נְהִיר
𐤍𐤄𐤉𐤓
nᵉhîyr
H5094 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A noun meaning light, brightness, or illumination; used both for literal physical light and, by extension, for mental or spiritual illumination such as wisdom or understanding. Most commonly employed in Aramaic sections of biblical texts.
Semantic Range
brightness, physical light, illumination, clarity, insight, wisdom, understanding (figurative)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Aramaic root נהר (n-h-r), which means 'to shine, be bright, give light.' The noun form conveys the result or quality of shining, i.e., brightness or illumination. The root itself is related to the Hebrew נהר (nahar), also 'to shine,' though in Hebrew usage the noun usually refers to a river (by a different root).
Historical & Contextual Notes
נְהִיר appears only in the Aramaic parts of the Hebrew Bible, primarily in Daniel (e.g., Daniel 5:11, 5:14), where it refers to intellectual or spiritual illumination, particularly the perceived wisdom and insight of Daniel in the Babylonian court. The term's figurative sense (wisdom, insight, clarity of thought) is specific to these contexts, reflecting broader Aramaic usage in the Near East, where light was a common metaphor for knowledge. English translations often render this term as 'light,' 'illumination,' or, in context, as 'insight' or 'understanding.' The term is distinct from the more common Hebrew אֹור ('or, light') and is not used as the standard term for light in broader biblical Hebrew, highlighting its specific Aramaic and Second Temple period context. Later usage in rabbinic and post-biblical Aramaic continues both physical and figurative senses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) or נְהִירוּ; (Aramaic), from the same as נְהָרָה; illumination, i.e. (figuratively) wisdom; light.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נהר (n-h-r) — to shine, to be bright, to illuminate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4492 | מִנְהָרָה | the rock-crevices |
| H5102 | נָהַר | and you radiated |
| H5103 | נְהַר | the river |
| H5104 | נָהָר | in the flowing river |
| H5105 | נְהָרָה | streaming daylight |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5094-02 |
וּ/נְהוֹרָ֖/א | unehora | AC/Ncmsd/Td |
and the light | the illumination | 1 |
H5094-03 |
וְ/נַהִיר֧וּ | venahiru | AC/Ncfsa |
and light | illumination | 1 |
H5094-04 |
ו/נהיר/א | vnhyr | AC/Ncmsd/Td |
and the light | and the brightness | 1 |
H5094-01 |
נַהִיר֧וּ | nahiru | ANcfsa |
illumination | brightness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5094-04 |
Daniel 2:22 | ו/נהיר/א | vnhyr | AC/Ncmsd/Td |
and the light | and the brightness |
H5094-02 |
Daniel 2:22 | וּ/נְהוֹרָ֖/א | unehora | AC/Ncmsd/Td |
and the light | the illumination |
H5094-01 |
Daniel 5:11 | נַהִיר֧וּ | nahiru | ANcfsa |
illumination | brightness |
H5094-03 |
Daniel 5:14 | וְ/נַהִיר֧וּ | venahiru | AC/Ncfsa |
and light | illumination |