The Hebrew word hâdar, represented by H1921, is a primitive root with a range of meanings connected to the idea of swelling up, literally or figuratively. It appears 7 times in 7 unique verses. Its application in scripture can mean to honour or favor someone, to be glorious or high, to put forth oneself with pride, or even to describe a crooked place.
In biblical law, H1921 is used to command impartiality. Leviticus 19:15 forbids judges to honour the person of the mighty, just as Exodus 23:3 forbids them to countenance a poor man in his cause. The word also dictates social conduct, commanding respect for the elderly: "thou shalt... honour the face of the old man" Leviticus 19:32. In contrast, Lamentations 5:12 mourns a time when elders were not honoured. The word can also carry a sense of majesty, as when describing a figure from Edom who is glorious in his apparel Isaiah 63:1, or describe a physical landscape, as when God promises to make the crooked places straight Isaiah 45:2. Finally, it is used as a warning against pride, advising not to put forth oneself in the presence of a king Proverbs 25:6.
Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H1921 is used:
- H1419 gâdôwl (great): This word is used to describe the "mighty" or "great men" who should not receive undue honour in judgment, highlighting the theme of impartiality (Leviticus 19:15, Proverbs 25:6).
- H3372 yârêʼ (to fear; morally, to revere): This term is paired directly with hâdar. The command to honour the old man is immediately followed by the command to fear God, linking social respect to holy reverence Leviticus 19:32.
- H8199 shâphaṭ (to judge): This word establishes the legal setting where showing improper honor is forbidden. The command in Leviticus 19:15 is to judge thy neighbour in righteousness, not to honour or favor based on status.
The theological weight of H1921 is seen in its application to principles of justice, reverence, and humility.
- Impartial Justice: The word is used negatively to prohibit favoritism in judgment. The law commands that one must not honour the mighty Leviticus 19:15 or countenance the poor Exodus 23:3, establishing a standard of divine justice that is based on righteousness H6664, not status.
- Reverence and Social Order: The command to honour elders is explicitly connected to the command to fear God Leviticus 19:32. This grounds the structure of a godly society in reverence, and its absence is a sign of social collapse Lamentations 5:12.
- Humility and Pride: H1921 carries the dual meaning of being high. It can be a negative quality, as in putting oneself forth proudly Proverbs 25:6, or a positive one, as in the glorious appearance of a divine warrior Isaiah 63:1.
- Divine Sovereignty: The word is used to describe the crooked places that God alone can make straight, illustrating His power to overcome any obstacle and bring about His plan Isaiah 45:2.
In summary, H1921 is a multifaceted word that revolves around the concept of being "high" or "swollen." Its meaning shifts dramatically with context, from the proper honour due to elders to the improper favoritism forbidden in court. It can describe the majesty of a glorious figure, the arrogance of one who would put forth himself, or even a physical crooked place. Through this single term, scripture provides instruction on justice, humility, and reverence for both God and man.
TRV