אוֹר (or)
or
to light
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 30 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb or means to become light or to shine, covering both physical brightness and metaphorical clarity. In its basic form, it describes natural phenomena like the sun rising or a lamp being lit. However, the sources highlight a deeper usage where God is said to "make His face shine" upon people, as seen in Numbers 6:25 and Psalm 80:7. This imagery conveys divine favor and joy rather than mere illumination.
A striking example of this metaphorical power appears in 1 Samuel 14:27-29. When Jonathan tastes honey, his eyes brighten, signaling a return to strength after fainting from hunger. The text uses or to describe this physical recovery, linking light directly with life and vitality. Similarly, Psalm 13:3 asks God to lighten the eyes of the psalmist so he does not sleep in death, showing how the word connects spiritual hope with physical presence.
Translators often render or as "shine," "lighten," or "give light." The variety reflects its range from literal illumination to emotional refreshment. By using a single root for both the sun and the human face, Scripture presents light as a unified symbol of God’s presence, guidance, and life-giving power.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word or carries the simple sense of becoming light or shining. While it describes physical brightness like a lamp or the rising sun, Scripture uses it to express something deeper: divine favor and inner vitality. When God promises to make His face shine upon you, He is not just illuminating your surroundings but offering grace and joy that sustain the soul.
This connection between light and life appears in moments of human weakness. In 1 Samuel, Jonathan’s eyes brighten after tasting honey, signaling a return of strength. Similarly, Psalm 139 reminds us that even in our darkest hours, God sees clearly because darkness is like light to Him. This word invites us to trust that His presence brings clarity and hope, even when we feel faint or uncertain.
As you read these passages, notice how or links the physical world with spiritual reality. It reminds us that guidance, understanding, and refreshment come from God’s steady light. Let this truth encourage you to seek His face, knowing that His favor brings both direction and peace to your daily walk.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 30 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ give light4×
- to/ light up3×
- you will set light to1×
- to/ be lighted up1×
- they will give light1×
- they light up1×
- they brightened1×
- shine1×
- may he make shine1×
- make shine1×
- it will shine1×
- it was light1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/הָאִ֣יר3×
- לְ/הָאִ֖יר2×
- תָּאִ֣יר1×
- תָאִ֥ירוּ1×
- מֵ֤אִיר\־1×
- מְאִיר֣וֹת1×
- לֵ֝/א֗וֹר1×
- לְ/הָאִ֥יר1×
- לְ/הָאִ֤יר1×
- יָאֵ֨ר1×
- יָאִ֣יר1×
- יָאִ֗יר1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 6:25
Yahweh make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you.
This verse uses the word to describe God’s face shining on people, which signifies His gracious favor rather than mere illumination.
-
I Samuel 14:27
But Jonathan didn’t hear when his father commanded the people with the oath. Therefore he put out the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes brightened.
Here the term describes Jonathan’s eyes brightening after eating honey, directly linking physical light with restored strength and life.
-
Psalms 139:12
even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.
The psalmist declares that darkness is like light to God, emphasizing His omniscience and the comfort of being fully known by Him.
-
Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day.
This metaphor compares the path of the righteous to dawning light that grows brighter, illustrating progressive spiritual clarity over time.