1923. hadar
Lexical Summary
hadar: majesty

Original Word: הֲדַר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: hadar
Pronunciation: hah-DAHR
Phonetic Spelling: (had-ar')
KJV: honour, majesty
NASB: majesty
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) from H192 (אֱוִיל מְרוֹדַך - Evil-merodach)2]

1. magnificence

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
honor, majesty

(Aramaic) from hadar; magnificence -- honour, majesty.

see HEBREW hadar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
(Aramaic) from hadar
Definition
an honor, majesty
NASB Translation
majesty (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[הֲדַר] noun [masculine] honour, majesty, of king; — emphatic הַדְרָא Daniel 5:18; suffix הַדְרִי Daniel 4:27; Daniel 4:33 (where Behrm plausibly (after Theod.) הַדְרֵת [ᵑ7 הֲדַר return]).

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scope

Hadar denotes visible magnificence, royal dignity, and the public display of honor. It appears in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament and captures the splendor that surrounds a throne, a kingdom, or any person to whom God has delegated authority. The term speaks of glory that can be seen and recognized, not merely acknowledged internally.

Canonical Occurrences

1. Daniel 4:30 – Nebuchadnezzar boasts, “Is this not Babylon I have built as the royal residence by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”.
2. Daniel 4:36 – After his judgment and restoration, the king testifies, “my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom.”
3. Daniel 5:18 – Daniel reminds Belshazzar that “the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor.”

Historical Setting

The Babylonian court was famed for its pomp, imposing architecture, and ceremonial grandeur. Hadar perfectly suits this milieu, where imperial propaganda equated earthly magnificence with divine favor. Yet the Book of Daniel frames that splendor within God’s higher sovereignty, clarifying that every vestige of royal glory is derivative and revocable.

Theological Significance

1. Derived, Not Innate – In each occurrence, splendour is shown to come from God. When Nebuchadnezzar exalts himself, he loses everything; when he acknowledges the Most High, hadar returns (Daniel 4:36).
2. Divine Sovereignty – The narrative demonstrates that God alone bestows honor (Daniel 5:18). Human rulers, however formidable, hold majesty on loan.
3. Judgment and Mercy – Hadar can be withdrawn as an act of judgment and restored as an act of mercy, underscoring both God’s justice and grace.

Christological Foreshadowing

Earthly rulers display temporary hadar; Christ embodies perfect and everlasting majesty. The glory that filled Solomon’s Temple and Babylon’s halls foreshadows the superior splendor of the risen Lord (Revelation 1:12–16; Hebrews 1:3). The contrast between borrowed Babylonian majesty and Christ’s intrinsic glory highlights His unique kingship.

Pastoral Implications

• Leadership – Any authority exercised in church, state, or family is a stewardship. Pride turns delegated honor into an idol; humility keeps it an offering to God.
• Identity – Believers find their dignity in union with Christ, not in titles or achievements. This guards against both arrogance and despair.
• Worship – Recognizing God as the giver of all splendor fuels heartfelt praise and thanksgiving.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Preaching – Daniel’s use of hadar offers a vivid illustration when exhorting rulers, employers, or parents about servant leadership.
2. Counseling – When counseling those crushed by lost status or success, point to Nebuchadnezzar’s restoration to show that dignity can be recovered when one submits to God.
3. Discipleship – Encourage believers to pursue excellence (Colossians 3:23) without making personal “splendor” an idol.

Related Biblical Themes and Cross-References

• Hebrew hod (splendor): Proverbs 20:29; Isaiah 35:2
• Divine bestowal of glory: Psalm 8:5; John 17:22
• God’s removal of honor: 1 Samuel 15:28; Acts 12:21–23
• Christ’s superior majesty: Philippians 2:9–11; 2 Peter 1:16–17

Summary

Hadar in Daniel magnifies the truth that all human grandeur is granted by God, accountable to God, and ultimately meant to reflect God. Properly understood, it draws worshipers away from the fleeting glitter of worldly kingdoms to the everlasting splendor of the King of kings.

Forms and Transliterations
הַדְרִ֤י הַדְרִֽי׃ הדרי הדרי׃ וְהַדְרָ֔ה והדרה haḏ·rî hadRi haḏrî vehadRah wə·haḏ·rāh wəhaḏrāh
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Englishman's Concordance
Daniel 4:30
HEB: חִסְנִ֖י וְלִיקָ֥ר הַדְרִֽי׃
NAS: and for the glory of my majesty?'
KJV: and for the honour of my majesty?
INT: of my power the glory honour

Daniel 4:36
HEB: וְלִיקַ֨ר מַלְכוּתִ֜י הַדְרִ֤י וְזִוִי֙ יְת֣וּב
NAS: returned to me. And my majesty and splendor
KJV: of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness
INT: the glory of my kingdom and my majesty and splendor were restored

Daniel 5:18
HEB: וּרְבוּתָא֙ וִיקָרָ֣א וְהַדְרָ֔ה יְהַ֖ב לִנְבֻכַדְנֶצַּ֥ר
NAS: glory and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar
KJV: and majesty, and glory, and honour:
INT: grandeur glory and majesty granted to Nebuchadnezzar

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1923
3 Occurrences


haḏ·rî — 2 Occ.
wə·haḏ·rāh — 1 Occ.

1922
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