חֹר
𐤇𐤓
chôr
H2715 noun
SILEX Entry
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
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
ח־ר־ר (chôr) — to be white, to shine, to be free, to be noble
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2787 | חָרַר | he burned hot |
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2715-04 |
הַֽ/חֹרִים֙ | hachorim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the nobles | the shining ones | the nobles | 5 |
H2715-01 |
חֹרֵ֥י | chorey | HNcmpc |
nobles | nobles of | nobles of | 4 |
H2715-02 |
חֹרֶ֥י/הָ | choreyha | HNcmpc/Sp3fs |
its nobles | her noble ones | her nobles | 1 |
H2715-03 |
חוֹרִ֑ים | chorim | HNcmpa |
of nobles | bright ones | of nobles | 1 |
H2715-05 |
וְ/הַ/חֹרִ֗ים | vehachorim | HC/Td/Ncmpa |
and the nobles | and the shining ones | and the nobles | 1 |
H2715-06 |
וְ/לַ/חֹרִ֣ים | velachorim | HC/Rd/Ncmpa |
and-to-the-nobles | and to the shining nobles | and to the shining nobles | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
13 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2715-04 |
1 Kings 21:8 | הַֽ/חֹרִים֙ | hachorim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the nobles | the shining ones | the nobles |
H2715-05 |
1 Kings 21:11 | וְ/הַ/חֹרִ֗ים | vehachorim | HC/Td/Ncmpa |
and the nobles | and the shining ones | and the nobles |
H2715-02 |
Isaiah 34:12 | חֹרֶ֥י/הָ | choreyha | HNcmpc/Sp3fs |
its nobles | her noble ones | her nobles |
H2715-01 |
Jeremiah 27:20 | חֹרֵ֥י | chorey | HNcmpc |
nobles | nobles of | nobles of |
H2715-01 |
Jeremiah 39:6 | חֹרֵ֣י | chorey | HNcmpc |
nobles of | nobles of | nobles of |
H2715-03 |
Ecclesiastes 10:17 | חוֹרִ֑ים | chorim | HNcmpa |
of nobles | bright ones | of nobles |
H2715-06 |
Nehemiah 2:16 | וְ/לַ/חֹרִ֣ים | velachorim | HC/Rd/Ncmpa |
and-to-the-nobles | and to the shining nobles | and to the shining nobles |
H2715-04 |
Nehemiah 4:8 | הַ/חֹרִ֤ים | hachorim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the-nobles | the shining ones | the nobles |
H2715-04 |
Nehemiah 4:13 | הַ/חֹרִ֤ים | hachorim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the-nobles | the shining ones | the nobles |
H2715-04 |
Nehemiah 5:7 | הַ/חֹרִ֣ים | hachorim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the nobles | the shining ones | the nobles |
H2715-01 |
Nehemiah 6:17 | חֹרֵ֤י | chorey | HNcmpc |
nobles | nobles of | nobles of |
H2715-04 |
Nehemiah 7:5 | הַ/חֹרִ֧ים | hachorim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the nobles | the shining ones | the nobles |
H2715-01 |
Nehemiah 13:17 | חֹרֵ֣י | chorey | HNcmpc |
nobles | nobles of | nobles of |