(Aramaic) corresponding to זָכָר; properly, a male, i.e. of sheep; ram.
Transliteration:dᵉkar
Pronunciation:dek-ar'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term דְּכַר (dᵉkar, `{{H1798}}`) fundamentally signifies "male." It is the Aramaic linguistic equivalent to the more common Hebrew word זָכָר (zakar, `{{H2145}}`), which also denotes "male" in a broad sense, applying to humans, animals, and even plants in some contexts. However, within the limited occurrences of דְּכַר in the biblical Aramaic corpus, its semantic range is specifically narrowed to refer to a "male of sheep," which is a "ram." This specialization is crucial for understanding its precise application in the scriptural texts where it appears, distinguishing it from the broader Hebrew cognate. Its usage is consistently tied to the context of sacrificial animals.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term דְּכַר (dᵉkar, `{{H1798}}`) appears exclusively in the book of Ezra, within royal decrees concerning the rebuilding and maintenance of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. In both instances, it appears in its plural form, "rams."
1. **[[Ezra 6:9]]**: This verse records the decree of King Darius I concerning the provisions for the temple worship. Darius commands that "whatever is needed...young bulls, rams (דִּכְרִין), and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven" be supplied to the priests in Jerusalem. Here, "rams" are listed as a specific type of animal required for the daily burnt offerings (עֲלָוָן, ʿalawān), underscoring their importance in the prescribed sacrificial system. The context is one of royal support for the Jewish community's religious practices, ensuring the continuation of their worship.
2. **[[Ezra 7:17]]**: This passage contains the decree of King Artaxerxes I, similarly providing for the temple. He instructs that funds be used to purchase "young bulls, rams (דִּכְרִין), and lambs, with their grain offerings and drink offerings," all intended for offering upon the altar in Jerusalem. The repetition of "rams" alongside other specific sacrificial animals reinforces their established role in the cultic rituals. This demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Persian monarchy to facilitate the temple services, seen by the biblical authors as divine providence.
In both contexts, דְּכַר refers to male sheep designated for sacrificial purposes, highlighting their economic and ritual significance in the post-exilic temple cult.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the Hebrew cognate זָכָר (zakar, `{{H2145}}`), which universally means "male." While זָכָר has a much wider application (e.g., male child, male animal of various species), דְּכַר in biblical Aramaic is specialized to "ram."
Other related terms for sacrificial animals include:
* עַיִל (ayil, `{{H352}}`): The common Hebrew word for "ram," often used in contexts of sacrifice (e.g., [[Genesis 22:13]], [[Exodus 29:1]]). This is the direct Hebrew parallel in meaning to דְּכַר's specific usage.
* כֶּבֶשׂ (kebes, `{{H3532}}`): "Lamb," typically a young male sheep, also a common sacrificial animal.
* שֶׂה (seh, `{{H7716}}`): A general term for a sheep or goat, often referring to a lamb.
* פַּר (par, `{{H6510}}`): "Young bull" or "ox," another significant sacrificial animal frequently mentioned alongside rams.
Conceptually, דְּכַר is intertwined with the broader themes of:
* **Sacrifice (זֶבַח, zevach):** The act of offering animals to God as an act of worship, atonement, or thanksgiving.
* **Burnt Offering (עוֹלָה, olah):** A specific type of sacrifice where the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication.
* **Temple Worship:** The ritual practices centered at the Jerusalem Temple, which required specific animals for various offerings.
### Theological Significance
While דְּכַר (dᵉkar, `{{H1798}}`) itself is a descriptive term, its theological significance derives from its function within the sacrificial system. Rams were integral components of Israelite worship, particularly in burnt offerings and peace offerings. The requirement for male animals, often unblemished, underscored principles of purity, wholeness, and the offering of the best to God.
The provision of rams (דִּכְרִין) by foreign kings like Darius and Artaxerxes, as recorded in Ezra, carries significant theological weight. It demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations and His providential hand in ensuring the restoration and continuation of His people's worship. Even pagan rulers were moved by divine influence to support the Temple and its services, providing the very animals necessary for sacrifice. This highlights the belief that God works through various means, even unexpected ones, to fulfill His purposes for His covenant people. The ram, as a strong and leading animal in a flock, could also subtly represent the strength and faithfulness required in worship, though the primary emphasis here is on its role as a prescribed offering.
### Summary
The Aramaic term דְּכַר (dᵉkar, `{{H1798}}`) is a specialized word meaning "male," specifically used in biblical Aramaic to denote a "ram" or male sheep. Its occurrences are limited to the book of Ezra ([[Ezra 6:9]], [[Ezra 7:17]]), where it consistently refers to rams provided for the sacrificial system at the Second Temple in Jerusalem. As a direct Aramaic counterpart to the Hebrew זָכָר (zakar, `{{H2145}}`), its specific application to rams aligns it closely with the Hebrew term עַיִל (ayil, `{{H352}}`). The theological significance of דְּכַר lies not in the word itself, but in the role of the ram as a divinely appointed sacrificial animal, and in the profound theological implication that God orchestrated even foreign kings to provide these animals, thereby ensuring the continuity of His people's worship and demonstrating His sovereign care.
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