יַקִּיר (yaq.qir)
yaq.qir
honorable
A:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective yaqir describes something as honorable, noble, or precious. It carries a sense of high value and distinction, often applied to people or things that are held in deep respect. In the biblical text, it signals that an individual or object possesses a quality worth honoring.
Interestingly, the sources also note a secondary meaning: difficult or hard. This connection likely arises from the idea that what is rare or noble is not easily obtained or achieved. The word bridges the concepts of high status and significant effort, suggesting that true honor often involves overcoming substantial challenges.
This term appears only twice in Scripture, both in the book of Daniel (Daniel 5:7, 16). In these contexts, it describes the wise men whom King Belshazzar seeks to interpret his writing. The king values their wisdom highly, viewing them as noble experts capable of solving a difficult problem. The usage highlights how honor is linked to specialized skill and the ability to handle complex situations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word yaqir points to a value that stands apart from the ordinary. It describes people or things held in high esteem because of their distinct qualities. In Daniel, King Belshazzar calls upon these wise men as honorable experts, seeking their insight for a problem that seemed impossible to solve. This shows that true honor often comes with the weight of significant responsibility and the expectation of exceptional ability.
For your daily life, this concept reminds us that we are valued by God not for our status, but for who He has made us to be. When you face challenges that feel too heavy or complex, remember that your worth is established by the Creator, not by your immediate success. You can approach difficult situations with confidence, knowing that your dignity comes from a source far greater than human approval.
It is comforting to know that God sees the effort and integrity you bring to your tasks. Even when the outcome is uncertain, your faithful presence is noted. This perspective allows you to rest in the knowledge that your identity is secure, freeing you from the need to prove yourself constantly.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ <the>/ honorable1×
- [is] difficult1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יַקִּירָ֔ה1×
- וְ/יַקִּירָ֔/א1×