(stands for 17 different words, chief of which are yaqar; timios):

(1) Generally in the literal sense, "of great price," "costly," "expensive," of material things (e.g. Pr 1:13; Jer 20:5; Mr 14:3 the [[King James Version]]), especially of precious stones (2Sa 12:30; 2Ch 3:6; 1Co 3:12 the King James Version, etc.).

(2) Sometimes "of great moral (non-material) value." "Precious in the sight of Yahweh is the death of his saints" (Ps 116:15); "his precious and exceeding great promises" (2Pe 1:4); compare Ps 139:17; 2Pe 1:1.

The literal and the moral senses are both involved in the expression, "knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, .... but with precious blood" (1Pe 1:18,19). "Preciousness" (time) occurs in 1Pe 2:7 the American Standard [[Revised Version]], the English Revised Version, for the King James Version "precious."

D. Miall Edwards