### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term yaqqîyr (`{{H3357}}`) stems from the root yāqar (`{{H3368}}`), which in both Hebrew and Aramaic conveys the fundamental idea of being heavy, weighty, or valuable. As an adjective, yaqqîyr describes something or someone as "precious," "dear," "costly," or "honorable." Its semantic range encompasses both intrinsic worth and high esteem, emphasizing significant value. In biblical usage, particularly within the Aramaic portions of Daniel, it leans towards highlighting the inherent value or importance of a subject, whether material strength or divine significance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term yaqqîyr (`{{H3357}}`) is found in the Aramaic sections of the book of Daniel, appearing twice according to Strong's concordance. These occurrences underscore its specific application within the prophetic visions concerning world empires and God's ultimate sovereignty.
1. **[[Daniel 2:41]]**: In the description of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, referring to the feet and toes of the statue, which are "part of potter's clay, and part of iron." While not always explicitly translated as "precious" in English versions, the Aramaic yaqqîyr here, if present as indicated by Strong's, would likely describe the inherent "strength" or "preciousness" of the iron component. It emphasizes the valuable, unyielding, and powerful nature of the iron, even when mixed with the brittle clay, highlighting its distinct and significant characteristic within the composite kingdom.
2. **[[Daniel 2:45]]**: Describing the stone "cut out of the mountain without hands" that shatters the entire statue. If yaqqîyr is applied here, it would most profoundly signify the incomparable "preciousness" or unique value of this divinely-hewn stone. This stone represents God's eternal kingdom, which surpasses and ultimately destroys all human empires. The term would emphasize the supreme, unmatchable worth and divine origin of this ultimate kingdom, setting it apart from the preceding earthly kingdoms, no matter how "precious" their components might have seemed.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of yaqqîyr (`{{H3357}}`) is greatly enriched by examining its linguistic family:
* **Root yāqar (`{{H3368}}`)**: This is the foundational verbal root, meaning "to be precious, costly, weighty, honorable." It is extensively used in Hebrew to describe things of great value, whether material (e.g., precious stones) or abstract (e.g., wisdom, God's word).
* **yāqār (`{{H3366}}`)**: The direct Hebrew adjectival cognate, also meaning "precious, costly, rare, weighty, honorable." This term is frequently employed to denote high value, as seen in "precious stones" ([[1 Kings 10:2]]) or the "precious blood" of the righteous ([[Psalm 72:14]]).
* **yĕqār (`{{H3367}}`)**: The Hebrew noun derived from the same root, signifying "preciousness, costliness, honor, splendor." It can refer to the intrinsic value of an object or the dignity and honor accorded to a person or concept.
These related terms collectively form a robust semantic field centered on value, esteem, and honor. yaqqîyr (`{{H3357}}`) extends this core concept into the Aramaic portions of the biblical text, maintaining a consistent theological emphasis on worth and significance.
### Theological Significance
Despite its limited biblical occurrences, the theological implications of yaqqîyr (`{{H3357}}`) are profound, particularly within the context of Daniel's prophecies.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Valuation**: The term highlights God's ultimate authority in assigning worth. While human empires may possess components perceived as yaqqîyr (e.g., the strength of iron), their value is temporal and ultimately superseded. The true and enduring yaqqîyr is found in God's eternal kingdom, represented by the stone "cut out without hands" ([[Daniel 2:45]]). This underscores that ultimate preciousness and lasting significance originate solely from divine purpose and action.
* **Contrast between Earthly and Heavenly Value**: The narrative in Daniel vividly contrasts the transient "preciousness" of worldly power and glory with the incomparable, divinely-sourced preciousness of God's reign. Human strength and splendor, though seemingly valuable for a season, are shown to be fragile and ultimately subject to the sovereign will of God.
* **God's Esteem**: More broadly, the root yāqar (`{{H3368}}`) and its derivatives are often used to describe what is precious to God, such as the lives of His faithful ([[Psalm 116:15]]) or His covenant promises. Conversely, God Himself is depicted as supremely yaqqîyr, worthy of all honor and worship. Thus, yaqqîyr points to both that which God values and to God's own inherent, immeasurable value.
### Summary
The Aramaic term yaqqîyr (`{{H3357}}`), derived from the root yāqar (`{{H3368}}`), fundamentally means "precious" or "dear." Its presence in the Aramaic sections of Daniel ([[Daniel 2:41]], [[Daniel 2:45]]) highlights the intrinsic worth or strength of elements within human empires (like iron), but more significantly, it points to the unparalleled and divinely-sourced preciousness of God's eternal kingdom, depicted as the stone that shatters all earthly dominion. As part of a larger family of words emphasizing value, honor, and esteem, yaqqîyr underscores a crucial biblical truth: true and enduring worth is ultimately defined and established by God. The concept serves to contrast the fleeting value of human endeavors with the eternal and supreme preciousness of divine realities, ultimately magnifying God's sovereignty and the unparalleled glory of His everlasting reign.
TRV