Lexical Summary shachar: dawn, daybreak, morning Original Word: שַׁחַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dayspring, early, light, morning, whence rises From shachar; dawn (literal, figurative or adverbial) -- day(-spring), early, light, morning, whence riseth. see HEBREW shachar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition dawn NASB Translation charm away (1), dawn (16), dawn* (1), dawning of the day (1), daybreak (2), morning (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs שַׁ֫חַר noun masculineGenesis 19:15 dawn; — absolute ׳שׁ 1 Samuel 9:26 +, שָׁ֑חַר Judges 19:25 +; suffix שַׁחְרָךְ Isaiah 47:11 (but read probably שַׁחֲדָהּ); — dawn, with עָלָה rise Genesis 19:15; Genesis 32:25,27; Joshua 6:15 (all J), Judges 19:25; 1 Samuel 9:26; Nehemiah 4:15; Jonah 4:7; opposed to עֵיפָה Amos 4:13; as adverb at dawn Psalm 57:9 = Psalm 108:3; ׳עַפְעַמֵּישֿׁ Job 3:9; Job 41:10; ׳כַּנְפֵישֿׁ Psalm 139:9; Psalm 110:3 read probably ׳רֶחֶם שׁ (see מִשְׁחָר below); ׳שׁ also Job 38:12, in simile Hosea 6:3 (but read כְּשַׁחֲרֵנוּ כֵּן נִמְצָאֵהוּ as infinitive, see following, GieBeitr. 208 We Now GASm Marti), Isaiah 58:8; Songs 6:10; Joel 2:2 (al. blackness, "" עָנָן וַעֲרָפֶל); ׳בֶּןשֿׁ Isaiah 14:12 (of star, figurative of royal splendour; — literal as myth RSK 300); ׳אֵין לוֺ שׁ Isaiah 8:20 is obscure, so also ׳בַּשּׁ Hosea 10:15 (We in storm, i.e. בַּשַּׂעַר). — Isaiah 47:11 usually, but improbably, dawn (origin) of calamity: JHMich Hi Ew Rö (Thes) De Di and others charm away (RVm) (Arabic  enchant (WeHeid. 2. 159, 200),  enchantment [= Sabean סחר DHMHofmus. 24. 1]); but see [ שָׁחַד]. Topical Lexicon Overview שַׁחַר denotes the earliest light of day, the transition from darkness to sunrise. Across the Old Testament its twenty-five occurrences cluster around literal mornings, decisive divine interventions, poetic praise, and prophetic promise or warning. The theme that binds the usages together is the certainty that God orders every dawning, making it a symbol of both hope and accountability. Literal Dawn as Transition from Night to Day In narrative texts שַׁחַר is the hour when crucial events unfold. Angels urge Lot out of Sodom “when the dawn came” (Genesis 19:15). Jacob wrestles the mysterious man “until the breaking of day” (Genesis 32:24, 26), a turning-point that births both a new name and a lifelong limp. Israel encircles Jericho “at daybreak” on the seventh day (Joshua 6:15), and victory coincides with sunrise. Similar timing marks Samuel’s commissioning of Saul (1 Samuel 9:26), the Levite’s departure in Judges 19:25, and Jonah’s object lesson with the withered plant (Jonah 4:7). Scripture’s chronicling of dawn underscores God’s sovereign scheduling of salvation and discipline. Dawn in Covenant Work and Watchfulness Nehemiah’s builders labored “from first light till the stars appeared” (Nehemiah 4:21), illustrating vigilance amid opposition. The practice of rising before sunrise to serve God anticipates the Psalmist’s resolve, “I will awaken the dawn” (Psalm 57:8; Psalm 108:2). The faithful greet the day as stewards, not spectators. Divine Command of Dawn Job is interrogated: “Have you ever given orders to the morning or shown the dawn its place?” (Job 38:12). The question exposes human limitation and magnifies the Creator who not only begins each day but assigns it purpose. Job 41:18 compares Leviathan’s eyes to “the rays of dawn,” hinting that even terrifying creatures bear traces of the divine artistry embedded in first light. Poetic and Prophetic Imagery Psalms and Prophets deploy שַׁחַר metaphorically. • Psalm 139:9 exalts the inescapable presence of God: “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, … even there Your hand will guide me.” Personification and Polemic Isaiah 14:12 exposes Babylon’s king as the fallen “morning star, son of the dawn,” a hubristic figure cast down by the God who authored light. The phrase taps ancient myths that deified dawn, yet Scripture demythologizes and subordinates it to Yahweh. Isaiah 8:20 warns that those who reject divine revelation will have “no light of dawn,” a stark verdict against occult counsel. Likewise Isaiah 47:11 foresees disaster that will come upon Babylon with a speed “you will not know its dawn,” portraying calamity that beats the sunrise. Messianic Resonance The title of Psalm 22, “The Doe of the Dawn,” frames the suffering cry later answered by resurrection’s morning. Subsequent biblical theology identifies Jesus Christ as “the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16), fulfilling every hint that the true dawn is a Person who banishes night forever. Ministry Applications 1. Habitual Early Seeking: The pattern of patriarchs, prophets, and psalmists commends deliberate morning communion with God, anchoring the day in worship and obedience. Through every textual appearance, שַׁחַר proclaims the God who begins, sustains, and concludes history. The sunrise we witness each day is both reminder and rehearsal of the final, eternal dawn prepared for those who trust Him. Forms and Transliterations בַּשַּׁ֕חַר בשחר הַשַּׁ֔חַר הַשַּׁ֖חַר הַשַּׁ֗חַר הַשַּׁ֙חַר֙ הַשַּׁ֣חַר הַשָּֽׁחַר׃ הַשָּׁ֑חַר הַשַּׁ֣חַר השחר השחר׃ כְּשַׁ֖חַר כַּעֲל֣וֹת כַּשַּׁ֙חַר֙ כעלות כשחר שַׁ֙חַר֙ שַׁחְרָ֔הּ שָּֽׁחַר׃ שָֽׁחַר׃ שָׁ֑חַר שחר שחר׃ שחרה baš·ša·ḥar bashShachar baššaḥar haš·ša·ḥar haš·šā·ḥar hashShachar haššaḥar haššāḥar ka‘ălōwṯ ka·‘ă·lō·wṯ kaaLot kaš·ša·ḥar kashShachar kaššaḥar kə·ša·ḥar kəšaḥar keShachar ša·ḥar šā·ḥar šaḥ·rāh šaḥar šāḥar šaḥrāh Shachar shachRahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 19:15 HEB: וּכְמוֹ֙ הַשַּׁ֣חַר עָלָ֔ה וַיָּאִ֥יצוּ NAS: When morning dawned, the angels KJV: And when the morning arose, INT: When morning dawned urged Genesis 32:24 Genesis 32:26 Joshua 6:15 Joshua 6:15 Judges 19:25 1 Samuel 9:26 Nehemiah 4:21 Job 3:9 Job 38:12 Job 41:18 Psalm 22:1 Psalm 57:8 Psalm 108:2 Psalm 139:9 Songs 6:10 Isaiah 8:20 Isaiah 14:12 Isaiah 47:11 Isaiah 58:8 Hosea 6:3 Hosea 10:15 Joel 2:2 Amos 4:13 Jonah 4:7 25 Occurrences |
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