נָעַר
𐤍𐤏𐤓
nâʻar
H5287 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To shake, shake off, or shake out, typically with a vigorous or forceful motion; to agitate or move something rapidly so as to remove or dislodge material. The verb can refer to shaking dust or particles off an object (such as clothing or the earth), or to shaking a person or group metaphorically (such as shaking off oppression). In poetic and prophetic usage, it can also convey the idea of causing a disturbance or acting to bring about a change in state (e.g., shaking a city or nation).
Semantic Range
to shake (physically), to shake off (remove dust, particles), to shake out (empty by shaking), to agitate (disturb physically or metaphorically), to toss up and down, to overthrow (in poetic or metaphorical sense)
Root / Etymology
Root/Nominal root: נ־ע־ר. The verbal root נָעַר (naʿar) fundamentally denotes the action 'to shake' or 'to shake out.' The form is a standard qal verb. Some propose a link or common origin with the homonymous nominal root נַעַר ('boy, youth'), but most lexica treat the two as etymologically distinct, with only an uncertain possible association of motion or energy. The word is not derived from another attested Hebrew root, but cognates appear in related Semitic languages with similar meanings.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb נָעַר is primarily attested in contexts describing physical action: shaking out cloth, dust, or other materials (e.g., Isaiah 52:2: 'Shake yourself from the dust'). In these settings, it commonly refers to a purposeful removal or cleansing motion. In poetic contexts (e.g., Psalms, Isaiah), the word may take on a metaphorical sense of overthrowing or disturbing (e.g., shaking nations or cities), but always retains the underlying imagery of forceful, energetic shaking. This root is distinct from the noun נַעַר ('youth, servant'), although some ancient etymologies attempted to connect them via the idea of movement, but this is not supported by modern linguistics. English versions sometimes render נָעַר as 'shake,' 'shake off,' 'overthrow,' or 'toss,' but the sense of brisk, thorough movement is the core meaning. The verb is relatively rare and is not used for mild or gentle motion but implies decisive or energetic action. The meaning did not significantly shift from the monarchic to later biblical periods, and remains consistent throughout the Hebrew Bible. Notably, in the prophetic period, the act of 'shaking off dust' (Isaiah 52:2) became a symbolic action indicating liberation or renewal. Occasional translations, especially older English versions, sometimes obscure the robust, physical meaning of the verb by substituting less vigorous terms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root (probably identical with נָעַר, through the idea of the rustling of mane, which usually accompanies the lion's roar); to tumble about; shake (off, out, self), overthrow, toss up and down.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נער (n-ʿ-r) — to shake, shake off, shake out, agitate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5271 | נָעוּר | in his youths |
| H5286 | נָעַר | they roared |
| H5288 | נַעַר | in the young male |
| H5289 | נַעַר | the youth |
| H5290 | נֹעַר | in the youth-period |
Word Forms
11 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5287-02 |
נָעַ֗רְתִּי | naareti | HVqp1cs |
I-shook-out | I shook | 1 |
H5287-05 |
נֹעֵ֤ר | noer | HVqrmsa |
shakes | the one who shakes | 1 |
H5287-09 |
וְ/נֹעֵ֥ר | venoer | HC/Vqrmsa |
and shakes | and shaking one | 1 |
H5287-08 |
וְ/נִ֘עֵ֤ר | venier | HC/Vpp3ms |
but overthrew | he vigorously shook | 1 |
H5287-06 |
וַ/יְנַעֵ֧ר | vayenaer | HC/Vpw3ms |
and shook off | and he vigorously shook | 1 |
H5287-03 |
נָע֖וּר | naur | HVqsmsa |
shaken-out | shaken-out one | 1 |
H5287-01 |
הִתְנַעֲרִ֧י | hitenaari | HVtv2fs |
Shake yourself | Shake yourself off | 1 |
H5287-11 |
יְנַעֵ֪ר | yenaer | HVpi3ms |
let-shake-out | he will vigorously shake | 1 |
H5287-07 |
וְ/אִנָּעֵ֔ר | veinaer | HC/VNi1cs |
and I will shake myself | and I will shake myself | 1 |
H5287-10 |
וְ/יִנָּעֲר֖וּ | veyinaaru | HC/VNi3mp |
and they might be shaken | and they will be shaken | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
11 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5287-06 |
Exodus 14:27 | וַ/יְנַעֵ֧ר | vayenaer | HC/Vpw3ms |
and shook off | and he vigorously shook |
H5287-07 |
Judges 16:20 | וְ/אִנָּעֵ֔ר | veinaer | HC/VNi1cs |
and I will shake myself | and I will shake myself |
H5287-09 |
Isaiah 33:9 | וְ/נֹעֵ֥ר | venoer | HC/Vqrmsa |
and shakes | and shaking one |
H5287-05 |
Isaiah 33:15 | נֹעֵ֤ר | noer | HVqrmsa |
shakes | the one who shakes |
H5287-01 |
Isaiah 52:2 | הִתְנַעֲרִ֧י | hitenaari | HVtv2fs |
Shake yourself | Shake yourself off |
H5287-04 |
Psalms 109:23 | נִ֝נְעַ֗רְתִּי | nineareti | HVNp1cs |
I am shaken off | I was shaken |
H5287-08 |
Psalms 136:15 | וְ/נִ֘עֵ֤ר | venier | HC/Vpp3ms |
but overthrew | he vigorously shook |
H5287-10 |
Job 38:13 | וְ/יִנָּעֲר֖וּ | veyinaaru | HC/VNi3mp |
and they might be shaken | and they will be shaken |
H5287-02 |
Nehemiah 5:13 | נָעַ֗רְתִּי | naareti | HVqp1cs |
I-shook-out | I shook |
H5287-11 |
Nehemiah 5:13 | יְנַעֵ֪ר | yenaer | HVpi3ms |
let-shake-out | he will vigorously shake |