Lexical Summary yaqqir: dear Original Word: יַקִּיר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dear From yaqar; precious -- dear. see HEBREW yaqar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yaqar Definition very precious, dear NASB Translation dear (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יַקִּיר adjective intransitive very precious, dear; only הֲבֵן יַקִּיר לִי אֶפְרַיִם Jeremiah 31:20 is Ephraim a very precious son unto me ? ("" יֶלֶד שַׁעֲשׁוּעִים). Topical Lexicon Meaning and semantic range Yaqir conveys the idea of something or someone held as very precious, costly, rare, and therefore deeply treasured. It goes beyond monetary value, expressing relational delight and tender affection. Biblical occurrence The term appears once, in Jeremiah 31:20, where the LORD asks, “Is Ephraim not a precious son to Me, a delightful child?”. Here yaqir is placed alongside “delightful” to intensify how cherished Ephraim is in God’s heart, despite the nation’s prior rebellion. Covenantal resonance in Jeremiah 31 Jeremiah 31 contains the promise of the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). By calling wayward Ephraim “precious,” the LORD reveals that covenant faithfulness originates in His steadfast love, not in Israel’s performance. The word serves as an anchor for the chapter’s escalating comfort: God’s chastening has a redemptive purpose, leading to restoration (Jeremiah 31:18-19, 31-34). Historical backdrop Jeremiah ministered during the final decades of Judah before the Babylonian exile. Northern tribes, often summarized by the name Ephraim, had already been exiled by Assyria (2 Kings 17:6). Declaring Ephraim “precious” during Judah’s own crisis underscored divine commitment to reunify and renew all twelve tribes (Jeremiah 31:27-28). God’s fatherly affection and discipline The verse pairs two realities: “whenever I speak against him, I still remember him.” Loving correction (Hebrews 12:5-11) never cancels divine affection. Yaqir thus balances holiness and mercy, reminding readers that chastisement flows from a Father’s heart yearning for His children. Intertextual echoes and related terms • Segullah (“treasured possession,” Exodus 19:5) highlights covenant privilege. Christological insights The Father’s pronouncement over Ephraim foreshadows the ultimate “beloved Son” (Matthew 3:17). In Christ, exiled sinners are received as “precious” children (Ephesians 1:5-7). His priceless blood (1 Peter 1:18-19) secures the restoration envisioned in Jeremiah 31. Implications for pastoral ministry 1. Assurance of worth: Preach the believer’s value grounded in God’s declaration, not self-worth or achievement. Personal and corporate application Meditate on the fact that the LORD’s heart “yearns” for His people. Let this fuel worship, motivate holiness, and inspire evangelistic confidence: those yet far off may already be regarded by God as yaqir, awaiting the call to return. See also Isaiah 43:4; Zechariah 9:16; Malachi 3:17; Romans 9:25-26; 1 Peter 2:4-10 Forms and Transliterations יַקִּ֨יר יקיר yakKir yaq·qîr yaqqîrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 31:20 HEB: הֲבֵן֩ יַקִּ֨יר לִ֜י אֶפְרַ֗יִם NAS: Is Ephraim My dear son? KJV: [Is] Ephraim my dear son? INT: afflicted my dear is Ephraim lo 1 Occurrence |
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