נְהָרָה (ne.ha.rah)
ne.ha.rah
light
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun neḥārâ denotes bright light or daylight. It appears only once in the entire Old Testament, found in Job 3:4. In this context, Job curses the day of his birth, asking that it be shrouded in darkness and that "that night" seize it, implying a desire to extinguish the neḥārâ that marks ordinary time.
While the word simply means light, its solitary usage carries significant emotional weight. By wishing for the absence of this daylight, Job expresses a profound desire for non-existence. The term serves as a stark contrast to the darkness he invokes, highlighting the value placed on visibility and life in ancient Hebrew thought.
Translators typically render neḥārâ as "light" or "daylight." Its rarity means it does not carry the extended theological meanings found in other words for light. Instead, it functions as a concrete reference to the physical illumination that defines the day, which Job wishes to erase from his memory.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word neḥārâ appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Job’s deep lament. It simply means bright daylight or clear visibility. Job asks that the day of his birth be covered in darkness and that this light never shine on it again. This rare term highlights how much ancient Hebrew thought valued the simple gift of seeing the sun rise.
When life feels overwhelming, we often wish for things to disappear from our memory. Job’s raw honesty shows us that God can handle our deepest pain. We do not need to hide our despair or pretend everything is fine. Bringing our darkest moments into the light of prayer allows grace to meet us where we are.
Even in your hardest seasons, you are seen and known. The same God who created the day also walks with you through the night. You do not have to carry this burden alone. There is hope that waits for those who seek Him in their sorrow.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- daylight1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נְהָרָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Job 3:4
Let that day be darkness. Don’t let God from above seek for it, neither let the light shine on it.
This verse uses neḥārâ to describe the physical light Job wishes would never appear on his birth day, emphasizing his desire for total erasure of that time.