2096. zohar
Lexical Summary
zohar: Brightness, Splendor

Original Word: זֹהַר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: zohar
Pronunciation: ZOH-har
Phonetic Spelling: (zo'-har)
KJV: brightness
NASB: brightness
Word Origin: [from H2094 (זָהַר - To warn)]

1. brilliancy

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
brightness

From zahar; brilliancy -- brightness.

see HEBREW zahar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from zahar
Definition
shining, brightness
NASB Translation
brightness (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
זֹ֫הַר noun [masculine] shining, brightness (Arabic , Late Hebrew זְהוֺר, compare Aramaic זִיהֲרָא); — absolute Ezekiel 8:2 ׳כְּמַרְאֵה ז like an appearance of shining (explained, vb, as resembling amber, חַשְׁמַל compare Ezekiel 1:27); also construct Daniel 12:3 see foregoing.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

The Hebrew term זֹהַר occurs twice in the Old Testament, each time portraying an intense, dazzling luminosity. Though rare, its impact is profound, framing both a vision of divine presence and a promise of eschatological glory.

Biblical Occurrences

1. Ezekiel 8:2 — the prophet beholds a heavenly figure whose upper body emits “the brilliance of amber”.
2. Daniel 12:3 — the wise “will shine like the brightness of the expanse of heaven”, a glory they will share forever.

Radiance in Prophetic Vision: Ezekiel 8

Ezekiel’s temple vision is one of judgment, yet it begins with overwhelming splendor. The brilliant figure commands attention before exposing hidden idolatry (Ezekiel 8:5–18). The imagery underscores that divine glory cannot be mixed with profanation. Holiness, not spectacle, is the true heart of worship.

Radiance in Eschatological Promise: Daniel 12

Daniel 12 links wisdom and righteousness to heavenly brightness. Those who grasp God’s revelation and lead others to covenant faithfulness will beam with enduring glory. The passage places moral insight above political power, guaranteeing that the faithful, not the mighty, inherit lasting honor.

Theological Significance

1. Revelation of God’s Nature. In Ezekiel, dazzling brilliance communicates transcendence and purity (compare Exodus 24:17; Revelation 1:14–16).
2. Transformation of the Saints. Daniel anticipates the metamorphosis promised in Matthew 13:43 and reflected in 1 Corinthians 15:42–49. Radiance is not merely visual; it represents moral and spiritual conformity to God’s character.
3. Continuity of Glory. From the tabernacle’s cloud (Exodus 40:34–35) to the transfigured Christ (Matthew 17:2), Scripture consistently pairs light with divine presence, showing a unified redemptive theme.

Historical Reception

• Second Temple Judaism read Daniel 12:3 as a cornerstone for the hope of resurrection and reward.
• Early church writers saw in it the foundation for doctrines of glorification and martyrdom’s crown, echoing Hebrews 11:35.
• Throughout Christian liturgy, light imagery drawn from זֹהַר shaped hymns of Advent and Easter, reinforcing anticipation of Christ’s return.

Practical Ministry Insights

• Teaching: Emphasize that true wisdom radiates outward, drawing others to righteousness rather than self-exaltation.
• Discipleship: Encourage believers to cultivate holy living now, confident that present faithfulness yields future glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).
• Worship: Use light motifs—candles, readings, songs—to remind congregations of God’s unapproachable light and the call to “walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).

Christological Foreshadowing

The blazing figure of Ezekiel 8 prefigures the incarnate Son, whose unveiled glory blinded Saul (Acts 9:3–5) and will illuminate the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:23). Daniel’s promise of shared brightness finds its fulfillment in union with Christ, “the radiance of God’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3).

Summary

זֹהַר encapsulates the splendor of God and the destiny of His people: an unblemished, everlasting brilliance that both judges and redeems. It calls believers to revere divine holiness, pursue wisdom, and live in anticipation of sharing the radiant glory of their Lord.

Forms and Transliterations
זֹ֖הַר זהר כְּזֹ֣הַר כזהר kə·zō·har keZohar kəzōhar zō·har Zohar zōhar
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Englishman's Concordance
Ezekiel 8:2
HEB: וּלְמַ֔עְלָה כְּמַרְאֵה־ זֹ֖הַר כְּעֵ֥ין הַחַשְׁמַֽלָה׃
NAS: the appearance of brightness, like the appearance
KJV: as the appearance of brightness, as the colour
INT: and upward the appearance of brightness the appearance of glowing

Daniel 12:3
HEB: וְהַ֨מַּשְׂכִּלִ֔ים יַזְהִ֖רוּ כְּזֹ֣הַר הָרָקִ֑יעַ וּמַצְדִּיקֵי֙
NAS: will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven,
KJV: shall shine as the brightness of the firmament;
INT: have will shine the brightness of the expanse lead

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2096
2 Occurrences


kə·zō·har — 1 Occ.
zō·har — 1 Occ.

2095
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