The Bahir is one of the oldest and most important of all
Kabbalistic texts. Until the publication of the Zohar, the Bahir was the
most influential source of Kabbalistic teachings. It is quoted in
virtually every major Kabbalistic work and is cited numerous times by
the Ramban in his commentary on the Torah. It is also paraphrased and
quoted many times in the Zohar.(12th century)
The name 'Bahir' literally means 'brilliant' or
'Illumination', and is derived from the first verse quoted in the text
of the Bahir "And now they do not see the light, it is brilliant [bahir]
in the skies", which itself is a quote from the book of Job (37:21).