נָגַהּ (na.gah)
na.gah
to shine
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nagah means to shine or become bright, often describing a sudden, intense light. It appears in only four verses, primarily in poetic passages where it illuminates celestial bodies or divine presence. In Job 37:21, the word describes how clouds hide the sun’s brightness, creating a stark contrast between natural darkness and hidden glory. Similarly, in Isaiah 60:1, it commands Zion to arise and shine, linking physical radiance with spiritual awakening.
Its range includes both passive shining and active causing of light. The Hiphil stem, used in Psalm 19:7’s description of God’s law enlightening the eyes, shifts the focus from mere appearance to the effect of that light—clarity, understanding, or revelation. This dual usage suggests nagah is not just about illumination but about the transformative power of that light on the observer.
Etymologically, nagah shares roots with words for brightness and clarity, reinforcing its association with visibility and truth. Its rare occurrence in Scripture gives it a concentrated impact, often marking moments of divine intervention or revelation. Translators typically render it as "shine" or "enlighten," capturing both the visual and cognitive dimensions of the word’s meaning.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nagah brings a vivid picture of sudden, intense brightness breaking through darkness. In Scripture, this shining is never just about physical light; it represents God’s presence and truth entering our lives with clarity and power. When the Bible speaks of light shining, it often marks a moment where confusion gives way to understanding, or despair turns to hope.
Consider Isaiah 60:1, where Zion is called to arise and shine because Yahweh’s glory has risen upon her. This promise reminds us that our current circumstances do not define our final state. Even when clouds obscure the sun, as Job 37:21 describes, the source of light remains unchanged. God’s truth can illuminate our path, guiding us through uncertainty with steady radiance.
Psalm 19:7 uses a related form to show how God’s law enlightens the eyes. This suggests that spiritual insight is a gift of illumination, not merely human effort. As we read Scripture and seek His will, we can trust that He provides the clarity needed for our journey. His light does not just reveal the world; it reveals His heart to us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it will shine1×
- it will make shine1×
- it shines1×
- he lightens1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נָ֣גַֽהּ1×
- יַגִּ֥יהַּ1×
- יַגִּ֥יהַ1×
- יִ֝גַּ֗הּ1×