Bible Encyclopedias
Precious

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

presh´us (stands for 17 different words, chief of which are יקר , yāḳar ; τίμιος , tı́mios ): (1) Generally in the literal sense, "of great price," "costly," "expensive," of material things (e.g. Proverbs 1:13; Jeremiah 20:5; Mark 14:3 the King James Version), especially of precious stones ( 2 Samuel 12:30; 2 Chronicles 3:6; 1 Corinthians 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" ( Psalm 116:15 ); "his precious and exceeding great promises" (2 Peter 1:4 ); compare Psalm 139:17; 2 Peter 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" (1 Peter 1:18 , 1 Peter 1:19 ). "Preciousness" (τιμή , timḗ ) occurs in 1 Peter 2:7 the American Standard Revised Version, the English Revised Version, for the King James Version "precious."

Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Precious'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​isb/​p/precious.html. 1915.