נָהַר
𐤍𐤄𐤓
nâhar
H5102 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To flow or stream (of water), and by extension, to be radiant or shine (of the face), often describing a state of joyful or excited brightness. In poetic and metaphorical contexts, the verb can describe both literal flowing of a river and figurative expressions such as a face becoming radiant or a group assembling (as a 'flow' of people). Primary sense relates to luminous or streaming quality, whether of water, light, or emotional expression.
Semantic Range
to flow (of water); to shine, be radiant (of a face or appearance); to stream together, assemble (poetic/figurative usage); to be filled with joy or brightness; to gleam, sparkle (of light or emotion)
Root / Etymology
From the root נ־ה־ר (נהר), core meaning 'to flow, stream, shine.' The root relates primarily to movement and brightness, seen in both liquid and light metaphors. The verb form primarily denotes flowing (of water/rivers) and by extension, shining or radiating (in reference to a face or countenance).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, נָהַר most commonly refers to flowing bodies of water, especially rivers (see noun form נָהָר, 'river'). However, the verb is used poetically for radiant faces (e.g. Isaiah 60:5, 'Then you shall see and be radiant'), highlighting a shift from literal to figurative brightness or joy. In later biblical Hebrew, the verb occurs rarely, and some uses (like in Psalms and Isaiah) connect both luminous and flowing senses, reinforcing its metaphorical flexibility. English translations often render it as 'to flow' or 'be radiant,' sometimes narrowing the sense to one meaning or missing the inherent metaphorical connection between shine and flow. There is no evidence for the meaning 'to assemble' as a core sense; this is likely metaphorical, as in a stream of people gathering. Comparison with related verbs for shining (e.g. אוֹר, זָהַר) suggests נָהַר especially conveys a blend of streaming motion and brightness.
Translation Consistency
"Stream" best captures the primary literal sense (flow of water) and the common figurative senses (people streaming together, a flowing/streaming quality of light or joy). It matches the majority of existing renderings and is a natural, versatile English verb that fits literal and poetic contexts better than alternatives like "shine" (misses assembly) or "flow" (less natural for people and radiance).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to sparkle, i.e. (figuratively) be cheerful; hence (from the sheen of a running stream) to flow, i.e. (figuratively) assemble; flow (together), be lightened.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נהר (n-h-r) — to flow, to stream, to shine, to radiate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4492 | מִנְהָרָה | the rock-crevices |
| H5094 | נְהִיר | brightness |
| H5103 | נְהַר | the river |
| H5104 | נָהָר | in the flowing river |
| H5105 | נְהָרָה | streaming daylight |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5102-02 |
וְ/נָהֲר֥וּ | venaharu | HC/Vqq3cp |
and shall flow | and they flowed | and they will stream | 4 |
H5102-01 |
וְ/נָהַ֔רְתְּ | venaharete | HC/Vqq2fs |
and be radiant | and you radiated | and you will be radiant | 1 |
H5102-03 |
יִנְהֲר֥וּ | yineharu | HVqi3mp |
will stream | they will stream | they will stream | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5102-02 |
Isaiah 2:2 | וְ/נָהֲר֥וּ | venaharu | HC/Vqq3cp |
and will flow | and they flowed | and they will stream |
H5102-01 |
Isaiah 60:5 | וְ/נָהַ֔רְתְּ | venaharete | HC/Vqq2fs |
and be radiant | and you radiated | and you will be radiant |
H5102-02 |
Jeremiah 31:12 | וְ/נָהֲר֞וּ | venaharu | HC/Vqq3cp |
and they will flow together | and they flowed | and they will stream |
H5102-03 |
Jeremiah 51:44 | יִנְהֲר֥וּ | yineharu | HVqi3mp |
will stream | they will stream | they will stream |
H5102-02 |
Micah 4:1 | וְ/נָהֲר֥וּ | venaharu | HC/Vqq3cp |
and shall flow | and they flowed | and they will stream |
H5102-02 |
Psalms 34:6 | וְ/נָהָ֑רוּ | venaharu | HC/Vqp3cp |
and they shone | and they flowed | and they shone |