יָקַר
properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e. (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make rare (figuratively, to inhibit)
Definition
The Hebrew word יָקַר (yâqar) fundamentally means 'to be heavy' or 'weighty,' and from this physical sense, it developed the figurative meanings of being 'precious,' 'valuable,' 'costly,' or 'honored.' It describes something of great worth, whether material, like a ransom that is too costly to pay (Psalm 49:8), or personal, like the life of an individual held in high esteem (Psalm 72:14). In a causative sense (the Hiphil stem), the verb can mean 'to make rare' or 'to make precious,' which sometimes implies withholding or making something scarce, as in withdrawing one's foot from a neighbor's house to avoid overstaying a welcome (Proverbs 25:17).
Biblical Usage
יָקַר is used 11 times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative and poetic books. It often appears in contexts of personal value and honor, such as Saul acknowledging that David's life was 'precious' in his eyes (1 Samuel 26:21). In the Psalms, it describes the preciousness of human life to God (Psalm 72:14) and the preciousness of God's own thoughts (Psalm 139:17). The causative usage appears in military narratives, where officers plead for their lives to be 'considered precious' (2 Kings 1:13-14), and in wisdom literature advising moderation (Proverbs 25:17).
Etymology
יָקַר is a primitive root meaning 'to be heavy.' This connection between weight and value is common in Semitic languages, where heaviness implies substance and worth (similar to the English idiom 'carries weight'). Cognates exist in other Semitic languages with meanings related to honor and heaviness. The development from a physical property ('heavy') to abstract qualities ('precious,' 'honored') is a classic example of semantic shift in biblical Hebrew.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects the inherent value of creation—especially human life—to God's perspective. It teaches that life is 'precious' (יָקַר) in God's sight (Psalm 72:14), grounding human dignity in divine valuation. The term also describes the immeasurable worth of God's thoughts and care (Psalm 139:17), highlighting the treasure of knowing God's mind. Understanding יָקַר enriches reading by revealing how biblical culture equated weight with worth, deepening our appreciation for why people and God's truth are described as 'heavy' with value.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, weight was directly tied to value and substance. Precious metals were weighed, and a 'heavy' item was literally and figuratively valuable. This cultural understanding makes the semantic link between 'heavy' (יָקַר) and 'precious' intuitive. Honor and social status were also perceived as 'weighty' attributes. This contrasts with some modern views that might separate physical weight from abstract worth, making the Hebrew concept a powerful metaphor for true, substantial value.
כָּבֵד (kāḇēḏ, H3513) — also means 'to be heavy' or 'honored,' but more commonly refers to glory, abundance, or liver; יְקָר (yəqār, H3366) — the noun form meaning 'preciousness' or 'value'; יָקָר (yāqār, H3368) — an adjective meaning 'precious' or 'rare.'
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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