דְּכַר (de.khar)

de.khar

ram

H1798 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 3 verses

A:N-M

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 3 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: A:N-M

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun dekar refers specifically to a male sheep, or a ram. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, with two of those instances found in Ezra. In these passages, the word identifies the specific type of animal offered as part of the public sacrifices and ritual observances following the return from exile.

While the Hebrew Bible uses other terms for male livestock, dekar is distinct in its association with sacrificial contexts. It denotes an uncastrated male sheep, often selected for its value and purity in religious rites. The scarcity of this word in Scripture highlights its specialized role rather than general agricultural use.

Translators consistently render dekar as "ram" to distinguish it from generic terms for sheep or goats. Its limited occurrence underscores the precision of biblical language regarding ritual offerings, where the specific gender and species of an animal carried significant theological weight in the covenant community.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word dekar points to a ram, an uncastrated male sheep chosen for its strength and purity. In the Old Testament, this specific animal was not just livestock but a vital part of worship. The priests selected rams carefully because their offering represented something precious given back to God. This precision shows that God cares about the details of how we honor Him.

When the Israelites returned from exile, they rebuilt the temple and restored these sacrifices. Ezra records that they offered many rams alongside bulls and lambs. These acts were not empty rituals but expressions of gratitude and repentance. The community acknowledged their need for atonement and celebrated God’s faithfulness in restoring their worship.

For you today, this word reminds us that our offerings matter. Whether it is time, resources, or praise, God receives what we give with a sincere heart. The ram symbolizes the cost of devotion. It invites us to consider what we hold dear and how we might offer it back to Him in thanksgiving.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

rams2×
and/ rams1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

וְ/דִכְרִ֣ין1×
דִּכְרִין֙1×
דִּכְרִ֣ין1×

Key Verses

Ezra 6:9
That which they have need of, including young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail,

This verse lists rams alongside other animals, showing they were essential components of the daily burnt offerings required for the temple service.
Ezra 6:17
They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

Here, two hundred rams are offered during the dedication of the temple, highlighting the scale of communal worship and rejoicing after the exile.
Ezra 7:17
Therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, and shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.

Ezra is instructed to use royal funds to buy rams for burnt offerings, demonstrating that public worship was supported by the Persian government to honor God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word dekar mean?

Dekar refers specifically to a ram, which is an uncastrated male sheep. It is distinct from other terms for sheep or goats and is almost always used in the context of religious sacrifices.

Why are rams mentioned so often in Ezra?

The book of Ezra describes the rebuilding of the temple after the Babylonian exile. Rams were central to the burnt offerings that restored Israel’s worship practices and expressed their repentance and gratitude to God.

How is dekar different from other words for male animals?

While other Hebrew words can refer to any male animal or generic sheep, dekar specifically denotes a ram. This specificity was important because ritual laws required particular animals for certain offerings.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

Ezra 3 verses

Ezra 6:9

That which they have need of, including young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also…

Ezra 6:17

They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a…

Ezra 7:17

Therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs with their meal offerings and their…