H5094a H5094a
light (Aramaic, Ketiv reading)
The Ketiv (written) form of an Aramaic noun meaning 'light' in Daniel 2:22. The written text reads נְהִירָא while the traditional reading (Qere) has נְהוֹרָא, both meaning 'light' with slight spelling variation. The Ketiv form may reflect a different Aramaic dialect or orthographic tradition. In context, the verse celebrates God as possessor of light: 'light dwells with Him,' making Him the source of revelation and knowledge. Ancient versions and Targums consistently use forms related to נְהוֹר (light), confirming the meaning despite spelling variation.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Light (Ketiv reading)—the written form in Daniel 2:22 where God's attributes include that 'light וְנְהִירָא dwells with Him.' The Ketiv reads נְהִירָא while the Qere prefers נְהוֹרָא, representing orthographic or dialectal variants. Translators mark this with '[ketiv:and-light]' notation, acknowledging the textual variation while maintaining the same meaning. Both forms derive from roots meaning 'light' or 'shine,' cognate with Hebrew נהר. This is divine light: the illumination that enables God to 'know what is in darkness,' the revelation that makes hidden things manifest. Whether spelled with yod or waw, the point stands: light is God's native element, His essential attribute as revealer and knower. 1×
AR["[وَ-الـ-نُّورُ]"]·ben["[এবং-আলো]"]·DE["[ונהירא]"]·EN["[ketiv:and-light]"]·FR["et-lumière"]·heb["ו-אור"]·HI["और-प्रकाश"]·ID["[dan-terang]"]·IT["[ונהירא]"]·jav["[lan-pepadhang]"]·KO["그리고-빛이"]·PT["[e-luz]"]·RU["[и-свет]"]·ES["[y-la-luz]"]·SW["na-nuru"]·TR["[ve-ışık]"]·urd["اور-نور"]
Related Senses
H4325 1. water, waters (582×)H6965b 1. Qal: to rise, arise, get up (432×)H2091 1. gold (the metal) (389×)H0068 1. stone, rock (material/object) (267×)H5178a 1. bronze/copper as metal (131×)H6083 1. dust, dry earth, soil (108×)H8313 1. burn, set fire to (94×)H2734 1. anger was kindled (82×)G5204 1. water (80×)H2822 1. darkness, absence of light (80×)G5457 1. light (illumination) (71×)G0450 1. rise, stand up (physical) (69×)H6965b 2. Qal: to stand firm, endure, be valid (50×)H6999a 2. burn sacrifice on altar (Hifil) (45×)H5553 1. rock, cliff (physical feature) (43×)H6965b 4. Hifil: to establish, confirm (covenant/kingdom/word) (40×)H1197a 1. burn, be on fire (39×)H4306 1. rain, showers (38×)H1653 1. rain, precipitation (34×)G4655 1. darkness (30×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† [נְהִיר, נְהוֹר] n.m. light (𝔗 נְהוֹרָא, Syriac ܢܽܘܗܪܳܐ; v. BH II. נהר);—emph. נהירא Kt, נְהוֹרָא Qr (cf. 𝔗 Syriac; NöLCB 1896, 703) Dn 2:22.