נָהָר
Nahar
River, stream
Nahar (נָהָר) is a Hebrew word meaning “river, stream,” pronounced “na-HAR.” Derived from the root נ-ה-ר, nahar appears 117 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H5104).
| Hebrew | נָהָר |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Nahar |
| Pronunciation | na-HAR |
| Meaning | River, stream |
| Root Letters | נ-ה-ר |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 117× |
| Key Verse | Psalm 46:4 |
| Strong's Number | H5104 |
| Category | Nature & Creation |
A nahar (נָהָר) flowed out of Eden to water the garden and then divided into four rivers (Genesis 2:10) — the river of God's presence sustaining all of creation from the very beginning. This edenic image bookends the Bible, as Revelation 22 envisions 'the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God.' Between those two rivers flows the entire story of Scripture. Psalm 46:4 declares, 'There is a nahar whose streams make glad the city of God' — a puzzling statement since historical Jerusalem had no river. The psalm points to a spiritual reality: God's presence itself is the river that gladdens His people. Ezekiel 47 amplifies this vision with a river flowing from the Temple, getting deeper and wider, turning the Dead Sea into a freshwater paradise teeming with life. In a land where water meant the difference between life and death, the image of a never-failing nahar flowing from God's presence was the ultimate promise of abundance and restoration. Every river in the Bible carries the memory of Eden and the promise of paradise restored.
Key Bible Verse: Psalm 46:4
“There is a river (nahar) whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.”
What Is the Root of Nahar in Hebrew?
Nahar comes from the root נ-ה-ר, meaning 'to flow' or 'to shine.' The dual meaning of flowing and shining connects rivers to light in the Hebrew imagination — both are life-giving forces that emanate from a source and spread outward.
What Does Nahar Mean in the Bible?
Nahar appears approximately 117 times in the Hebrew Bible. It refers to the rivers of Eden (Genesis 2:10-14), the Euphrates ('the great nahar,' Genesis 15:18), the Nile, the Jordan, the eschatological river from the Temple (Ezekiel 47), and metaphorically for God's blessings (Psalm 46:4).
How Is Nahar Used in Modern Hebrew?
The Jordan River remains the site of baptisms for Christians worldwide. Israel's National Water Carrier transports water from the Sea of Galilee southward. The Hebrew phrase 'naharot Bavel' (rivers of Babylon) from Psalm 137 is one of the most poignant expressions of Jewish exile and longing.
How to Use Nahar in Prayer & Worship
Pray for the river of God's presence to flow through your life with increasing depth, like Ezekiel's vision. Ask that His living water would flow from you to bring life, healing, and refreshment to everyone around you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nahar
How do you say “River” in Hebrew?
“River” in Hebrew is Nahar (נָהָר), pronounced “na-HAR.” Nahar comes from the root נ-ה-ר, meaning 'to flow' or 'to shine.' The dual meaning of flowing and shining connects rivers to light in the Hebrew imagination — both are life-giving forces that emanate from a source and spread outward.
What does Nahar mean in the Bible?
Nahar (נָהָר) means “River, stream” in Biblical Hebrew. Nahar appears approximately 117 times in the Hebrew Bible. It refers to the rivers of Eden (Genesis 2:10-14), the Euphrates ('the great nahar,' Genesis 15:18), the Nile, the Jordan, the eschatological river from the Temple (Ezekiel 47), and metaphorically for God's blessings (Psalm 46:4).
How do you pronounce Nahar?
Nahar is pronounced “na-HAR.” The word comes from the Hebrew root נ-ה-ר.
What are the four rivers of Eden?
Genesis 2:10-14 names four rivers flowing from Eden: Pishon, Gihon, Tigris (Hiddekel), and Euphrates. Only the Tigris and Euphrates can be identified today. The four rivers symbolize God's abundant provision flowing in every direction. Some scholars see these rivers as representing God's blessing reaching the four corners of the earth.
What is the river in Ezekiel's Temple vision?
In Ezekiel 47, a river (nahar) flows from under the threshold of the Temple, getting ankle-deep, then knee-deep, then waist-deep, then becoming an uncrossable torrent. Wherever the river flows, it brings life — even turning the Dead Sea fresh. This vision represents God's Spirit flowing from His presence, bringing increasing life and healing to a broken world.
Why is the Jordan River so important in the Bible?
The Jordan (Yarden) is Israel's most significant nahar. Israel crossed it to enter the Promised Land (Joshua 3), Elijah parted it (2 Kings 2:8), Naaman was healed in it (2 Kings 5:14), and Jesus was baptized in it (Matthew 3:13). Crossing the Jordan symbolizes transition from wilderness to promise, from old life to new.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H5104: Nahar
- Bible Gateway — Psalm 46:4 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for נ-ה-ר
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