יְקָר
Definition
The Hebrew word יְקָר (yᵉqâr) primarily denotes 'weightiness,' 'value,' or 'preciousness,' and by extension, 'honor' and 'glory.' In its Aramaic usage in Daniel, it describes the immense honor, splendor, and majesty bestowed upon kings and kingdoms by God. For example, it refers to the 'majesty' given to King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30, 36) and the 'honor' and 'glory' of his kingdom (Daniel 2:37). In Daniel 7:14, it reaches its theological peak, describing the everlasting 'dominion, glory, and kingdom' given to the 'one like a son of man,' a figure of supreme, God-given authority.
Biblical Usage
This word appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel. It is consistently used in royal contexts to describe the honor, splendor, and majestic status granted by God to earthly rulers and, ultimately, to a divine, messianic figure. It highlights the temporary nature of human glory (Daniel 5:20) contrasted with the eternal glory of God's kingdom. Key examples include the rewards promised by Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:6), the description of his kingdom (Daniel 2:37), and the honor given to Belshazzar's father (Daniel 5:18).
Etymology
יְקָר (yᵉqâr) is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew word יְקָר (yᵉqār, H3366), both deriving from a root meaning 'to be heavy' or 'weighty.' This core idea of weight evolved metaphorically to signify importance, value, honor, and splendor. The Aramaic form is used in the biblical texts that were originally written in that language, maintaining the same semantic range as its Hebrew counterpart.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects the concept of earthly, God-given honor to the supreme, eschatological glory of the Messiah. It teaches that all human authority and splendor are derivative and temporary gifts from God (Daniel 5:18-20). Its use in Daniel 7:14 is crucial for understanding the transfer of everlasting dominion and glory to the 'son of man,' a passage foundational for New Testament Christology and the revelation of Jesus's kingly majesty.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, 'heaviness' or 'weight' was a direct metaphor for wealth, importance, and social standing. Honor (yᵉqâr) was not merely a feeling but a tangible, public status often displayed through riches, tribute, and majestic presentation. The word's use in Daniel reflects the court language of the Babylonian and Persian empires, where the king's glory was a central political and religious concept.
כָּבוֹד (kābôd, H3519) — The primary Hebrew word for 'glory,' emphasizing visible weight, splendor, and manifestation, often of God. כָּר (kār, H3734) — A rarer noun for 'preciousness' or 'value.' הָדָר (hādār, H1926) — Often 'majesty' or 'splendor,' particularly in adornment and dignity.
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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