Original Word: זָהַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: zahar
Pronunciation: zah-HAR
Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-har')
KJV: admonish, shine, teach, (give) warn(-ing)
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to gleam
2. (figuratively) to enlighten (by caution)

admonish, shine, teach, give warning

A primitive root; to gleam; figuratively, to enlighten (by caution) -- admonish, shine, teach, (give) warn(-ing).

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 Daniel 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 Exodus 18:20); —

Hiph`il Perfect וְהִזְהִיר consecutive Ezekiel 33:3; suffix וְהִזְהִירהֹ 2 Kings 6:10; 2masculine singular הִזְהַרְתָּ Ezekiel 3:19; Ezekiel 33:9, וְהִזְהַרְתָּ֫ Ezekiel 3:17; Ezekiel 33:7, וְהִזְהַרְתָּ֫ה Exodus 18:20, suffix הִזְהַרְתּוֺ Ezekiel 3:18,20,21, וְהִזְהַרְתָּ consecutive Ezekiel 3:17; Ezekiel 33:7; וְהִזְהַרְתֶּם consecutive 2 Chronicles 19:10; Infinitive construct לְהַזְהִיר Ezekiel 3:18; Ezekiel 33:8; — instruct, teach, warn: Exodus 18:20 (E) teach them ordinances (2 accusative); 2 Kings 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: Ezekiel 3:18,19,20; Ezekiel 33:3; give them (accusative) a warning from me (מִמֶּנִּי, ׳י speaks) Ezekiel 3:17; Ezekiel 33:7; warn the wicked (רָשָׁע) from (away from, מִן) his way Ezekiel 3:18; Ezekiel 33:8,9; warn the righteous (צַדִּיק) Ezekiel 3:21 followed by Infinitive in order that the righteous sin not, compare 2 Chronicles 19:10 followed by accusative of person + final clause with וְ.

Niph`al Perfect3masculine singular נִזְהָ֔ר Ezekiel 3:21; Ezekiel 33:4,5,6; also נִזְהָ֖ר Ezekiel 33:5 (read perhaps הִזְהִיר, so We Sm Co); Imperative הִזָּהֵר Ecclesiastes 12:12; Infinitive construct לְהִזָּהֵר Ecclesiastes 4:13; Participle נִזְהָר Psalm 19:12; — be instructed, admonished, warned (passive of Hiph`il): — גַּםעַֿבְדְּךָ נִזְהָ֣ר בָּהֶם Psalm 19:12 yea thy servant, he is instructed (or warned) by them (i.e. lets himself be instructed or warned by the ׳מִשְׁמְּטֵי י Psalm 19:10); in Ezekiel distinctly take warning, absolute Ezekiel 3:21 (compare

Hiph`il) Ezekiel 33:4,5a; so Ecclesiastes 12:2 and, more Generally, אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדַע לְהִזָּהֵר Ecclesiastes 4:13 who knoweth not how to take admonition; be warned, receive warning Ezekiel 33:6 (of people, with לֹא, i.e. if no warning be given them), also ᵑ0 Ezekiel 33:5b, but read perhaps Hiph`il (see above) but he (i.e. the watchman) gave warning, he hath delivered his (own) soul.

Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 2094, zahar, gathers two strands of meaning that Scripture weaves together: (1) to warn or admonish, and (2) to shine or radiate. The Spirit’s choice to pair moral alertness with luminous brilliance underscores a single truth—divine warning is itself light. Across twenty-two Old Testament occurrences, zahar functions as a gracious alarm that rescues from danger and as a gleam that guides toward covenant faithfulness.

Usage in the Torah

Exodus 18:20 records Moses instructed to “warn them of the statutes and laws, and show them the way to walk and the work they must do.” Here zahar establishes a pastoral pattern: God’s people are safeguarded when leaders plainly set before them the revealed will of God. The verse creates the template followed by prophets, priests, and kings in later books.

Warning in the Historical Books

When the Arameans plotted ambush, Elisha repeatedly sent word to Israel’s king “and warned him, so that he was on his guard” (2 Kings 6:10). Likewise, King Jehoshaphat charged the judges, “warn them not to incur guilt before the LORD” (2 Chronicles 19:10). In both narratives, zahar exposes hidden peril—military or moral—so that covenant heads may act decisively. Spiritual oversight and protective leadership are inseparable.

Illumination in the Psalms and Wisdom Literature

Psalm 19:11 celebrates the radiance of divine precepts: “By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.” The psalmist unites warning with delight; the same light that reveals error also promises joy.

Ecclesiastes employs the verb twice (4:13; 12:12) to caution learners about headstrong folly and endless books. The Preacher’s warnings safeguard the heart from vanities that dim the fear of God.

The Watchman Motif in Ezekiel

Half of zahar’s occurrences cluster in Ezekiel 3 and 33, where the prophet receives the solemn office of watchman. His mandate is to hear God’s word and “warn” the wicked and the righteous alike (Ezekiel 3:17-21; 33:3-9). The repeated pattern—hear, warn, deliver your soul—teaches that silent shepherds share guilt for unrepented sin. Yet faithful warning liberates both speaker and hearer. The watchman sections ground the theology of pastoral responsibility later echoed in Acts 20:26-27 and Hebrews 13:17.

Eschatological Brilliance in Daniel

Daniel 12:3 employs zahar in its radiant sense: “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” The prophetic horizon reveals the fullest convergence of the verb’s two facets. Those who have faithfully warned others during history will themselves blaze with everlasting splendor in resurrection glory.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Preaching and teaching: Zaharian ministry brings Scripture’s light to bear on every conscience, coupling exhortation with exposure.
• Pastoral care: Elders follow the watchman paradigm, discharging duty through timely admonition that prevents bloodguilt.
• Discipleship: Mutual warning within the body (compare Hebrews 3:13) preserves fellowship and fosters holiness.
• Evangelism: The gospel itself is a warning that also shines, calling sinners from darkness to light (Acts 26:18).

Christological and New Testament Connections

Jesus embodies the ultimate zahar ministry—both “the Light of the world” (John 8:12) and the prophetic voice that warns of judgment (Matthew 24). His followers mirror this dual role as “children of light” (Ephesians 5:8) who “admonish one another” (Colossians 3:16). Paul’s declaration, “I am innocent of the blood of all” (Acts 20:26), consciously recalls Ezekiel’s watchman theology.

Summary

Zahar integrates moral urgency with radiant guidance. Whether issued from Sinai, royal courts, prophetic watchtowers, or the lips of Wisdom, its warnings are beams of grace steering God’s people away from ruin and toward everlasting brightness. The verb therefore calls every generation to faithful proclamation, diligent obedience, and confident hope in the Day when the warned and the shining become one and the same.

הִזְהַ֣רְתָּ הִזְהַ֨רְתָּ הִזְהַרְתּ֗וֹ הִזְהַרְתּ֣וֹ הִזְהַרְתּוֹ֙ הִזָּהֵ֑ר הזהר הזהרת הזהרתו וְהִזְהִ֥יר וְהִזְהִירֹ֖ו וְהִזְהַרְתֶּ֣ם וְהִזְהַרְתָּ֣ה וְהִזְהַרְתָּ֥ והזהיר והזהירו והזהרת והזהרתה והזהרתם יַזְהִ֖רוּ יזהרו לְהִזָּהֵ֖ר לְהַזְהִ֥יר להזהיר להזהר נִזְהָ֔ר נִזְהָ֖ר נִזְהָ֣ר נזהר hiz·har·tā hiz·har·tōw hiz·zā·hêr hizHarta hizhartā hizharTo hizhartōw hizzaHer hizzāhêr lə·haz·hîr lə·hiz·zā·hêr lehazHir ləhazhîr lehizzaHer ləhizzāhêr niz·hār nizHar nizhār vehizharTa vehizharTah vehizharTem vehizHir vehizhiRo wə·hiz·har·tā wə·hiz·har·tāh wə·hiz·har·tem wə·hiz·hî·rōw wə·hiz·hîr wəhizhartā wəhizhartāh wəhizhartem wəhizhîr wəhizhîrōw yaz·hi·rū yazHiru yazhirūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts