### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Deqer**, represented by `{{H1857}}`, is used as the proper name of an Israelite, **Dekar**. Derived from a root meaning "a stab," it appears only **1 time** across **1 unique verse** in the Bible. Its sole function within the biblical text is to identify a specific individual through his son.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its only biblical appearance, `{{H1857}}` is used to establish the identity of one of the kingdom's officers. The text refers to "The son of **Dekar**" as the person responsible for a specific administrative district [[1 Kings 4:9]]. This reference is part of a larger list that outlines the bureaucratic structure established to provision the royal household, tying the name **Dekar** to a specific administrative function and geographical region.
### Related Words & Concepts
The context of `{{H1857}}` connects it to several other key terms, primarily the name of his son and the locations within his jurisdiction:
* `{{H1128}}` **Ben-Deqer** (the son of Dekar): This is the full designation of the officer, meaning "son of piercing." It is a patronymic name that directly identifies the official by referencing his father, **Dekar** [[1 Kings 4:9]].
* `{{H4739}}` **Mâqats** (Makaz): Defined as "end," this was a place in Palestine located within the administrative territory overseen by the son of Dekar [[1 Kings 4:9]].
* `{{H8169}}` **Shaʻalbîym** (Shaalbim): Meaning "fox-holes," this town was also part of the district managed by Ben-Deker [[1 Kings 4:9]].
* `{{H1053}}` **Bêyth Shemesh** (Beth-shemesh): Meaning "house of (the) sun," this was another key location in the same region [[1 Kings 4:9]].
* `{{H358}}` **ʼÊylôwn Bêyth Chânân** (Elon-bethhanan): Defined as "oak-grove of (the) house of favor," this place marked another boundary of the officer's jurisdiction [[1 Kings 4:9]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H1857}}` is not theological but historical and administrative. Its inclusion in the biblical record serves several functions:
* **Administrative Detail:** The name is part of a meticulous record that highlights the highly organized structure of the Israelite kingdom, demonstrating a sophisticated system for resource management.
* **Patronymic Naming:** The use of "the son of **Dekar**" reflects the cultural importance of lineage and paternal identity, a common practice for identifying individuals in ancient Hebrew society [[1 Kings 4:9]].
* **Geographical Grounding:** By associating **Dekar**'s son with specific locations like Makaz `{{H4739}}` and Shaalbim `{{H8169}}`, the text anchors the historical narrative in a defined, physical space.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1857}}` is a proper name with a single, specific function: to identify the father of a regional administrator. While its root suggests "a stab," its use in scripture is purely as a name, **Dekar**. Its importance lies in the detailed historical and administrative record it helps to create, illustrating the Bible's precision in documenting the civil and organizational realities of the periods it describes.