יַקִּיר
precious
Definition
The Hebrew word יַקִּיר (yaqqîyr) means 'precious,' 'dear,' or 'valuable.' It describes something or someone held in high esteem, often with emotional attachment. In its sole biblical occurrence, Jeremiah 31:20, God uses it to express His deep affection for Ephraim, calling him a 'dear son' or 'precious child.' This conveys both the child's immense worth to the parent and the tender, loving bond between them. The term implies not just objective value but also subjective, relational preciousness.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Jeremiah 31:20. It appears in a prophetic context where God is speaking about His love for Israel, personified as Ephraim. The usage is intensely relational and emotional, depicting God's parental heart toward His wayward people. The context is one of covenant faithfulness and restoration, where the term underscores the irreplaceable value of the child to the parent, despite the child's rebellion.
Etymology
יַקִּיר (yaqqîyr) is an adjective derived from the root יָקַר (yāqar, H3365), which means 'to be precious, valuable, costly, or honored.' This root gives rise to several related words denoting weightiness, splendor, and high value (e.g., יְקָר, yəqār – 'preciousness, honor'). The development from the root suggests that something 'precious' (yaqqîyr) is inherently weighty or significant, carrying both material and relational worth.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it provides a profound glimpse into God's character and His relationship with His people. In Jeremiah 31:20, it reveals God's enduring, parental love—a love that treasures His children as 'precious' even in their sin, foreshadowing His commitment to redeem and restore them through the new covenant. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the emotional depth and personal value God places on individuals within His covenant family.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the value of a son, particularly a firstborn, was immense for lineage, honor, and economic security. Describing a son as 'precious' (yaqqîyr) would resonate deeply, communicating his supreme importance to the family's identity and future. This cultural understanding amplifies the force of God's metaphor, showing that Israel holds the privileged, cherished position of a firstborn son in God's household (Exodus 4:22).
יָקָר (yāqār, H3368) — Often refers to objective preciousness, high value, or honor of objects, people, or abstract concepts (e.g., Proverbs 3:15). חָמַד (ḥāmaḏ, H2530) — Means to desire, take pleasure in, or covet; focuses more on the act of finding delight or beauty in something (e.g., Exodus 20:17). אָהַב (ʾāhaḇ, H157) — The primary word for 'to love'; denotes affection, devotion, and choice, broader than the specific connotation of 'preciousness' (e.g., Deuteronomy 6:5).
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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