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מָאוֹר

𐤌𐤀𐤅𐤓

mâʼôwr

H3974 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אור to be light, to shine, to give light

Definition

A source of light; a luminary. Used primarily to denote objects that emit or reflect light, particularly celestial bodies such as the sun and moon, or lamps that provide illumination. In some cases, the term can refer abstractly to the element of light itself or, rarely, to brightness or radiance in a figurative sense.

Semantic Range

luminary, source of light, celestial body (sun, moon), lamp, means of illumination, light as an element, brightness, radiance (figurative), chandelier (rare, later usage)

Root / Etymology

From the root אוֹר (’or), meaning 'to be light, to shine, to give light.' The noun מָאוֹר (ma’or) is formed with the mem-prefix, commonly denoting a place or means, thus 'place or object of light.' Related forms include feminine מְאוֹרָה (me’orah) or מָאֹר (maor). While the root אוֹר refers to the abstract phenomenon or quality of light, מָאוֹר specifically describes sources that produce or transmit light.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מָאוֹר chiefly refers to the 'greater' and 'lesser' luminaries—sun and moon (Genesis 1:14–16)—as the appointed sources of light in the sky. The word can also signify an artificial light source such as a lamp (Exodus 25:6; Numbers 4:9), distinguishing it from נֵר (ner), which commonly describes a lamp or flame. מָאוֹר is more concrete than אוֹר, which refers to light as an element or phenomenon rather than its source. In later Hebrew or poetic contexts, מָאוֹר could acquire a figurative sense, like 'brightness' or 'cheerfulness,' but this is secondary. English translations usually render מָאוֹר as 'light,' 'luminary,' or 'lamp'; however, 'light' may obscure the distinct focus on the tangible source in contrast to the phenomenon. The development from Israelite to later periods maintains the focus on physical sources of light, with some post-biblical expansion to more abstract or metaphoric senses.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or מָאֹר; also (in plural) feminine מְאוֹרָה; or מְאֹרָה; from אוֹר; properly, a luminous body or luminary, i.e. (abstractly) light (as an element); figuratively, brightness, i.e.cheerfulness; specifically, a chandelier; bright, light.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אור (ʾ-w-r) — to be light, to shine, to give light

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1160 בְּעוֹר light of
H215 אוֹר Cause to shine
H216 אוֹר in your light
H217 אוּר in the fire
H218 אוּר in Ur

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3974-01 הַ/מָּא֤וֹר hamaor HTd/Ncmsa for the light the luminary 7
H3974-03 לַ/מָּאֹ֑ר lamaor HRd/Ncmsa for the light to the luminary 4
H3974-05 לִ/מְא֥וֹר limeor HR/Ncmsc in the light to a luminary of 1
H3974-07 מָא֥וֹר maor HNcmsa light light-source 1
H3974-04 לְ/מָא֕וֹר lemaor HR/Ncmsa for the light for a luminary 1
H3974-08 מְֽאוֹר meor HNcmsc light luminary of 1
H3974-06 לִ/מְאוֹרֹת֙ limeorot HR/Ncmpa for lights for light-sources 1
H3974-02 הַ/מְּאֹרֹ֖ת hameorot HTd/Ncmpa lights the luminaries 1
H3974-09 מְא֤וֹרֵי meorey HNcmpc lights luminaries of 1
H3974-10 מְאֹרֹת֙ meorot HNcmpa lights light-sources 1

Occurrences in Scripture

19 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3974-10 Genesis 1:14 מְאֹרֹת֙ meorot HNcmpa lights light-sources
H3974-06 Genesis 1:15 לִ/מְאוֹרֹת֙ limeorot HR/Ncmpa for lights for light-sources
H3974-02 Genesis 1:16 הַ/מְּאֹרֹ֖ת hameorot HTd/Ncmpa lights the luminaries
H3974-01 Genesis 1:16 הַ/מָּא֤וֹר hamaor HTd/Ncmsa light the luminary
H3974-01 Genesis 1:16 הַ/מָּא֤וֹר hamaor-2 HTd/Ncmsa light the luminary
H3974-03 Exodus 25:6 לַ/מָּאֹ֑ר lamaor HRd/Ncmsa for the light to the luminary
H3974-03 Exodus 27:20 לַ/מָּא֑וֹר lamaor HRd/Ncmsa for the light to the luminary
H3974-03 Exodus 35:8 לַ/מָּא֑וֹר lamaor HRd/Ncmsa for the light to the luminary
H3974-01 Exodus 35:14 הַ/מָּא֛וֹר hamaor HTd/Ncmsa of the light the luminary
H3974-01 Exodus 35:14 הַ/מָּאֽוֹר hamaor-2 HTd/Ncmsa for the light the luminary
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