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חֹר

𐤇𐤓

chôr

H2715 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ח־ר־ר to be white, to shine, to be free, to be noble

Definition

White, brightness, or clearness, especially as a physical descriptor; in some cases, refers to a noble or prominent person or group, likely derived from or associated with the notion of clear, shining distinction. The word can denote both a visual quality (as of whiteness or brightness) as well as a designation for a person of status, depending on the context.

Semantic Range

white, bright, shining; noble, person of rank; prominent person; clan or ethnic name (as in Horite)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ח־ר־ר (חרר), meaning 'to be white, to shine, to be free, or to be noble.' The form חֹר may function as an adjective ('white, bright') and as a substantive denoting a person or group marked by such qualities (e.g., 'noble,' possibly ethnically as with the Horites). The exact relationship between these senses is debated, but the core connection is the idea of clarity or brightness, whether visual or metaphorical.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חֹר appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible with distinct senses. In poetic and descriptive contexts, such as in Job 30:30 ('my bones are scorched with heat'), it appears to refer to brightness or burning whiteness. The term is also linked to the ethnonym חֹרִי (Horite), designating a non-Israelite group inhabiting Seir, with possible reference to their perceived physical or social qualities. The sense of 'noble' is a secondary development, rooted in the metaphor of brightness or purity standing for status or distinction; however, this meaning is rare. English translations may render the word as 'noble' or 'nobles' in some instances, but this may narrow its underlying metaphorical range. In some later Hebrew usage outside the Bible, forms from this root are explicitly tied to notions of liberty or distinctiveness, broadening the semantic field. The word should not be confused with חוֹר ('hole, cave'), though the difference sometimes blurs in ancient sources. The English term 'Jew' does not occur with this root; relation to the Horites does not imply Israelite or Judean identity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (fully) חוֹר; from חָרַר; (compare חֹרִי); properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence (figuratively) noble (in rank); noble.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חרר (ḥ-r-r) — to be white, to shine, to be free, to be noble

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2746 חַרְחֻר burning fever
H2771 חָרָן in Haran
H2787 חָרַר they burned
H2788 חָרֵר scorched regions

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2715-04 הַֽ/חֹרִים֙ hachorim HTd/Ncmpa the nobles the shining ones 5
H2715-01 חֹרֵ֥י chorey HNcmpc nobles nobles of 4
H2715-05 וְ/הַ/חֹרִ֗ים vehachorim HC/Td/Ncmpa and the nobles and the shining ones 1
H2715-03 חוֹרִ֑ים chorim HNcmpa of nobles bright ones 1
H2715-02 חֹרֶ֥י/הָ choreyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs its nobles her noble ones 1
H2715-06 וְ/לַ/חֹרִ֣ים velachorim HC/Rd/Ncmpa and-to-the-nobles and to the shining nobles 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2715-04 1 Kings 21:8 הַֽ/חֹרִים֙ hachorim HTd/Ncmpa the nobles the shining ones
H2715-05 1 Kings 21:11 וְ/הַ/חֹרִ֗ים vehachorim HC/Td/Ncmpa and the nobles and the shining ones
H2715-02 Isaiah 34:12 חֹרֶ֥י/הָ choreyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs its nobles her noble ones
H2715-01 Jeremiah 27:20 חֹרֵ֥י chorey HNcmpc nobles nobles of
H2715-01 Jeremiah 39:6 חֹרֵ֣י chorey HNcmpc nobles of nobles of
H2715-03 Ecclesiastes 10:17 חוֹרִ֑ים chorim HNcmpa of nobles bright ones
H2715-06 Nehemiah 2:16 וְ/לַ/חֹרִ֣ים velachorim HC/Rd/Ncmpa and-to-the-nobles and to the shining nobles
H2715-04 Nehemiah 4:8 הַ/חֹרִ֤ים hachorim HTd/Ncmpa the-nobles the shining ones
H2715-04 Nehemiah 4:13 הַ/חֹרִ֤ים hachorim HTd/Ncmpa the-nobles the shining ones
H2715-04 Nehemiah 5:7 הַ/חֹרִ֣ים hachorim HTd/Ncmpa the nobles the shining ones
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