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נַחֲרַי

𐤍𐤇𐤓𐤉

Nacharay

H5171 noun

SILEX Entry

Root נחר to snore, to snort, to breathe heavily

Definition

Personal name: Nacharai, meaning likely 'snorer' or one associated with 'snoring', based on the root verb or noun. Used specifically as the name of an individual, an Israelite warrior in the time of King David, appearing in genealogical lists. The lexical meaning is confined to a proper name with possible reference to a physical trait or family association, depending on root derivation.

Semantic Range

personal name (Nacharai); possible reference to 'snorer' or 'snorter'; used exclusively as a proper noun designating an Israelite individual in the court of David

Root / Etymology

The name נַחֲרַי derives from the same root as נַחַר (nchar), which likely means 'snoring' or 'snorter.' The root itself (נחר) often connotes heavy breathing or snorting. Word formation suggests a possessive or descriptive form – 'my snorer/snorter' or 'belonging to, characterized by snoring.' However, as a proper name, the semantic nuance is secondary to its use as an identifier.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The name נַחֲרַי appears only in the context of lists of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:37; 1 Chronicles 11:39), designating a specific Israelite associated with Beeroth, which may hint at a local or clan-based context. As a personal name, it stands among others formed from roots referencing human traits or behaviors. In later translation tradition, the name was often rendered as 'Naharai,' but the vocalization and spelling favor 'Nacharai.' The semantic value is limited to its function as a personal name; the root meaning ('snorer') is typical in ancient Near Eastern onomastics, where names frequently reference physical traits, birth circumstances, or family legends. There is no evidence that the term came to designate a category of people or a title beyond this individual.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or נַחְרַי; from the same as נַחַר; snorer; Nacharai or Nachrai, an Israelite; Naharai, Nahari.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

נחר (n-ḥ-r) — to snore, to snort, to breathe heavily

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5152 נָחוֹר to Nahor
H5156 נְחִיר from his nostrils
H5170 נַחַר snorting of
H588 אֲנָחֲרָת and Anacharath

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5171-01 נַחְרַי֙ nacheray HNp Naharai Nacharai 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5171-01 2 Samuel 23:37 נַחְרַי֙ nacheray HNp Naharai Nacharai
H5171-01 1 Chronicles 11:39 נַחְרַי֙ nacheray HNp Naharai Nacharai
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