English · KJV
H2094

זָהַר

zâhar /zaw-har'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto gleam; figuratively, to enlighten (by caution)
KJV usageadmonish, shine, teach, (give) warn(-ing).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of zâhar — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word zâhar, represented by H2094, is a primitive root that means to gleam or shine. Figuratively, it expands to mean to enlighten by caution, to admonish, teach, or give a warning. It appears 22 times across 19 unique verses, conveying a dual sense of illumination and urgent caution.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H2094 is most prominently used to convey the act of giving a critical warning. In the book of Ezekiel, God commissions the prophet as a watchman H6822 for the house of Israel H3478 with the specific command to warn them from God (Ezekiel 3:17, Ezekiel 33:7). This duty carries life-or-death consequences; if the prophet fails to warn the wicked H7563, their blood H1818 will be required at his hand Ezekiel 3:18. The word also carries the literal meaning of shining, as seen in the prophecy that the wise H7919 "shall shine H2094 as the brightness of the firmament" Daniel 12:3. Additionally, it is used for instruction and admonishment, such as when Moses is to teach the people ordinances and laws Exodus 18:20 or when a foolish king will no longer be admonished Ecclesiastes 4:13.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and application of H2094:

  • H2096 zôhar (brilliancy): This noun, derived from the same root, means brightness. It is used alongside H2094 to emphasize the radiant future of the wise, who will shine with the brightness of the firmament Daniel 12:3.
  • H6822 tsâphâh (watch(-man)): This term describes the role of one who observes and warns. The prophet Ezekiel is appointed as a watchman whose duty is to hear God's word and then warn H2094 the people Ezekiel 33:7.
  • H7563 râshâʻ (wicked (man)): This word identifies the person who is morally wrong and often the recipient of the divine warning. The prophet's responsibility is to warn the wicked to turn from his wicked way Ezekiel 3:19.
  • H7782 shôwphâr (trumpet): The sound of a trumpet is a tool for warning. If a watchman sees the sword H2719 coming and blows the trumpet to warn H2094 the people, he has done his duty Ezekiel 33:3-6.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H2094 is profound, centering on accountability and divine communication.

  • Prophetic Accountability: The word establishes the grave responsibility of God's messengers. A prophet's own soul H5315 is delivered only if he faithfully gives the warning (Ezekiel 3:19, Ezekiel 3:21). This illustrates that speaking God's truth is a non-negotiable, life-saving duty.
  • The Light of Righteousness: In its "shining" sense, H2094 points to the eschatological glory of the wise. Those who turn many to righteousness H6663 will shine like stars H3556, linking wisdom and righteous living to eternal radiance Daniel 12:3.
  • Instruction as Preemptive Warning: God's laws serve as a guiding light that warns His people. The psalmist acknowledges that by God's judgments "is thy servant warned" H2094, and in keeping them there is a great reward H6118 Psalms 19:11.

Summary

In summary, H2094 is a dynamic term that moves between the concepts of shining light and sounding an alarm. It is not merely a passive gleam but an active enlightenment intended to caution and instruct. Whether describing a prophet's duty to warn of judgment, the value of God's law as a guide, or the future glory of the righteous, zâhar underscores the life-giving importance of divine illumination and the critical responsibility to heed it.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 21 occurrences, inflected in 10 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • הִזְהַרְתּ
  • הִזְהַרְתָּ
  • נִזְהָר
  • נִזְהָר
  • הַזְהִיר
  • הִזְהַרְתֶּם
  • הִזְהִיר
  • יַזְהִרוּ
  • הִזָּהֵר
  • הִזָּהֵר

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H6822 צָפָה a primitive root; properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await; behold, H3478 יִשְׂרָאֵל from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel H7563 רָשָׁע from רָשַׁע; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), tha H1818 דָּם from דָּמַם (compare אָדַם); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of H7919 שָׂכַל a primitive root; to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent; consider, expert, instruct, prosp H2096 זֹהַר from זָהַר; brilliancy; brightness.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 19 verses across 7 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Ezekiel (12 verses); never once in the other 32.

1
Exodus
1
2 Kings
1
2 Chronicles
1
Psalms
2
Ecclesiastes
12
Ezekiel
1
Daniel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.