Abarim Publications'
Biblical Name Vault





Hub
Name Vault
On Names in the Bible
Methods and Sources
Bible Commentary
The Hebrew Alphabet


Mardie MacDonald Fund



Cross On Me - a Novel
"Dazzling! Breathtaking!"
Hub Contact Book Reviews Copyright Author

Meaning, origin and etymology of the name Nahor


A
B
C
D
E
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
Y
Z
 Naamah
Naaman
Nahash
Nahor
Nahum
Naomi
Naphtali
Naphtuhim
Nathan
Nathanael
Nazirite
Nebaioth
Nebat
Nehemiah
Nephilim
Nethanel
Nile
Nimrod
Nineveh
Noah
Nod

Nahor Nahor

There are two Nahors in the Bible. One is the paternal grandfather of Abraham, the other is the brother of Abraham and Haran, and half-brother of Sarah (Gen 20:12). Brother Nahor marries Milcah, the daughter of Haran.

The name Nahor may have to do with the verb nhr (nhr 1346). BDB neither confirms nor disputes this but states that 'the connection with the root is obscure.' To make matters worse, this verb is not used in the Bible, although in the cognate languages it means either snorting or nostril. There are three derivatives of this verb that are used in the Bible, and each only once: nhr (nahar 1346a), a snorting (of a horse, Job 39:20); nahara (naharah 1346b), a snorting (Jer 8:6 only); nahir (nahir 1346c), nostril (Job 41:12 only).

Even more confusing is a certain form of the verb harar (harar 1346), be hot, burned or charred. This certain form is nhr and is used in Psalm 69:3 (Green: scorched; NAS: parched ), Jer 6:29 (Green: blow; NAS: blow fiercely) and Eze 15:4 (Green & NAS: charred).

The verb harar is part of a group of three identical roots. The other two are:
harar (hrr 757), the assumed root of hor (hor 757a), noble or free-man;
harar (hrr 758), the assumed root of hor (hor 758a and hur 758b), meaning hole.

Whatever the true etymology and original meaning, to any Hebrew audience the name Nahor would mean both A Snort or A Snorting, and Charred or Scorched.



• • •
home