דַּר
𐤃𐤓
dar
H1858 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of precious stone, generally understood as 'pearl' or 'mother-of-pearl,' valued for its lustrous sheen; in some contexts, the word may serve as an emblem of whiteness or brightness. The semantic range focuses on the material's visual qualities, especially as a symbol or metaphor for brightness or purity.
Semantic Range
pearl, mother-of-pearl, precious (lustrous) stone, emblem of whiteness or brilliance
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root דרר (dror), meaning 'freedom, flowing, moving rapidly,' but in this noun form (דַּר), the connection appears to be based on the quality of rapid rolling or turning associated with pearls (owing to their round, rolling shape and perhaps their being found by rolling in shells). However, the link between the root and this particular lexical sense is uncertain, and the derivation may reflect folk etymology. The word is rare and may reflect a loanword from a language of trade, given the association with finely worked or valuable gemstones.
Historical & Contextual Notes
דַּר appears only in contexts referring to the luxury items or trade goods brought to Israel or surrounding nations. Its most cited instance is in descriptions of riches and opulent gifts (e.g., 1 Chronicles 29:2), which connect the word to precious decorative materials. English translations traditionally render the term as 'pearl,' 'mother-of-pearl,' or even 'alabaster,' depending on the presumed physical qualities and the surrounding vocabulary. However, 'alabaster' does not match the likely provenance of the word within Hebrew or the broader trade terminology of the ancient Near East, and 'pearl' or 'mother-of-pearl' is preferred. The association with brilliance or whiteness is sometimes emphasized, but not inherent to the noun itself. No direct connection to religious or ethnic identity is attached to the use of דַּר in the biblical text; its function is material and descriptive, not cultural or symbolic in a theological sense. The identification as 'mother-of-pearl' arises from ancient translation traditions (notably the Septuagint and Vulgate), which attempted to match the term to familiar luxury items in Greco-Roman culture. As with other rare terms for exotic materials in the Hebrew Bible, the precise identification remains debated, but its position among other lists of valuables in biblical passages helps clarify its likely sense.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently from the same as דְּרוֹר; properly, a pearl (from its sheen as rapidly turned); by analogy, pearl-stone, i.e. mother-of-pearl or alabaster; [idiom] white.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
דרר (d-r-r) — to move freely, to flow, to circulate
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1858-01 |
וְ/דַ֥ר | vedar | HC/Ncmsa |
and-mother-of-pearl | lustrous pearl | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1858-01 |
Esther 1:6 | וְ/דַ֥ר | vedar | HC/Ncmsa |
and-mother-of-pearl | lustrous pearl |