נָכַר (na.khar)
na.khar
to recognize; to alienate
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 46 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nakar carries a dual meaning centered on recognition and foreignness. In its most common forms, it means to acknowledge, perceive, or show respect for someone. This usage appears in passages where God is described as acknowledging His people or where individuals are recognized by their actions, such as a youth making himself known through his deeds (Proverbs 20:11). It implies a clear discernment that leads to acceptance or honor.
However, the word also retains its root sense of being "foreign" or "strange." In these instances, it describes treating someone as an outsider or disguising one’s true nature. For example, in Genesis 42:7, Joseph’s brothers do not recognize him because he has disguised himself, acting like a stranger. Similarly, Proverbs 26:24 warns that a hater may disguise their malice with smooth words, treating the relationship as foreign rather than genuine.
This tension between recognition and alienation highlights how identity shapes interaction. To truly know someone is to treat them as kin; to fail to recognize them is to push them into the category of the foreign. The word thus serves as a linguistic bridge between intimacy and estrangement, showing that how we perceive others determines how we relate to them.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word nakar carries a profound tension between knowing someone deeply and treating them as a stranger. In Genesis 42, Joseph sees his brothers but chooses to act like a foreigner, hiding his true identity behind a mask of harshness. This illustrates how failure to truly recognize another person’s dignity can create distance and pain in relationships.
Yet the word also points toward the healing power of acknowledgment. In Genesis 38, Judah admits his fault when he recognizes the items belonging to Tamar. His willingness to see the truth restores justice and honor. When we take time to truly perceive others—seeing their worth, their story, and their humanity—we bridge the gap between alienation and connection.
This word invites us to examine how we treat those around us. Do we see them as kin or as outsiders? God calls us to look beyond surface appearances and recognize the image of God in every person we meet.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 46 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- investigate3×
- and/ he recognized3×
- you will pay regard to2×
- to pay regard to2×
- they recognized/ him2×
- he recognized2×
- he is acquainted with2×
- to/ pay regard to/ me1×
- they will recognize/ them1×
- they should misconstrue1×
- they recognized1×
- they pay regard to1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יַכִּירֶ֖/נּוּ2×
- וַ/יַּכֵּ֤ר2×
- הַכֶּר\־2×
- הַֽכֵּר\־2×
- הִכִּ֔ירוּ2×
- תַכִּ֨ירוּ1×
- תַכִּ֖יר1×
- תְנַכֵּֽרוּ\׃1×
- נִכַּר\־1×
- נִכַּ֨ר1×
- נִכְּר֖וּ1×
- מַכִּירֵ֖/ךְ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 42:7
Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognized them, but acted like a stranger to them, and spoke roughly with them. He said to them, “Where did you come from?” They said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”
Joseph’s choice to act like a stranger highlights how recognition can be withheld, creating emotional distance even when the truth is known.
-
Genesis 38:26
Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.” He knew her again no more.
Judah’s acknowledgment of Tamar’s righteousness shows how true recognition leads to repentance and restored dignity.
-
Ruth 2:10
Then she fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me, since I am a foreigner?”
Ruth’s question about Boaz taking knowledge of her as a foreigner reveals the deep relief of being seen and valued despite one’s outsider status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does nakar mean in the Bible?
How is nakar different from yada (to know)?
Why is Joseph’s story important for understanding this word?
Every Occurrence (46 verses across 16 books)
Genesis 8 verses
He didn’t recognize him, because his hands were hairy, like his brother Esau’s hands. So he blessed him.
Genesis 31:32Anyone you find your gods with shall not live. Before our relatives, discern what is yours with me, and take it.” For…
Genesis 37:32They took the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father, and said, “We have found this. Examine it,…
Genesis 37:33He recognized it, and said, “It is my son’s tunic. An evil animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn in…
Genesis 38:25When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man who owns these.” She also…
Genesis 38:26Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.” He knew…
Genesis 42:7Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognized them, but acted like a stranger to them, and spoke roughly with them. He…
Genesis 42:8Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn’t recognize him.