H5216b H5216b
nir — lamp, light; symbol of ongoing dynasty or life-giving blessing
This noun means lamp or light, used exclusively in figurative contexts to symbolize ongoing dynastic succession, life, or blessing. The imagery draws from ancient household practice where a continuously burning lamp represented ongoing family life and prosperity. In the Davidic covenant context, God promises to maintain 'a lamp' for David—ensuring his dynasty's continuation on the throne. The lamp metaphor also appears in wisdom literature as a symbol of life and prosperity. A lamp burning represents presence, vitality, and hope; its extinction means death or dynasty's end.
Senses
1. sense 1 — A lamp, used figuratively for dynastic continuation or blessing. 1 Kings 11:36 explains why God doesn't remove the entire kingdom from Solomon: 'that David my servant may always have a lamp (nir) before me in Jerusalem'—ensuring ongoing Davidic presence on the throne. Similarly, 1 Kings 15:4 states God gave Abijam a son 'to raise up a lamp (nir) for David in Jerusalem,' continuing the dynasty despite Abijam's sin. 2 Kings 8:19 and 2 Chronicles 21:7 repeat that God wouldn't destroy Judah because He promised 'to give a lamp (nir) to him and to his sons forever.' The lamp symbolizes the sustained presence and vitality of David's royal line. 4×
AR["سِراجاً", "سِرَاجًا", "سِرَاجٍ"]·ben["দীপ", "প্রদীপ"]·DE["[ניר]", "ein-lamp"]·EN["a-lamp", "lamp"]·FR["[ניר]", "un-lamp"]·heb["ניר"]·HI["दीपक", "नीर"]·ID["pelita"]·IT["[ניר]", "un-lampada"]·jav["damar"]·KO["등불을", "등불이"]·PT["lâmpada"]·RU["светильник"]·ES["lámpara", "una-lámpara"]·SW["taa"]·TR["kandil", "ışık"]·urd["چراغ"]
Related Senses
H2719 1. sword, weapon of war (410×)H4196 1. altar (place of sacrifice) (403×)H7393 1. chariot, chariotry (117×)H7198 1. bow (weapon) (72×)H7979 1. table (71×)H7782 1. ram's horn trumpet (69×)H4294 2. staff, rod, scepter (63×)H4043 1. shield, defensive weapon (60×)H0646 1. ephod (priestly garment) (49×)H8504 1. blue (violet-blue yarn/fabric) (49×)H2595 1. spear, lance (48×)H2671 1. arrow, projectile weapon (46×)H4818 1. chariot, war-chariot (44×)H3658 1. lyre, harp (stringed instrument) (42×)H1537 1. Gilgal (place name) (41×)H0713 1. purple (fabric/dye) (38×)H0905 3. poles, staves (37×)H7392 1. Qal participle: rider, charioteer (37×)H4501 1. cultic lampstand (menorah) (36×)H0212 1. wheel (35×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† I. נִיר n.[m.] lamp;—always fig. לְמַעַן הֱיוֹת־נ׳ לְדָוִיד 1 K 11:36, i.e. that his family may remain on the throne; cf. 15:4; 2 K 8:19 = 2 Ch 21:7; = happiness, delight (cstr.) נִר רְשָׁעִים Pr 21:4 (so Vrss Thes Buhl Now Wild, > Ew Del SS Frankenb = ii. נִיר sub i. [נִיר] infr.).