Lexical Summary yadid: Beloved, dear, loved one Original Word: יְדִיד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance amiable, well-beloved, loves From the same as dowd; loved -- amiable, (well-)beloved, loves. see HEBREW dowd NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition beloved NASB Translation beloved (5), lovely (1), well-beloved (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [יָדִיד] adjective (poetry) beloved (Late Hebrew id., Aramaic  ) — construct יְדִיד Deuteronomy 33:12; suffix לִידִידִי Isaiah 5:1 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 11:15; לִידִידוֺ Psalm 127:2; plural suffix יְדִידֶיךָ Psalm 60:7; Psalm 108:7; feminine יְדִידֹת Psalm 45:1; יְדִידוֺת Psalm 84:2; — 1 my beloved, used by prophets of ׳י under figure of husbandman Isaiah 5:1 (twice in verse); so my (thy, his) beloved Jeremiah 11:15; Psalm 60:7 = Psalm 108:7Psalm 2; beloved, of Benjamin as beloved by ׳י Deuteronomy 33:12. 2 lovely, מַהיְּֿדִידוֺת מִשְׁכְּנוֺתֶיךָ Psalm 84:2 how lovely are thy habitations ! 3 feminine plural as abstract substantive שִׁיר יְדִידֹת Psalm 45:1 = a song of love. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Semantic Range יְדִיד portrays an intimate, covenantal affection that moves beyond generic friendship to cherished, protective love. In Scripture the word can describe an individual (Benjamin), a community (“Your beloved ones”), a place (the temple precincts), or a metaphorical object (the vineyard of Isaiah 5). Whether singular or plural, the nuance is always of one held precious and secure within a loyal relationship. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Deuteronomy 33:12 – Benjamin, “the beloved of the LORD,” enjoys continual protection as he “dwells between His shoulders.” Covenantal Love and Security The blessing on Benjamin (Deuteronomy 33:12) anchors the theme. By calling the tribe “beloved,” Moses reminds Israel that divine election is rooted in God’s steadfast affection, not human merit. The imagery of dwelling “between His shoulders” evokes a shepherd carrying a lamb or a parent carrying a child—an abiding promise of protection applicable to every believer resting in God’s covenant grace. Intercession and Deliverance Both Psalm 60:5 and Psalm 108:6 position יְדִיד within wartime liturgy. The psalmist pleads for national deliverance precisely because the people are loved: “That Your beloved may be delivered.” Intercessors today likewise appeal to God’s covenant love when praying for the church under pressure, confident that He defends those He calls precious. Devotion and Worship Psalm 84 shifts the focus from people to place. The tabernacles themselves are “lovely” (literally, “beloved ones”), expressing how worshipers treasure God’s dwelling. The verse forms the heartbeat of temple spirituality: the sanctuary is desirable because the Lord—who counts His people beloved—makes Himself present there. Corporate worship remains vital for the church because it is the meeting place of the Beloved and the beloved. Fruitfulness and Rest Psalm 127:2 contrasts anxious toil with the restful gift God gives His beloved. The verse reassures laborers and parents (see verses 3–5) that productivity springs not from sleepless striving but from divine favor. It legitimizes Sabbath rhythms, encouraging ministries to prize rest as a sign of trust in the Father’s affection. Prophetic Imagery and Messianic Hints Isaiah’s vineyard song employs יְדִיד twice to frame the drama of covenant love betrayed. The vineyard represents Israel; the Beloved is the LORD who expected fruit but found only “wild grapes.” In concentrating the term on the Divine Shepherd–Vinedresser, Isaiah anticipates the New Testament identification of the Father twice declaring Jesus “My beloved Son” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5). The word therefore hints at the suffering yet faithful Servant whose obedience would yield the righteous fruit lacking in Isaiah’s generation. Warning Against Apostasy Jeremiah 11:15 exposes the peril of presuming upon divine affection while practicing sin: “What is My beloved doing in My house, as she works out her evil schemes with many?” Love is not license; covenant intimacy intensifies, rather than dilutes, the call to holiness. Churches must heed this balance, coupling assurance in God’s love with vigilance against compromise. Historical Background The majority of occurrences cluster in exilic or post-exilic worship material (Psalms) and eighth–seventh-century prophetic orations (Isaiah, Jeremiah). Each setting features political upheaval—Assyrian aggression, Babylonian threat, or exile return. Against such instability, יְדִיד affirms that divine affection endures despite national fragility. This theological anchor fortified Israel’s hope and later informed Jewish and Christian confession amid persecution. Practical Ministry Applications • Identity Formation: Teaching believers to see themselves as “the beloved of the LORD” fosters security, humility, and mission zeal. Christological Fulfillment As the ultimate Benjamin (“Son of the right hand”) and the true Israel, Jesus embodies the title Beloved. The Father’s declarations at His baptism and transfiguration affirm Him as the One on whom covenant affection eternally rests. Through union with Christ, believers inherit the same designation (Ephesians 1:6), fulfilling the Old Testament trajectory of יְדִיד from tribal blessing to universal family. Summary יְדִיד threads Scripture with a portrait of precious, protective love that steadies God’s people, fuels intercession, sanctifies worship, grants rest, warns against complacency, and ultimately culminates in the Father’s delight in the Son and those united to Him. Forms and Transliterations יְּדִיד֥וֹת יְדִ֣יד יְדִידֶ֑יךָ יְדִידֹֽת׃ ידיד ידידות ידידיך ידידת׃ לִֽידִיד֣וֹ לִֽידִידִ֔י לִֽידִידִ֖י לִֽידִידִ֞י לידידו לידידי lî·ḏî·ḏî lî·ḏî·ḏōw lidiDi lîḏîḏî lidiDo lîḏîḏōw yə·ḏî·ḏe·ḵā yə·ḏî·ḏō·wṯ yə·ḏî·ḏōṯ yə·ḏîḏ yeDid yəḏîḏ yediDeicha yəḏîḏeḵā yediDot yəḏîḏōṯ yəḏîḏōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 33:12 HEB: לְבִנְיָמִ֣ן אָמַ֔ר יְדִ֣יד יְהֹוָ֔ה יִשְׁכֹּ֥ן NAS: he said, May the beloved of the LORD KJV: he said, The beloved of the LORD INT: of Benjamin said may the beloved of the LORD dwell Psalm 45:1 Psalm 60:5 Psalm 84:1 Psalm 108:6 Psalm 127:2 Isaiah 5:1 Isaiah 5:1 Jeremiah 11:15 9 Occurrences |
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