Lexical Summary noar: Youth, young man, childhood Original Word: נֹעַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance child, youth From na'ar; (abstractly) boyhood (compare na'ar) -- child, youth. see HEBREW na'ar see HEBREW na'ar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as naar Definition youth, early life NASB Translation childhood (1), youth (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs נֹ֫עַר noun masculine youth, early life (rare poetic synonym for נְעוּרִים); — absolute ׳נ Job 33:25 (= youthful vigour), Job 36:14, ׳מִנּ Proverbs 29:21; Psalm 88:16 from youth up. Topical Lexicon Overview The Hebrew noun נֹעַר portrays the season of youth—those impressionable years when a person’s character and destiny are being shaped. The term carries no inherent moral valuation; context determines whether a young condition is celebrated, lamented, preserved, or wasted. Across its four occurrences Scripture uses נֹעַר to illuminate divine compassion, human frailty, the long-reach of formative habits, and the urgency of early discipleship. Biblical Occurrences • Job 33:25 – Elihu describes God’s restorative mercy: “then his flesh is renewed like a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth.” Here נֹעַר signifies a fresh start—health, vigor, and hope granted by the Lord to a chastened sufferer. Historical and Cultural Insights In the Ancient Near East, youth was a distinct social phase, bounded by dependence on the household yet already responsible for labor and learning. Mortality rates were high, making the preservation of life into adulthood a sign of divine favor (Job 36:14). A servant raised “from youth” (Proverbs 29:21) could hold unparalleled trust inside the estate, but indulgence threatened social order. Israelite wisdom literature therefore stresses discipline in early years (Proverbs 22:6) and cautions against the unchecked passions associated with youth (Ecclesiastes 11:9). Theological Themes 1. Restoration – Job 33:25 evokes the regenerative power of God, who delights to return the repentant to the vigor of youth. This anticipates promises of renewal later fulfilled in Christ (Isaiah 40:31; 2 Corinthians 4:16). Practical Ministry Applications • Discipleship – Churches should prioritize robust teaching for children and adolescents, recognizing that decisions made in נֹעַר often set trajectories for decades. Christological and Redemptive Connections Jesus of Nazareth entered human history through infancy and youth, fulfilling the Law completely from His earliest days (Luke 2:40-52). His flawless נֹעַר stands in contrast to the wasted youth of Job 36:14 and supplies righteousness for all who trust Him. Moreover, in the gospel the believer’s inner person is being “renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16), echoing Job 33:25’s return to youthful vitality. The resurrection promises ultimate restoration when “our youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:5). Summary Strong’s Hebrew 5290 highlights both the potential and peril of youth. Those years, while fleeting, bear eternal weight—inviting either God’s restorative blessing or exposing the folly of rebellion. The biblical witness urges careful stewardship of this season, confident that the Lord who formed us in the womb can also redeem, revive, and sustain us from נֹעַר to old age and beyond. Forms and Transliterations בַּנֹּ֣עַר בנער מִנֹּ֑עַר מִנֹּ֣עַר מנער ban·nō·‘ar bannō‘ar banNoar min·nō·‘ar minnō‘ar minNoarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 33:25 HEB: רֻֽטֲפַ֣שׁ בְּשָׂר֣וֹ מִנֹּ֑עַר יָ֝שׁ֗וּב לִימֵ֥י NAS: than in youth, Let him return KJV: shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return INT: become his flesh youth return to the days Job 36:14 Psalm 88:15 Proverbs 29:21 4 Occurrences |
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