נַחַר
𐤍𐤇𐤓
nachar
H5170 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
'Nahar' refers primarily to a forceful exhalation or snorting sound, especially as made by animals such as horses. It denotes not just the sound of snorting but also, by extension, the nostrils or nose as the source of this sound. The word can signify either the audible act (snorting, especially in agitation or excitement) or the anatomical feature (nostrils, nose). The feminine form, נַחֲרָה (naharah), carries the same sense and is used in parallel poetry.
Semantic Range
snorting (of a horse or animal), nostrils (as source of snorting), forceful exhalation, loud breath
Root / Etymology
Root/nasal sound: נחר, meaning 'to snort, puff, breathe audibly.' Though the active verb form is not attested in Biblical Hebrew, parallels in other Semitic languages (e.g., Arabic نخر, Akkadian nakāru) indicate a root meaning 'to snort' or 'to make a harsh breathing sound.' The noun form נַחַר is thus a nominalization indicating the sound or the organ producing it.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This word appears infrequently and typically in poetic contexts, such as Job 39:20, where the imagery of the horse's snorting conveys agitation, excitement, or vigor. The anatomical meaning 'nostrils' is secondary, by metonymy derived from the primary focus on sound. In later usage, more common words for 'nostrils' are אַף ('af) and נְחִיר (neḥir), making נַחַר a rare and vivid term. English translations often choose 'snorting' or 'nostrils,' but the nuance—especially the energetic, forceful breath of agitated animals—may be underappreciated. The transition from sound to anatomical feature (organ producing the sound) follows typical patterns in Biblical Hebrew. There is no evidence of this word being used in non-animal contexts or for human physical description.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
and (feminine) נַחֲרָה; from an unused root meaning to snort or snore; a snorting; nostrils, snorting.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נחר (n-ḥ-r) — to snort, to exhale forcefully, to breathe audibly
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5152 | נָחוֹר | to Nahor |
| H5156 | נְחִיר | from his nostrils |
| H5171 | נַחֲרַי | Nacharai |
| H588 | אֲנָחֲרָת | and Anacharath |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5170-02 |
נַחְר֣/וֹ | nachero | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
of his snorting | his snorting | 1 |
H5170-01 |
נַחְרַ֣ת | nacherat | HNcfsc |
snorting | snorting of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5170-01 |
Jeremiah 8:16 | נַחְרַ֣ת | nacherat | HNcfsc |
snorting | snorting of |
H5170-02 |
Job 39:20 | נַחְר֣/וֹ | nachero | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
of his snorting | his snorting |