נָאַר
𐤍𐤀𐤓
nâʼar
H5010 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To reject or repudiate, especially with the sense of spurning, discarding, or declaring unfit. The term is typically used to describe an act of rejecting something as valueless, abhorrent, or unworthy—whether a person, object, or idea. Depending on context, it can indicate a forceful act of making something void, casting off, or rendering without effect.
Semantic Range
to reject, to abhor, to repudiate, to annul, to make void, to discard, to declare null or empty
Root / Etymology
Root: נאר (nun-aleph-resh). This root is only attested in limited occurrences and may denote a basic sense of blowing away, casting aside, or purging. The verb form derives directly from this root and falls under root pattern Pa'al/Qal, expressing a basic action of rejection or refusal. The relationship to other Hebrew roots is uncertain beyond possible semantic overlap with roots conveying removal or nullification.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb נָאַר occurs infrequently in biblical Hebrew (e.g., Psalm 89:39). In context, it most often describes an action of forcefully rejecting, revoking, or making void something that was previously established (such as a covenant, promise, or status). Its nuance is often stronger than the common חָרַם (to ban, devote to destruction) or מָאַס (to reject, despise), carrying the implication of making something empty or null. Standard English translations frequently render the word as 'cast off,' 'abhor,' or 'make void,' but these may not capture the intensity or official nature of the rejection implied. In post-biblical periods, the root is not widely attested, and other Hebrew verbs became more common. The association with legal or covenantal contexts (e.g., abrogating a promise or agreement) is noteworthy. The word is distinct from later Rabbinic Hebrew terms for annulment or invalidation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to reject; abhor, make void.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נאר (n-ʾ-r) — to reject, to cast off, to void
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5010-02 |
נִאֵ֣ר | nier | HVpp3ms |
he has abhorred | he has utterly rejected | 1 |
H5010-01 |
נֵ֭אַרְתָּה | nearetah | HVpp2ms |
You have abrogated | you have utterly rejected | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5010-01 |
Psalms 89:40 | נֵ֭אַרְתָּה | nearetah | HVpp2ms |
You have abrogated | you have utterly rejected |
H5010-02 |
Lamentations 2:7 | נִאֵ֣ר | nier | HVpp3ms |
he has abhorred | he has utterly rejected |