נֹגַהּ
Nogah, a son of David
Definition
Nogah is the name of a son of King David, born to him in Jerusalem. He is listed among David's sons in two parallel genealogical records (1 Chronicles 3:7, 1 Chronicles 14:6). The name itself means 'brightness' or 'splendor,' derived from the common noun 'nogah.' As a proper noun, it functions solely as a personal name in the biblical text, with no other attested meanings or applications.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively as a proper name for one of David's sons. It appears only in the two parallel lists in 1 Chronicles, which document David's lineage. In 1 Chronicles 3:1-9, he is listed among the sons born in Jerusalem, and in 1 Chronicles 14:4-7, he is again listed among the sons born there. There are no other usages or contextual variations.
Etymology
The name Nogah (נֹגַהּ) is identical to the common Hebrew noun H5051 (nogah), meaning 'brightness,' 'splendor,' or 'morning light.' It is derived from the root נ-ג-ה (n-g-h), which conveys the idea of shining or radiating light. As a name, it was likely given to signify hope or a positive attribute, as was common with Hebrew names derived from nouns describing light or glory.
Semantic Range
While the individual Nogah is not a major theological figure, his inclusion in the Davidic lineage is significant. It underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to David of a enduring dynasty and many descendants (2 Samuel 7:12-16). The meaning of his name, 'brightness,' may symbolically connect to the future hope of the Messianic line descending from David, which is later described in prophetic terms as a great light (e.g., Isaiah 9:2). Understanding the name's meaning adds a layer of symbolic resonance to the genealogical record.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and descriptive, sometimes reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or attributes of God. Naming a child 'Brightness' (Nogah) likely expressed a hope for the child's future or acknowledged God's glory. As a son of the king, his name may also have carried royal connotations of splendor and honor associated with the Davidic house.
nogah (H5051) — This is the common noun meaning 'brightness' or 'splendor' from which the proper name is directly derived. or (H216) — A more general term for 'light.' nogah often implies a shining forth or radiance. ziv (H2094) — 'brightness,' 'splendor'; often used for the shining of a countenance or of precious metals.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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