נַ֫חַר (na.char)
na.char
snorting
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun naḥar describes the sharp, explosive sound of snorting. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, yet each occurrence carries significant weight. In Job 39:20, it captures the restless energy of a warhorse, whose nostrils flare and breathe hard in anticipation of battle. The image is one of contained power and alertness.
A second instance occurs in Jeremiah 8:16, where the sound serves as a warning. The text links the snorting of horses to the approach of enemy chariots from the north. Here, the noise is not just animal behavior but an omen of impending judgment. The word conveys a sudden, startling noise that signals danger.
This rare term highlights how Scripture uses sensory details to convey spiritual truths. The snorting horse represents both divine provision and human vulnerability. In Job, it shows God’s mastery over creation; in Jeremiah, it warns of coming consequences. The word reminds readers that even animal sounds can carry prophetic meaning.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word naḥar describes the sharp, explosive sound of a horse snorting. It appears only twice in Scripture, yet each instance carries significant weight. In Job 39:20, it captures the restless energy of a warhorse, whose nostrils flare and breathe hard in anticipation of battle. The image is one of contained power and alertness.
A second instance occurs in Jeremiah 8:16, where the sound serves as a warning. The text links the snorting of horses to the approach of enemy chariots from the north. Here, the noise is not just animal behavior but an omen of impending judgment. The word conveys a sudden, startling noise that signals danger.
This rare term highlights how Scripture uses sensory details to convey spiritual truths. The snorting horse represents both divine provision and human vulnerability. In Job, it shows God’s mastery over creation; in Jeremiah, it warns of coming consequences. The word reminds readers that even animal sounds can carry prophetic meaning.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- snorting/ its1×
- [the] snorting of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נַחְרַ֣ת1×
- נַחְר֣/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 39:20
Have you made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is awesome.
This verse uses the snorting sound to illustrate the wild, untamed power that God alone has gifted to the horse.
-
Jeremiah 8:16
The snorting of his horses is heard from Dan. The whole land trembles at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they have come, and have devoured the land and all that is in it, the city and those who dwell therein.”
Here the snorting signals the approach of enemy chariots, turning a natural animal noise into a terrifying omen of judgment.