esteem and objective worth, including social standing and rarity. The word draws semantic contrast with חול (ḥol—common), and sometimes with קל (qal—lightweight, insignificant), especially when discussing people or materials of varying status or worth. Later Jewish literature and modern Hebrew often use יָקָר in the sense of 'dear' or 'expensive,' influenced by these biblical nuances.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from יָקַר; valuable (objectively or subjectively); brightness, clear, costly, excellent, fat, honourable women, precious, reputation.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

יקר (y-q-r) — heaviness, value, esteem

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3357 יַקִּיר esteemed one
H3358 יַקִּיר and the esteemed one
H3365 יָקַר Esteem highly!
H3366 יְקָר precious worth
H3367 יְקָר and for preciousness

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3368-06 יְקָרָ֔ה yeqarah HAafsa precious precious 16
H3368-04 יָקָר֙ yaqar HAamsa precious valuable 10
H3368-07 יְקָר֛וֹת yeqarot HAafpa costly precious ones 5
H3368-03 כִּ/יקַ֣ר kiqar HR/Aamsc like glory-of precious-of 1
H3368-02 הַ/יְקָרִ֔ים hayeqarim HTd/Aampa the precious the precious ones 1
H3368-01 בְּ/יִקְּרוֹתֶ֑י/ךָ beyiqeroteykha HR/Aafpc/Sp2ms among your honorable women your precious ones 1
H3368-05 יְקַר yeqar HAamsc precious precious-of 1
H3368-08 יִקְרַת֙ yiqerat HNcfsc precious preciousness of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

36 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3368-04 1 Samuel 3:1 יָקָר֙ yaqar HAamsa rare valuable
H3368-06 2 Samuel 12:30 יְקָרָ֔ה yeqarah HAafsa precious precious
H3368-07 1 Kings 5:31 יְקָר֛וֹת yeqarot HAafpa costly precious ones
H3368-07 1 Kings 7:9 יְקָרֹת֙ yeqarot HAafpa costly precious ones
H3368-07 1 Kings 7:10 יְקָר֖וֹת yeqarot HAafpa costly precious ones
H3368-07 1 Kings 7:11 יְקָר֛וֹת yeqarot HAafpa costly precious ones
H3368-06 1 Kings 10:2 יְקָרָ֑ה yeqarah HAafsa precious precious
H3368-06 1 Kings 10:10 יְקָרָ֑ה yeqarah HAafsa stones precious
H3368-06 1 Kings 10:11 יְקָרָֽה yeqarah HAafsa precious precious
H3368-08 Isaiah 28:16 יִקְרַת֙ yiqerat HNcfsc precious preciousness of
← H3367 Hebrew Lexicon H3369 →