אָדַר (a.dar)
a.dar
be glorious
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb adar describes something that is wide, great, or noble, carrying a poetic sense of majesty and glory. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, primarily in the books of Exodus and Isaiah. In these contexts, it conveys a sense of grandeur that goes beyond simple size to include dignity and splendor.
This word is most often found in the Niphal stem as a participle, describing someone or something as majestic or glorious. For example, it characterizes the divine presence or the noble stature of God’s actions. The Hiphil stem, though rare, carries the active meaning of making something glorious, emphasizing the bestowal of honor and greatness.
Its usage highlights a specific type of nobility associated with height and width, suggesting an expansive and elevated status. Translators typically render it as "glorious" or "majestic," capturing the awe-inspiring quality intended by the original authors. This term helps convey the overwhelming nature of divine glory in poetic passages.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word adar paints a picture of divine majesty that is both wide and high. It describes a glory that is not just visible, but overwhelming in its dignity and power. When Scripture uses this term, it points to a grandeur that commands awe and reverence, reminding us that God’s nature exceeds human comprehension.
In Exodus 15, Moses sings of Yahweh’s right hand being glorious in power. Here, the word highlights how God’s strength is not merely forceful, but noble and majestic. It assures us that the same God who delivered Israel from oppression acts with a splendor that defeats every enemy. His holiness is equally glorious, setting Him apart as unique among all powers.
This sense of expansive nobility invites us to rest in the certainty of God’s character. Whether we face trials or celebrations, knowing that our Creator is inherently majestic brings peace. We can trust that His actions are always rooted in a righteousness that magnifies His law and honors His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- so/ he may make [it] glorious1×
- glorious1×
- [was] glorious1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נֶאְדָּרִ֖י1×
- נֶאְדָּ֣ר1×
- וְ/יַאְדִּֽיר\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 15:6
Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power. Your right hand, Yahweh, dashes the enemy in pieces.
This verse uses the word to describe God's right hand, linking physical power with majestic dignity in the context of delivering Israel.
-
Exodus 15:11
Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Here the term emphasizes God's unique holiness and awe-inspiring praises, distinguishing Him from all other supposed deities.
-
Isaiah 42:21
It pleased Yahweh, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify the law and make it honorable.
The Hiphil stem appears here to show God actively magnifying His law, making it honorable through His righteous purpose.