אָהַל
𐤀𐤄𐤋
ʼâhal
H166 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To shine, emit light, or radiate brightness; used primarily of celestial or radiant phenomena. In certain poetic or rare contexts, it can also convey the ideas of being splendid or manifestly bright, often in reference to sunlight, moonlight, or metaphoric brightness.
Semantic Range
to shine, to be bright, to radiate, to be splendid, to manifest brightness, to be clear or resplendent
Root / Etymology
Root: אהל. The root relates to light or brightness, involving the emergence or radiance of light. The primary sense is 'to shine' or 'to emit light', although the precise derivation is uncertain, as it is not widely attested in other Semitic languages. Lexical development appears limited, with usage mainly confined to poetic passages.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This root is documented infrequently, appearing in poetic and wisdom literature, such as Job 25:5, where it describes the shining of the moon. Its usage is mostly literary and not prevalent in prose narrative or legal texts. The verb is distinct from more common roots for shining (such as זרח 'to rise, shine' for the sun), and these distinctions are relevant in exegesis. The underlying concept involves both literal shining (of celestial bodies) and, occasionally, figurative use denoting resplendence or clarity. Later Hebrew does not continue this root productively. English translations often render it as 'shine' or 'be bright,' sometimes expanding or contracting the idea depending on the context; care should be taken not to conflate this with unrelated roots such as אהל meaning 'tent.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be clear; shine.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אהל (ʾ-h-l) — to shine, to radiate, to emit light
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H167 | אָהַל | and he pitched a tent |
| H168 | אֹהֶל | your tent |
| H169 | אֹהֶל | Ohel |
| H170 | אׇהֳלָה | Her Tent |
| H172 | אׇהֳלִיבָה | My Tent in Her |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H166-01 |
יַאֲהִ֑יל | yaahil | HVhi3ms |
it shineth | he will cause to shine | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H166-01 |
Job 25:5 | יַאֲהִ֑יל | yaahil | HVhi3ms |
it shineth | he will cause to shine |