A verb meaning to shine, illuminate, or give light. It describes the shining of light — whether from the sun, moon, stars, fire, or divine glory. The word conveys both physical light and the metaphorical light of understanding, guidance, and divine presence.
Light in Scripture is never merely physical — it is ontologically connected to God himself. 'God is light; in him there is no darkness at all' (1 John 1:5). Nagah describes the act of shining that dispels darkness. The progressive revelation of Scripture moves toward more light: from the first 'let there be light,' through the pillar of fire, the shekinah glory, the transfiguration, to the ultimate city that needs no sun because God is its light. Believers are called to be light-reflectors — to let the glory of Christ shine through their lives into a world of spiritual darkness.