The meaning of “אוֹר”
Understanding ʼôwr reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun. - illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, includi...
אוֹר
bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun. - illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) 1) light 1a) light of day 1b) light of heavenly luminaries (moon, sun, stars) 1c) day-break, dawn, morning light 1d) daylight 1e) lightning 1f) light of lamp 1g) light of life 1h) light of prosperity 1i) light of instruction 1j) light of face (fig.) 1k) Jehovah as Israel's light
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 1:5 | “And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.” Word: אוֹר (ʼôwr) | |
| 2 Samuel 23:4 | “And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.” Word: אוֹר (ʼôwr) | |
| Psalms 78:14 | “In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.” Word: אוֹר (ʼôwr) | |
| Jeremiah 25:10 | “Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.” Word: אוֹר (ʼôwr) | |
| Amos 8:8 | “Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.” Word: אוֹר (ʼôwr) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Light
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Light, illumination
The Hebrew or (אוֹר) means light—God's first creation (Genesis 1:3). Light symbolizes God's presence, truth, and salvation: 'The LORD is my light and my salvation' (Psalm 27:1).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Light
The Greek phos (φῶς) denotes light. Jesus declared 'I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness' (John 8:12). Believers are called 'children of light' (Ephesians 5:8).