and (feminine) נַחֲרָה; from an unused root meaning to snort or snore; a snorting; nostrils, snorting.
Transliteration:nachar
Pronunciation:nakh'-ar
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma `{{H5170}}` (נַחַר, *nachar*) and its feminine form נַחֲרָה (*nacharah*) originate from an unused root meaning "to snort" or "to snore." This etymological foundation points to a primary semantic range encompassing the sound or act of a forceful expulsion of air through the nostrils. By metonymy, it can also refer to the "nostrils" themselves, as the organs through which this sound is produced. The core meaning thus conveys a sense of vigorous, often audible, breathing, distinct from a mere gentle inhalation or exhalation. It implies a powerful, perhaps even agitated, emission of breath.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H5170}}` appears in the Hebrew Bible primarily in its feminine form, נַחֲרָה (*nacharah*), and is notably found in a single, yet highly significant, context:
* **[[Job 39:20]]**: "Can you make him leap like a locust? His majestic snorting is terrifying."
* This verse occurs within God's extended discourse to Job, where the Creator highlights His unparalleled wisdom and power through the description of various wild creatures, specifically the warhorse. The "snorting" (נַחֲרָה) of the warhorse is presented as a quintessential characteristic of its formidable nature. It is not merely a sound but an expression of the animal's inherent strength, ferocity, and readiness for battle. The term "terrifying" (אֵימָה, *eimah*) directly links the sound of the snorting to the awe-inspiring and fear-inducing power of the warhorse, underscoring its untamable might, a power divinely bestowed. The snorting signifies vitality, vigor, and an almost primal force that humans cannot control or fully comprehend.
### Related Words & Concepts
While the root for `{{H5170}}` is unused as a verb, its meaning is clear from the derived noun. It shares a conceptual space with other terms related to breath and the nose:
* `{{H639}}` (אַף, *aph*): This is the most common Hebrew word for "nose" or "nostril," and by extension, "anger" (due to the flaring of nostrils in wrath). While `{{H639}}` refers to the physical organ and the emotion associated with its visible reaction, `{{H5170}}` specifically denotes the forceful sound or act of snorting. The distinction lies in `{{H5170}}` emphasizing the audible manifestation of power or emotion, rather than just the physical structure.
* `{{H7307}}` (רוּחַ, *ruach*): Meaning "spirit," "wind," or "breath." The act of snorting inherently involves breath, connecting `{{H5170}}` to the broader concept of life-force and divine animation.
* `{{H5397}}` (נְשָׁמָה, *neshamah*): Meaning "breath" or "soul," often referring to the breath of life given by God. The forceful breath of snorting, though distinct, is a powerful expression of this life.
* Concepts of power, strength, wildness, and awe are strongly associated with the word, especially in its Joban context.
### Theological Significance
The singular, powerful appearance of `{{H5170}}` in [[Job 39:20]] imbues it with profound theological significance within the book's overarching themes:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Creation:** The "majestic snorting" of the warhorse is presented as an attribute of a creature fashioned by God. It serves as a testament to God's boundless power and wisdom in creation. The untamed strength and terrifying presence of the warhorse, epitomized by its snorting, are ultimately a reflection of the Creator's own incomprehensible might. Humanity cannot replicate or control such power, highlighting the vast chasm between human limitations and divine omnipotence.
* **Awe and Humility:** The description of the warhorse's snorting as "terrifying" is designed to evoke awe, not just of the animal, but of the God who created it. In the context of God's challenge to Job, this detail serves to humble Job, demonstrating that even in seemingly minor aspects of creation, God's power and wisdom are beyond human comprehension. It underscores the call for humanity to stand in reverent awe before the Creator rather than questioning His ways.
* **Symbolism of Untamed Power:** The snorting is a visceral manifestation of raw, untamed power. This power, while potentially destructive from a human perspective, is presented as an integral part of God's good creation. It speaks to a world that, in its wildness and might, consistently points back to the ultimate source of all power – the Almighty God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H5170}}` (נַחַר, *nachar*), and its feminine form נַחֲרָה (*nacharah*), derives from an unused root signifying "to snort" or "to snore." Its primary meaning is "a snorting," and by extension, "nostrils." Its singular and most prominent biblical occurrence is in [[Job 39:20]], where it vividly describes the "majestic snorting" of the warhorse, emphasizing its terrifying power and vigor. Unlike `{{H639}}` (aph), which denotes the physical nose or anger, `{{H5170}}` focuses on the forceful, audible expulsion of breath as an expression of formidable strength. Theologically, this word serves as a powerful descriptor of God's creative might and sovereignty, manifesting in the untamed power of His creatures. It is a sound indicative of formidable life and power, designed to inspire awe and humility before the Creator.
TRV