Hebrew · H5564, H3027

סָמַךְ

To prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense) · a hand (the open one [indicating power , means , direction , etc.], in distinction from 3709 , the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote [as follows]

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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

סָמַךְ H5564 to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
Pronunciation sômēḵ
Physical support becomes relational dependence—leaning on God signals covenant trust; leaning wrongly signals faithlessness.
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יָד H3027 a hand (the open one [indicating power , means , direction , etc.], in distinction from 3709 , the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote [as follows]
Pronunciation yād
Open hand signifies power, control, and agency; extends from literal grasp to dominion and divine authority throughout Scripture.
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What does סָמַךְ (śômēḵ yāḏô) mean in the Bible?

סָמַךְ · יָד: To physically support or uphold; metaphorically, to rely upon or trust in another's strength.

Full entry for סָמַךְ (H5564, H3027) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does סָמַךְ · יָד mean in the Bible?

סָמַךְ · יָד: To physically support or uphold; metaphorically, to rely upon or trust in another's strength.

How many biblical occurrences are listed for H5564, H3027?

H5564, H3027 is connected to 1,675 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.

Evidence Summary

Hebrew phrase. To physically support or uphold; metaphorically, to rely upon or trust in another's strength.

Source Gloss

to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
Extended definition

To physically support or uphold; metaphorically, to rely upon or trust in another's strength.

bear up, establish, (up-) hold, lay, lean, lie hard, put, rest self, set self, stand fast, stay (self), sustain.

Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.

Form groups 2 Aligned forms 15
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 11×
Participle active Ezek 30:6 · Isa 63:5 · Ps 37:24 · Ps 145:14
Participle passive Isa 26:3 · Ps 111:8 · Ps 112:8
Perfect Deut 34:9 · Ezek 24:2 · Ps 88:8
Imperfect Num 8:12
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action
Imperfect 2Kgs 18:21 · Isa 36:6
Perfect Isa 48:2 · Ps 71:6
Sampled Scripture Occurrences

Representative Scripture witnesses for this entry: passage, original form, and sense in context.

Old Testament Witnesses
Psalms 37:18–26 סוֹמֵךְ יָדוֹ sômēḵ · yād Qal · Participle active
Upholding his hand; supporting by the hand; implies a guardian's help that catches a person as they trip
Sources