from צָהַר; a light (i.e. window); dual double light, i.e. noon; midday, noon(-day, -tide), window.
Transliteration:tsôhar
Pronunciation:tso'-har
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term צֹהַר (tsôhar), Strong's number `{{H6672}}`, derives from the root צָהַר (tsâhar), `{{H6671}}`, which conveys the sense of "to glitter," "to be bright," or "to shine." This etymological connection immediately establishes צֹהַר as something associated with light. Its primary semantic range encompasses two distinct yet related meanings:
1. **A source of light, specifically a window or opening:** In this sense, it denotes a physical aperture designed to admit light, as seen in the context of Noah's ark. It is not merely any window, but one specifically designed for illumination.
2. **The brightest part of the day, i.e., noon or midday:** This meaning arises from the dual form of the noun, suggesting "double light" or the peak intensity of the sun's illumination. It refers to the time when light is most abundant and shadows are shortest.
Thus, צֹהַר encapsulates both the conduit of light (window) and the culmination of light (midday), pointing to a concept of full illumination.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word צֹהַר appears in the Hebrew Bible in both its literal and metaphorical senses, offering rich contextual insights:
* **As a "window" or "light opening":**
* [[Genesis 6:16]]: This is the sole occurrence of צֹהַר referring to a physical structure. God instructs Noah, "A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above." The precise nature of this "window" is debated; it could have been a single opening, a continuous skylight strip, or a series of openings. What is clear is its purpose: to provide light within the ark, a vessel of salvation amidst global judgment. This highlights divine provision for visibility and life within a divinely appointed sanctuary.
* **As "noonday" or "midday":** This is the more frequent usage, denoting the brightest part of the day, often with symbolic implications.
* [[Deuteronomy 28:29]]: "And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness..." Here, צֹהַר emphasizes the severity of the curse for disobedience. Even at the brightest time of day, one would be plunged into a metaphorical darkness, signifying utter confusion, helplessness, and divine judgment.
* [[1 Kings 18:29]]: Describing the futile efforts of the prophets of Baal, "they prophesied until the time of the evening sacrifice." The context implicitly covers the long period from morning until noon, highlighting their desperate and ultimately unsuccessful appeals to their god even at the peak of the day's heat and light, contrasting sharply with Elijah's swift and powerful demonstration of Yahweh's sovereignty.
* [[Job 5:14]]: Similar to Deuteronomy, "They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night." This emphasizes the profound disorientation and despair of the wicked or those under divine chastisement, who cannot find their way even when light is abundant.
* [[Job 11:17]]: In a promise of restoration, "And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning." Here, צֹהַר signifies clarity, prosperity, and radiant well-being, contrasting with the previous usage. It speaks of a future brighter than the brightest part of the present.
* [[Psalm 37:6]]: "And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." This verse beautifully portrays divine vindication. God will make the righteousness of His faithful manifest and undeniable, as clear and evident as the sun at its zenith.
* [[Psalm 91:6]]: "Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday." This verse speaks of divine protection. The "destruction that wasteth at noonday" might refer to a plague or disaster that strikes unexpectedly even in broad daylight, when one might feel most secure, underscoring the pervasive nature of God's protection.
* [[Proverbs 4:18]]: "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." The "perfect day" (יוֹם הַצֹּהַר - yōm haṣṣôhar) refers to the full, culminating light of noon. It illustrates the progressive clarity and increasing brilliance of the righteous path, leading to ultimate understanding and blessedness.
* [[Isaiah 58:10]]: "Then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday." This promise to those who practice true fasting and compassion indicates a radical transformation: their darkest moments will be illuminated with the clarity and brightness of noon, signifying spiritual flourishing and divine blessing.
* [[Jeremiah 20:16]]: "And let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide." This is part of Jeremiah's lament, wishing destruction upon the day of his birth, implying constant terror and alarm throughout the day, even at the busiest and most exposed time.
* [[Zephaniah 2:4]]: "For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noonday..." This describes a sudden, decisive judgment, where the inhabitants are driven out even at midday, when such an action would be most visible and humiliating.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of צֹהַר is enriched by considering its connections to other biblical terms and theological concepts:
* **Root צָהַר (tsâhar) `{{H6671}}`:** The verbal root means "to glitter," "to be bright," or "to shine forth." This direct linguistic link underscores the inherent quality of luminosity and clarity associated with צֹהַר.
* **Light (אוֹר - ʾôr `{{H216}}`, נֶגַהּ - neğah `{{H5051}}`, מָאוֹר - māʾôr `{{H3974}}`):** צֹהַר is part of the broader semantic field of "light" in Hebrew, but it often carries a specific nuance of intense, full, or culminating light. Unlike the general terms for light, צֹהַר denotes a specific *type* or *peak* of illumination.
* **Window (חַלּוֹן - ḥallôn `{{H2474}}`):** While חַלּוֹן is the more common word for a window, צֹהַר in [[Genesis 6:16]] suggests a unique, divinely specified opening for light in the ark. This distinction might imply a more purposeful and perhaps singular source of light.
* **Clarity and Revelation:** The concept of "noonday" inherently speaks to a time of maximum visibility, where things are fully exposed and clear. This relates to divine revelation, the unveiling of truth, and the vindication of righteousness.
* **Judgment and Blindness:** Paradoxically, "noonday" can also highlight spiritual blindness, where individuals fail to perceive truth even in the clearest light, leading to confusion and judgment. This emphasizes that true sight is not merely physical but spiritual.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of צֹהַר is multifaceted, ranging from divine provision to profound spiritual metaphors:
* **Divine Provision and Order:** The "window" of the ark ([[Genesis 6:16]]) signifies God's meticulous provision for life and safety. It ensures light and air within the vessel of salvation, demonstrating God's sovereign design even amidst judgment. This *tsôhar* is not an afterthought but a divinely commanded feature, essential for the ark's function and the preservation of life.
* **The Fullness of Divine Revelation and Righteousness:** "Noonday" often symbolizes the peak of clarity and truth. In passages like [[Psalm 37:6]] and [[Proverbs 4:18]], it represents the undeniable manifestation of God's justice and the progressive unveiling of the righteous path. The path of the just leads to the "perfect day" of full understanding and divine favor, where all is revealed in God's light.
* **Paradox of Light and Darkness:** Strikingly, צֹהַר can also highlight spiritual blindness. To "grope at noonday" ([[Deuteronomy 28:29]], [[Job 5:14]]) signifies a profound spiritual inability to discern truth or find one's way, even when divine light is abundantly present. This underscores the reality that light, when rejected or unperceived, can become a source of intensified confusion and judgment. It serves as a powerful reminder that physical light does not guarantee spiritual insight.
* **Divine Judgment and Protection:** The "noonday" can also be a time of intense judgment or unexpected danger ([[Psalm 91:6]], [[Zephaniah 2:4]], [[Jeremiah 20:16]]). This suggests that God's actions, whether in judgment or protection, are not confined to the cover of darkness but can occur openly and decisively, even at the height of the day. The failure of the prophets of Baal at "noon" ([[1 Kings 18:29]]) further illustrates the impotence of false gods when confronted by the clear, undeniable power of Yahweh.
* **Hope and Transformation:** For the faithful, the darkness of affliction can be transformed into the brightness of "noonday" ([[Isaiah 58:10]], [[Job 11:17]]), signifying a reversal of fortunes, divine restoration, and a life illuminated by God's favor and presence.
### Summary
The Hebrew word צֹהַר (tsôhar), `{{H6672}}`, carries the dual meaning of a "window" (specifically for light) and "noonday" or "midday." Rooted in a verb meaning "to shine," it inherently conveys the concept of light and clarity. As a "window" in Noah's ark, it signifies divine provision and design for salvation. More frequently, as "noonday," it serves as a powerful metaphor for the peak of light, representing the full manifestation of truth, divine vindication, and the progressive clarity of the righteous path. Paradoxically, "noonday" can also highlight spiritual blindness, where individuals fail to perceive truth even in abundant light, leading to confusion and judgment. Ultimately, צֹהַר speaks to God's sovereignty over light and darkness, His meticulous provision, the undeniable revelation of His purposes, and the profound spiritual realities unveiled in His presence.
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