(Aramaic) corresponding to יְקָר; {value, i.e. (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity}; glory, honour.
Transliteration:yᵉqâr
Pronunciation:yek-awr'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word `{{H3367}}` (yᵉqâr) carries a rich semantic range, centering on the concept of "value" or "preciousness." Fundamentally, it denotes inherent worth. This core meaning branches into several distinct yet related applications. Concretely, it can refer to material "wealth" or "riches," signifying possessions of great monetary or intrinsic value. Abstractly, `{{H3367}}` extends to denote "costliness," "dignity," "honor," and "glory." In this sense, it describes an esteemed status, a reputation of high regard, or the splendor associated with power and majesty. It is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew word `{{H3368}}` (yᵉqâr), sharing a common root and largely overlapping in meaning, emphasizing preciousness, honor, and dignity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic term, `{{H3367}}` appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, primarily in the book of Daniel and once in Ezra. Its usage consistently reflects the facets of honor, glory, and dignity, often in royal or divine contexts.
In Daniel, the word frequently describes the majesty and authority of kings, particularly Nebuchadnezzar:
* In [[Daniel 2:6]], King Nebuchadnezzar promises "reward, and honor, and great glory" (yᵉqâr) to the Chaldean wise men if they can interpret his dream. Here, it signifies the high esteem and public recognition bestowed by a sovereign.
* [[Daniel 2:37]] attributes to Nebuchadnezzar "glory and majesty" (yᵉqâr) given by the God of heaven. This highlights the divine source of earthly authority and splendor.
* Similarly, [[Daniel 5:18]] recounts how God "gave Nebuchadnezzar your father majesty, and glory, and honor" (yᵉqâr), underscoring the transient nature of human power when not acknowledged as divinely granted.
* A poignant contrast appears in [[Daniel 4:30]], where Nebuchadnezzar boasts, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?" (yᵉqâr). Here, `{{H3367}}` denotes the king's self-exaltation and pride in his own perceived glory, which immediately precedes his humbling.
In Ezra, the term takes on a different, yet related, nuance:
* [[Ezra 7:27]] uses `{{H3367}}` in a blessing to God: "Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem." Here, "to beautify" or "to give glory/honor" (yᵉqâr) to the house of the Lord signifies an act of reverence and dedication, emphasizing the value and esteemed status of God's sanctuary.
Across these occurrences, `{{H3367}}` consistently denotes a high degree of worth, whether in the form of royal honor, divinely bestowed majesty, human pride, or the reverence due to sacred spaces.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to `{{H3367}}` is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H3368}}` (yᵉqâr), which shares the same root (יקר) and a nearly identical range of meanings, encompassing preciousness, costliness, honor, and dignity. This shared lexical heritage underscores the consistent biblical understanding of "value" across both Hebrew and Aramaic texts.
Broader concepts related to `{{H3367}}` include:
* **Glory (Hebrew `{{H3519}}` *kavod*):** While `{{H3519}}` often carries the sense of weight, substance, and manifest presence (especially of God), it frequently overlaps with `{{H3367}}` in denoting honor, reputation, and splendor.
* **Majesty/Splendor (e.g., Hebrew `{{H1926}}` *hadar*):** Words describing outward magnificence and regal bearing often complement the internal dignity implied by `{{H3367}}`.
* **Wealth/Riches (e.g., Hebrew `{{H6149}}` *osher*):** When `{{H3367}}` refers to concrete "wealth," it aligns with terms for material abundance, though `{{H3367}}` uniquely carries the connotation of inherent value or preciousness.
The conceptual framework surrounding `{{H3367}}` includes the divine prerogative to bestow and withdraw honor, the human capacity for both receiving and mismanaging glory, and the intrinsic worth of God's dwelling place.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H3367}}` is profound, particularly in the book of Daniel. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty over all earthly power and glory. While human kings may possess great "yᵉqâr" (glory, majesty), the biblical narrative consistently attributes its origin to God. [[Daniel 2:37]] and [[Daniel 5:18]] explicitly state that God grants kings their authority and splendor. This divinely bestowed honor is not inherent to the ruler but is a stewardship from the Most High.
Conversely, the use of `{{H3367}}` in [[Daniel 4:30]] highlights the spiritual danger of self-exaltation. When Nebuchadnezzar claims the "glory of my majesty" as his own doing, he usurps God's prerogative, leading to his humbling. This illustrates a crucial theological principle: true honor and dignity flow from God, and any attempt to claim it independently leads to spiritual downfall.
The single occurrence in [[Ezra 7:27]] further extends the theological scope by applying "yᵉqâr" to the house of the Lord. This signifies that God's dwelling place, and by extension, His worship, is worthy of the highest honor and beautification. It underscores the preciousness of sacred space and divine service in the eyes of God and His faithful. Thus, `{{H3367}}` points to the source of all true glory (God), the proper recipient of glory (God and His purposes), and the peril of misplaced glory (human pride).
### Summary
The Aramaic word `{{H3367}}` (yᵉqâr) is a multifaceted term primarily denoting "value" or "preciousness." Its semantic range extends from concrete "wealth" or "costliness" to abstract concepts of "dignity," "honor," and "glory." In its biblical occurrences, largely within Daniel and Ezra, `{{H3367}}` consistently describes the splendor and authority associated with kings, often emphasizing its divine origin. It serves as a theological marker, illustrating that true majesty and honor are gifts from God, to be stewarded with humility. The misuse of this "yᵉqâr" through human pride, as seen in Nebuchadnezzar, leads to divine judgment. Conversely, its application to the temple in Ezra highlights the profound honor and value due to God's sacred presence and purposes. Ultimately, {{H3367}}` underscores the transient nature of human glory apart from God and the enduring worth of that which God Himself bestows or deems precious.
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