אוֹר
𐤀𐤅𐤓
ʼôwr
H215 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To shine or emit light, whether literal (as in the shining of the sun, moon, or fire) or metaphorical (as in bringing clarity, guidance, or well-being). The verb encompasses both the act of emitting light and causing something or someone to be illuminated or enlightened. In causative (Hiphil) stems, it indicates making something light or bright, causing to shine, or enlightening (intellectually or morally).
Semantic Range
to shine, to emit light, to be illuminated, to give light or brightness, to enlighten (mentally or spiritually), to make something or someone shine, to bring to light, to clarify or reveal
Root / Etymology
From the root אוֹר (ʼ-w-r), carrying the fundamental sense of light or brightness. This verbal root primarily expresses the notion of shining or causing to shine, which forms the basis for forms meaning 'light' (noun) and 'to be/act light, to illuminate' (verb).
Historical & Contextual Notes
אוֹר is attested in both literal and figurative senses throughout the Hebrew Bible. In the physical sense, it refers to sunlight (Gen 1:15), moonlight, or firelight. Metaphorically, its use extends to themes such as salvation, favor, vitality, and divine revelation (e.g., Ps 18:29; Isa 60:1). The Hiphil (causative) form can mean to enlighten, teach, or make evident, appearing in contexts of instruction or wisdom literature (Ps 119:130). The root is also related to the noun אוֹר ('light'), further emphasizing the conceptual link between shining and illumination. While later translations sometimes render metaphoric uses as 'glory,' 'joy,' or 'prosperity,' the original range is broader, covering a variety of positive states associated with illumination. There are related Hebrew roots (e.g., נָהַר), but אוֹר especially emphasizes the act or process of emitting or communicating light. Over time, the metaphorical extension of 'enlightenment' became more prominent in post-biblical Hebrew and Jewish interpretive tradition.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically); [idiom] break of day, glorious, kindle, (be, en-, give, show) light (-en, -ened), set on fire, shine.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אור (ʾ-w-r) — to shine, to become bright, to illuminate, to give light
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1160 | בְּעוֹר | light of |
| H216 | אוֹר | in your light |
| H217 | אוּר | in the fire |
| H218 | אוּר | in Ur |
| H219 | אוֹרָה | radiance |
Word Forms
25 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H215-05 |
לְ/הָאִ֖יר | lehair | HR/Vhc |
to give light | to cause to shine | 7 |
H215-24 |
יָאִ֣יר | yair | HVhi3ms |
shines | He shines | 5 |
H215-20 |
וְ/הָאֵ֥ר | vehaer | HC/Vhv2ms |
and cause to shine | and cause to shine | 3 |
H215-14 |
תָּאִ֣יר | tair | HVhi2ms |
makes shine | you will cause to shine | 2 |
H215-01 |
הָאֵ֥ר | haer | HVhv2ms |
cause to shine | Cause to shine | 2 |
H215-23 |
יָאֵ֨ר | yaer | HVhj3ms |
cause to shine | may he make shine | 2 |
H215-18 |
וַ/יָּ֖אֶר | vayaer | HC/Vhw3ms |
and-he-has-shined | and he made shine | 2 |
H215-02 |
הָאִ֥ירָ/ה | hairah | HVhv2ms/Sh |
make shine | the fortified settlement | 2 |
H215-04 |
הֵאִ֣ירוּ | heiru | HVhp3cp |
lighted up | they caused to shine | 2 |
H215-19 |
וַ/יֵּאֹ֥ר | vayeor | HC/Vqw3ms |
and dawned | and he shone | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
43 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H215-05 |
Genesis 1:15 | לְ/הָאִ֖יר | lehair | HR/Vhc |
to give light | to cause to shine |
H215-05 |
Genesis 1:17 | לְ/הָאִ֖יר | lehair | HR/Vhc |
to light | to cause to shine |
H215-11 |
Genesis 44:3 | א֑וֹר | or | HVqp3ms |
was light | light |
H215-05 |
Exodus 13:21 | לְ/הָאִ֣יר | lehair | HR/Vhc |
to-give-light | to cause to shine |
H215-18 |
Exodus 14:20 | וַ/יָּ֖אֶר | vayaer | HC/Vhw3ms |
and it illuminated | and he made shine |
H215-21 |
Exodus 25:37 | וְ/הֵאִ֖יר | veheir | HC/Vhq3ms |
and it shall give light | and he caused to shine |
H215-23 |
Numbers 6:25 | יָאֵ֨ר | yaer | HVhj3ms |
make shine | may he make shine |
H215-25 |
Numbers 8:2 | יָאִ֖ירוּ | yairu | HVhi3mp |
shall-give-light | they will cause to shine |
H215-17 |
1 Samuel 14:27 | וַ/תָּאֹ֖רְנָה | vataorenah | HC/Vqw3fp |
and brightened | and they shone |
H215-13 |
1 Samuel 14:29 | אֹ֣רוּ | oru | HVqp3cp |
have been enlightened | Shine! |