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יְדִיד

𐤉𐤃𐤉𐤃

yᵉdîyd

H3039 adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

A beloved person, one dearly loved or cherished; used of individuals who are especially favored or held dear by another, often conveying a sense of intimacy and deep affection. Depending on the context, can refer to a friend, companion, or beloved associate, with particular emphasis on endearment and close personal connection.

Semantic Range

beloved, dear one, cherished friend, intimately loved person, favored companion, amiable individual

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ידד (y-d-d), which conveys the core sense of loving or showing affection. יְדִיד is a noun form from this root, indicating 'one who is loved' or 'dear one.' It shares etymological affinity with דּוֹד (dod), which also relates to love, beloved, or uncle, suggesting a broader semantic field of both affectionate relationship and kinship.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, יְדִיד appears in poetic and didactic texts to express closeness, affection, or deep appreciation between individuals or between the divine and a chosen person or group. The use is often literary or elevated in tone. The related term דּוֹד more frequently implies beloved as a member of extended family or a romantic partner (especially in Song of Songs), while יְדִיד more neutrally refers to any beloved or dear friend. English translations typically render this term as 'beloved,' 'dear one,' or 'friend,' but these do not always convey the precise emotional nuance of the Hebrew. Over time, the term’s use shifted mostly to high poetic or honorific contexts. In later periods and non-biblical Hebrew, it continued as a term of endearment. Unlike 'Jew' or its cognates, יְדִיד is never an ethnic or religious identifier.

Translation Consistency

primary "beloved" 8 occurrences

'Beloved' matches the dominant usage (8 of 9 occurrences) and best captures the sense of intimate affection and favored status in biblical contexts. It is natural, familiar in English Bible translation, and covers the full SILEX semantic range (cherished, dear one, favored companion) more consistently than alternatives like 'dear' or 'lovely.'

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"lovely" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as דּוֹד; loved; amiable, (well-) beloved, loves.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

ידד (y-d-d) — to love, show affection, be fond

Root ידד to love, to be affectionate, show affection
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3032 יָדַד they cast lots
H3033 יְדִדוּת belovedness of
H3040 יְדִידָה Beloved woman
H3041 יְדִידְיָה Beloved of Yah
H4312 מֵידָד Affectionate One

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H3039-01 לִֽ/ידִידִ֔/י lididi HR/Aamsc/Sp1cs to my beloved to my beloved one to my beloved one 3
H3039-04 יְדִידֶ֑י/ךָ yedideykha HAampc/Sp2ms your beloved your beloved ones your beloved ones 2
H3039-05 יְדִידֹֽת yedidot HNcfpa lovely beloved women beloved women 2
H3039-03 יְדִ֣יד yedid HAamsc beloved beloved one of beloved one of 1
H3039-02 לִֽ/ידִיד֣/וֹ lidido HR/Aamsc/Sp3ms to his beloved to his beloved one to his beloved one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H3039-03 Deuteronomy 33:12 יְדִ֣יד yedid HAamsc beloved beloved one of beloved one of
H3039-01 Isaiah 5:1 לִֽ/ידִידִ֔/י lididi HR/Aamsc/Sp1cs to my beloved to my beloved one to my beloved one
H3039-01 Isaiah 5:1 לִֽ/ידִידִ֖/י lididi-2 HR/Aamsc/Sp1cs to my beloved to my beloved one to my beloved one
H3039-01 Jeremiah 11:15 לִֽ/ידִידִ֞/י lididi HR/Aamsc/Sp1cs to my beloved to my beloved one to my beloved one
H3039-05 Psalms 45:1 יְדִידֹֽת yedidot HNcfpa of loves beloved women beloved women
H3039-04 Psalms 60:7 יְדִידֶ֑י/ךָ yedideykha HAampc/Sp2ms your beloved your beloved ones your beloved ones
H3039-05 Psalms 84:2 יְּדִיד֥וֹת yedidot HAafpa lovely beloved women lovely
H3039-04 Psalms 108:7 יְדִידֶ֑י/ךָ yedideykha HAampc/Sp2ms your beloved your beloved ones your beloved ones
H3039-02 Psalms 127:2 לִֽ/ידִיד֣/וֹ lidido HR/Aamsc/Sp3ms to his beloved to his beloved one to his beloved one
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