or נִר; also נֵיר; or נֵר; or (feminine) נֵרָה; from a primitive root (see נִיר; נוּר) properly, meaning to glisten; a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively); candle, lamp, light.
Transliteration:nîyr
Pronunciation:neer
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term נִיר (nîyr), Strong's `{{H5216}}`, primarily denotes a 'lamp' or 'light' and is derived from a primitive root signifying 'to glisten' or 'to shine.' This root suggests the inherent quality of emitting light, whether naturally or through combustion. While its most basic meaning refers to a physical lamp or candle—a vessel that holds oil and a wick to produce illumination—its semantic range extends significantly into the figurative. It can represent:
1. **Physical Illumination:** A literal light source used in homes, temples, or for travel.
2. **Guidance and Direction:** Light as a metaphor for divine instruction, wisdom, or a path forward in life.
3. **Life, Prosperity, and Well-being:** A lamp often symbolizes the continuation of life, a flourishing state, or the presence of blessing. Its extinguishing signifies death, ruin, or judgment.
4. **Dynastic Continuity and Succession:** Particularly in relation to the Davidic covenant, a "lamp" signifies the enduring presence and continuation of a royal line.
5. **Witness or Testimony:** Light revealing truth or providing evidence.
The word also appears in variant forms such as נִר, נֵיר, נֵר, and the feminine נֵרָה, all retaining this core sense of a light source or its symbolic extensions.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term נִיר (nîyr) and its variants appear frequently across the Hebrew Bible, often with rich symbolic weight.
In its literal sense, it refers to a physical lamp, such as in the context of the Tabernacle/Temple. While the grand Menorah is often described with broader terms for 'light' (e.g., מאור, `{{H3974}}`), the *concept* of a continually burning lamp is central to its function, and נִיר can describe the individual lamps. More commonly, it depicts domestic or personal illumination. [[2 Samuel 21:17]] uses נֵר to refer to David's life as the "lamp of Israel," highlighting his vital role as a leader and source of guidance for the nation, lest it be extinguished.
Figuratively, נִיר is profoundly significant:
* **Divine Guidance:** Perhaps its most iconic use is in [[Psalm 119:105]]: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Here, God's Torah (word/instruction) is portrayed as the essential illumination for navigating life's complexities, guiding one's steps and revealing the way forward. This emphasizes the practical, immediate, and continuous nature of divine revelation.
* **Life, Prosperity, and Righteousness:** Proverbs frequently employs נִיר to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked. [[Proverbs 13:9]] states, "The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked goes out," contrasting the enduring vitality and blessing of the upright with the inevitable demise and judgment of the ungodly. Similarly, [[Proverbs 20:20]] warns that "whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness," linking the extinguishing of the lamp to divine judgment and the loss of life or legacy. [[Proverbs 24:20]] echoes this theme. The idea of a lamp remaining lit signifies continued life, progeny, and prosperity, as seen in [[Proverbs 31:18]] regarding the diligent wife whose "lamp does not go out at night."
* **Dynastic Continuity (The "Lamp of David"):** A crucial theological motif is the "lamp for David," which signifies God's unwavering covenant faithfulness to the Davidic dynasty. In [[1 Kings 11:36]], God promises to leave one tribe to Solomon's son "that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem." This promise is reiterated in [[1 Kings 15:4]] and [[2 Kings 8:19]], where God, for David's sake, refuses to destroy Judah, ensuring a descendant always reigns. This "lamp" symbolizes the enduring presence and divine preservation of the Davidic line, despite the failures of individual kings. It speaks to the unconditional nature of God's covenant with David.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of נִיר (nîyr) intersects with several other Hebrew words related to light and illumination:
* **אור (ʾôr, `{{H216}}`):** This is the most general and foundational term for 'light,' encompassing everything from the light of creation ([[Genesis 1:3]]) to the light of God's presence and salvation ([[Psalm 27:1]]). While נִיר refers to a specific *source* of light (a lamp), אור is the *phenomenon* of light itself.
* **מאור (maʾôr, `{{H3974}}`):** Denotes a 'luminary' or 'light-bearer,' specifically used for the sun, moon, and stars ([[Genesis 1:14-16]]). It refers to the great sources of light, distinct from the smaller, human-made lamp of נִיר.
* **נגה (nōgah, `{{H5051}}`):** Signifies 'brightness,' 'radiance,' or 'dawn.' It describes the effulgence or glow, often associated with divine glory or a new beginning.
* **לפיד (lappîd, `{{H3940}}`):** Refers to a 'torch' or 'flame,' a more intense and portable source of light than a stationary lamp, often associated with military or ceremonial contexts.
* **שמן (shemen, `{{H8081}}`):** 'Oil,' which is the fuel for the lamp. The presence or absence of oil is directly linked to the lamp's ability to shine, highlighting the necessity of sustenance (physical or spiritual) for life and illumination.
The distinction of נִיר lies in its emphasis on a *contained* or *maintained* light source, often one that requires human tending (filling with oil, trimming the wick). This makes it particularly apt for metaphors about human life, divine guidance, and covenant continuity, as these too require upkeep, faithfulness, and divine provision.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of נִיר (nîyr) is profound, extending from practical guidance to the very nature of God's covenant faithfulness.
Firstly, God Himself is often portrayed as the ultimate source of light ([[Psalm 27:1]], [[Isaiah 60:19]]). Therefore, anything that functions as a "lamp" in the biblical narrative ultimately derives its light from Him. When God's word is called a "lamp" ([[Psalm 119:105]]), it underscores its divine origin and its indispensable role in illuminating the moral and spiritual path for humanity. It is not merely advice but divinely-empowered truth that guides and protects.
Secondly, the "lamp" serves as a powerful symbol of life, well-being, and divine favor. For one's "lamp" to be extinguished signifies the cessation of life, the loss of blessing, or the judgment of God upon the wicked ([[Proverbs 13:9]], [[Proverbs 20:20]]). Conversely, a brightly burning lamp signifies flourishing, righteousness, and the presence of God's blessing. This metaphor emphasizes that true life and prosperity are intrinsically linked to walking in God's light.
Thirdly, and perhaps most significantly, the "lamp for David" motif is a cornerstone of Old Testament theology. It embodies God's sovereign and enduring commitment to His covenant with David ([[2 Samuel 7:12-16]]). Despite the failures and apostasies of individual kings, God promised that a "lamp" (a descendant) would always remain before Him, ensuring the continuity of the Davidic line. This promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the "Son of David" and the "light of the world" ([[John 8:12]]), the eternal "lamp" who perfectly embodies and extends God's covenant faithfulness. Thus, נִיר, in this context, becomes a prophetic symbol pointing to the Messiah.
### Summary
The Hebrew word נִיר (nîyr, `{{H5216}}`), originating from a root meaning 'to glisten,' primarily denotes a 'lamp' or 'light source.' Its semantic range extends far beyond a literal object, encompassing rich figurative meanings. Biblically, it functions as a potent symbol for divine guidance, as seen in God's word being a "lamp to my feet" ([[Psalm 119:105]]). It represents life, prosperity, and the flourishing of the righteous, contrasting sharply with the extinguishing of the lamp for the wicked, which signifies judgment and ruin. Most profoundly, נִיר serves as a vital symbol of God's unwavering covenant faithfulness, particularly in the recurring motif of the "lamp for David," assuring the perpetual continuity of the Davidic royal line. This motif points forward to the ultimate and eternal "lamp" in the person of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Thus, נִיר encapsulates themes of divine illumination, covenant fidelity, and the eschatological hope of God's enduring presence and salvation.
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