Lexical Definition

‎זָהַר‎ zâhar (zaw-har') to shine ^H:V
a primitive root

admonish, shine, teach, (give) warn(-ing).

• to gleam
• figuratively, to enlighten (by caution)

1) to admonish, warn, teach, shine, send out light, be light, be shining
1a) (Niphal) to be taught, be admonished
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to teach, warn
1b2) to shine, send out light (fig.)

Extended Information

• Aramaic equivalent: ze.har (‎ז‎ְ‎ה‎ַ‎ר‎ "to take heed" זְהַר)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

I. [‎זָהַר‎] verb be light, shining (Arabic shine, adjective bright (compare Lag^{BN 120}); Aramaic ‎זְהַר‎, ; Late Hebrew in derivatives; see also below II. ‎זהר‎) —

Hiph`il intrans. (late) send out light, shine, figurative of everlasting glory of teachers of righteousness: ‎וְהַמַּשְׂכִּלִים יַוְהִרוּ כְּזֹהַר הָרָקִיעַ‎ Dan 12:3 and they that make wise shall shine like the shining of the firmament (|| ‎וּמַצְדִּיקֵי הָרַבִּים כַּכּוֺכָבִים לְעוֺלָם וָעֶד‎).

II. [‎זָהַר‎] verb only Hiph`il, Niph`al (Late Hebrew Hiph`il, admonish, compare Aramaic ‎זְהַר‎ (Aph`el, Pa`el etc.), (Arabic VIII. take care of, be mindful of is perhaps Aramaic loan-word, so Tel Amarna compare Lane). — Most identify with I. ‎זהר‎ = give light, enlighten, instruct, admonish; this possible, but not certain, meaning shine is late in Hebrew; usual sense as given below is not enlighten, illumine mentally, but warn; see also construction with two accusatives Exod 18:20); —

Hiph`il Perfect ‎וְהִזְהִיר‎ consecutive Ezek 33:3 suffix ‎וְהִזְהִירהֹ‎ 2Kgs 6:10 2 masculine singular ‎הִזְהַרְתָּ‎ Ezek 3:19; Ezek 33:9, ‎וְהִזְהַרְתָּ֫‎ Ezek 3:17; Ezek 33:7, ‎וְהִזְהַרְתָּ֫ה‎ Exod 18:20, suffix ‎הִזְהַרְתּוֺ‎ Ezek 3:18; Ezek 3:20; Ezek 3:21, ‎וְהִזְהַרְתָּ‎ consecutive Ezek 3:17; Ezek 33:7 ‎וְהִזְהַרְתֶּם‎ consecutive 2Chr 19:10 Infinitive construct ‎לְהַזְהִיר‎ Ezek 3:18; Ezek 33:8 — instruct, teach, warn: Exod 18:20 (E) teach them ordinances (2 accusative); 2Kgs 6:10 the place which (‎אֲשֶׁר‎) the man of God told him of (‎אָמַרלֿוֺ‎) and warned him (suffix) of; elsewhere only Ezra, Chronicles; warn, give a warning to, always followed by accusative of person only: Ezek 3:18; Ezek 3:19; Ezek 3:20; Ezek 33:3 give them (accusative) a warning from me (‎מִפֶּנִּי‎, ‎׳‎‎י‎ speaks) Ezek 3:17; Ezek 33:7 warn the wicked (‎רָשָׁע‎) from (away from, ‎מִן‎) his way Ezek 3:18; Ezek 33:8; Ezek 33:9 warn the righteous (‎צַדִּיק‎) Ezek 3:21 followed by Infinitive in order that the righteous sin not, compare 2Chr 19:10 followed by accusative of person + final clause with ‎וְ‎. Niph`al Perfect 3 masculine singular ‎נִזְהָ֔ר‎ Ezek 3:21; Ezek 33:4; Ezek 33:5; Ezek 33:6 also ‎נִזְהָ֖ר‎ vEzek 33:5 (read perhaps ‎הִזְהִיר‎, so We Sm Co); Imperative ‎הִזָּהֵר‎ Eccl 12:12 Infinitive construct ‎לְהִזָּהֵר‎ Eccl 4:13 Participle ‎נִזְהָר‎ Ps 19:12* — be instructed, admonished, warned (passive of Hiph`il): — ‎גַּםעַֿבְדְּךָ נִזְהָ֣ר בָּהֶם‎ Ps 19:12* yea thy servant, he is instructed (or warned) by them (i.e. lets himself be instructed or warned by the ‎׳‎‎מִשְׁפְּטֵי י‎ vPs 19:10*); in Ezekiel distinctly take warning, absolute Ezek 3:21 (compare Hiph`il) Ezek 33:4; Ezek 33:5a; so Eccl 12:2 and, more generally, ‎אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדַע לְהִזָּהֵר‎ Eccl 4:13 who knoweth not how to take admonition; be warned, receive warning Ezek 33:6 (of people, with ‎לֹא‎, i.e. if no warning be given them), also ᵑ0 vEzek 33:5b, but read perhaps Hiph`il (see above) but he (i.e. the watchman) gave warning, he hath delivered his (own) soul.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References