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בָּרָק

𐤁𐤓𐤒

bârâq

H1300 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ברק to flash, to gleam, to shine suddenly

Definition

Lightning – a sudden flash or discharge of atmospheric electricity. The term primarily denotes a natural phenomenon (lightning) but is also used figuratively for intense brightness or a sudden flash, sometimes extending metaphorically to describe objects with a brilliant appearance, such as flashing swords or dazzling light. The concept includes both literal and figurative senses, but the core idea is a striking burst of brightness in the sky or from an object.

Semantic Range

lightning (atmospheric phenomenon), a flash or gleam of light, dazzling or brilliant display (esp. of metal or weaponry), figurative extension to striking manifestation of power or presence

Root / Etymology

From the root בָּרַק (BRQ), meaning 'to flash, to gleam, to shine.' בָּרָק is the nominal form, built upon this verb root, literally meaning 'flash' or 'lightning.' The verb root appears in poetic and descriptive passages referencing shining, gleaming, or flashing phenomena, both literal (sky, weather) and figurative or applied (metal, weaponry).

Historical & Contextual Notes

בָּרָק occurs most frequently in poetic, prophetic, and narrative passages to describe literal lightning (e.g., Psalm 77:18, 97:4, Zechariah 9:14), highlighting the awe and suddenness associated with divine or natural power. The term is occasionally extended figuratively to denote a flashing weapon, especially a sword (Deut 32:41, Nahum 3:3), where the imagery draws on the visual quality of polished metal reflecting light abruptly, much as lightning does in the sky. Later Hebrew uses (post-biblical and modern) tend to restrict בָּרָק to 'lightning' proper, but early usages have a wider literary and metaphorical scope. English translations sometimes render בָּרָק as 'lightning' when the context is meteorological, and as 'flash' or 'glitter' (often paired with 'sword') in martial or poetic imagery, though this can understate the vividness of the storm imagery intended in the original. Contrast with related roots such as זהר (zhr, 'to shine'), נגה (ngh, 'brightness'), and פלאש ('to shine, to gleam') which may be used for steadier or less dramatic forms of light; בָּרָק is marked by its sudden, intense, and impressive character.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from בָּרַק; lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword; bright, glitter(-ing sword), lightning.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ברק (b-r-q) — to flash, to gleam, to shine briefly, to strike as lightning

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1299 בָּרַק Flash forth!
H1301 בָּרָק Lightning
H1303 בַּרְקָן the flashing-briers
H1304 בָּרֶקֶת and flashing gem

Word Forms

12 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1300-01 בָּרָ֖ק baraq HNcmsa lightning Lightning 4
H1300-03 בְּרָקִ֤ים beraqim HNcmpa lightnings lightning flashes 4
H1300-10 בָרָֽק varaq HNcmsa lightning Lightning 2
H1300-09 וּ/בְרָקִ֜ים uveraqim HC/Ncmpa and lightnings and lightning-flashes 2
H1300-02 בְּרַ֣ק beraq HNcmsc lightning flash of lightning 2
H1300-11 בְרָקָ֣י/ו veraqayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms his lightnings his lightning-flashes 1
H1300-08 וּ/בְרַ֣ק uveraq HC/Ncmsc and flash and flash-of 1
H1300-04 כַּ/בְּרָקִ֖ים kaberaqim HRd/Ncmpa like lightning lightning flashes 1
H1300-05 כַ/בָּרָ֖ק khabaraq HRd/Ncmsa like-lightning like lightning-flash 1
H1300-07 וּ֭/בָרָק uvaraq HC/Ncmsa and the glittering point and lightning-flash 1

Occurrences in Scripture

21 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1300-09 Exodus 19:16 וּ/בְרָקִ֜ים uveraqim HC/Ncmpa and lightnings and lightning-flashes
H1300-02 Deuteronomy 32:41 בְּרַ֣ק beraq HNcmsc lightning flash of lightning
H1300-01 2 Samuel 22:15 בָּרָ֖ק baraq HNcmsa lightning Lightning
H1300-03 Jeremiah 10:13 בְּרָקִ֤ים beraqim HNcmpa lightnings lightning flashes
H1300-03 Jeremiah 51:16 בְּרָקִ֤ים beraqim HNcmpa lightnings lightning flashes
H1300-10 Ezekiel 1:13 בָרָֽק varaq HNcmsa lightning Lightning
H1300-01 Ezekiel 21:15 בָּ֖רָק baraq HNcmsa lightning Lightning
H1300-06 Ezekiel 21:20 לְ/בָרָ֖ק levaraq HR/Ncmsa like lightning to Lightning
H1300-01 Ezekiel 21:33 בָּרָֽק baraq HNcmsa flash-lightning Lightning
H1300-04 Nahum 2:5 כַּ/בְּרָקִ֖ים kaberaqim HRd/Ncmpa like lightning lightning flashes
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