יַקִּיר
Definition
The Hebrew word יַקִּיר (yaqqîyr) is an adjective meaning 'precious,' 'valuable,' 'rare,' or 'noble.' It describes something of great worth or high status, often implying rarity and honor. In Ezra 4:10, it is used to describe the 'great and noble' city of Samaria, emphasizing its political and cultural prestige. In Daniel 2:11, it refers to the 'rare' or 'difficult' things that only the gods could reveal, highlighting the inaccessibility of divine knowledge to humans.
Biblical Usage
This word occurs only twice in the Old Testament, both in Aramaic portions of the Bible. In Ezra 4:10, it modifies the city of Samaria, conveying its esteemed and powerful status in the context of a political letter. In Daniel 2:11, it describes matters so profound and hidden that they are beyond human capability, used by the Chaldeans to explain their inability to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Both uses emphasize exceptional value or difficulty.
Etymology
יַקִּיר (yaqqîyr) is the Aramaic form corresponding to the Hebrew יַקִּיר (H3357), derived from the root יקר (yqr), meaning 'to be heavy, weighty, or precious.' This root conveys the idea of something having substantial worth or honor. Cognates in other Semitic languages also carry meanings related to weight, value, and respect, reflecting a shared cultural understanding of preciousness.
Semantic Range
This word enriches the biblical concept of value and honor, particularly in relation to divine revelation and human authority. In Daniel 2:11, it underscores the transcendence of God's wisdom compared to human limitations, pointing to the need for divine intervention. In Ezra 4:10, it reflects the biblical theme of earthly power and prestige, which is often contrasted with God's ultimate sovereignty. Understanding יַקִּיר highlights how Scripture attributes true 'preciousness' to God's truths and purposes.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, 'precious' or 'noble' items were often associated with rarity, such as precious metals, stones, or esteemed persons. The use in Ezra 4:10 aligns with diplomatic language, where cities were praised for their grandeur to assert legitimacy. In Daniel 2:11, it reflects the cultural belief in inaccessible divine knowledge, common in Babylonian wisdom traditions, setting the stage for God's superior revelation through Daniel.
יָקָר (yāqār, H3368) — The more common Hebrew term for 'precious' or 'valuable,' used broadly for objects, wisdom, and God's love. כָּבֵד (kāḇēḏ, H3513) — Means 'heavy' or 'glorious,' often referring to honor or weightiness, but less focused on rarity. נָכְבָּד (nokbād, H3363) — Means 'noble' or 'glorious,' emphasizing dignity and splendor, particularly of persons.
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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