What does שָׂמֵחַ (šāmēḥa) mean in the Bible?
שָׂמֵחַ (šāmēḥa): Joy that wells up from inner gladness and overflows into outward celebration and merriment
Hebrew · H8056
שָׂמֵחַ
שָׂמֵחַ (šāmēḥa): Joy that wells up from inner gladness and overflows into outward celebration and merriment
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שָׂמֵחַH8056
Pronunciationšāmēḥa
What does שָׂמֵחַ (šāmēḥa) mean in the Bible?
Full entry for שָׂמֵחַ (H8056) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H8056?
The BSB source-word alignment has 21 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include A joyful (2), and rejoicing (2), joyful (2), were rejoicing (2), and enjoy yourself (1).
Where does שָׂמֵחַ (šāmēḥa) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Deuteronomy 16:15. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 Kings (4), Proverbs (4), Psalms (3), 2 Chronicles (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA joyful2×Proverbs 15:13, Proverbs 17:22
and rejoicing2×1 Kings 1:40, 1 Kings 4:20
joyful2×1 Kings 8:66, 2 Chronicles 7:10
were rejoicing2×2 Kings 11:14, 2 Chronicles 23:13
and enjoy yourself1×Esther 5:14
as a joyful1×Psalms 113:9
filled with joy1×Psalms 126:3
from those who enjoy1×Proverbs 2:14
full of joy1×Esther 5:9
May those who gloat1×Psalms 35:26
so that your joy1×Deuteronomy 16:15
the merrymakers1×Isaiah 24:7
took delight1×Ecclesiastes 2:10
who rejoice1×Job 3:22
whoever gloats1×Proverbs 17:5
with rejoicing1×1 Kings 1:45
you who rejoice1×Amos 6:13
Show sample aligned rows
Deuteronomy 16:15שָׂמֵֽחַ׃toso that your joyAdjective - masculine singular1 Kings 1:40וּשְׂמֵחִ֖יםtoand rejoicingConjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural1 Kings 1:45שְׂמֵחִ֔יםtowith rejoicingAdjective - masculine plural1 Kings 4:20וּשְׂמֵחִֽים׃toand rejoicingConjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural1 Kings 8:66שְׂמֵחִים֙tojoyfulAdjective - masculine plural2 Kings 11:14שָׂמֵ֔חַtowere rejoicingAdjective - masculine singular2 Chronicles 7:10שְׂמֵחִים֙tojoyfulAdjective - masculine plural2 Chronicles 23:13שָׂמֵ֗חַtowere rejoicingAdjective - masculine singularEsther 5:9שָׂמֵ֖חַtofull of joyAdjective - masculine singularEsther 5:14שָׂמֵ֑חַtoand enjoy yourselfAdjective - masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowDeuteronomy 16:15
Aligned rows21
Books represented11
Deuteronomy11 Kings42 Kings12 Chronicles2Esther2Job1Psalms3Proverbs4Ecclesiastes1Isaiah1Amos1
Source forms
שָׂ֭מֵחַ2xśā·mē·aḥProverbs 15:13, Proverbs 17:22
שְׂמֵחִים֙2xśə·mê·ḥîm1 Kings 8:66, 2 Chronicles 7:10
הַשְּׂמֵחִ֥ים1xhaś·śə·mê·ḥîmJob 3:22
הַ֭שְּׂמֵחִים1xhaś·śə·mê·ḥîmProverbs 2:14
הַשְּׂמֵחִ֖ים1xhaś·śə·mê·ḥîmAmos 6:13
וּשְׂמֵחִ֖ים1xū·śə·mê·ḥîm1 Kings 1:40
וּשְׂמֵחִֽים׃1xū·śə·mê·ḥîm1 Kings 4:20
שָׂמֵ֔חַ1xśā·mê·aḥ2 Kings 11:14
Parsing patterns
Adjective - masculine singular9xDeuteronomy 16:15, 2 Kings 11:14, 2 Chronicles 23:13, Esther 5:9
Adjective - masculine plural4x1 Kings 1:45, 1 Kings 8:66, 2 Chronicles 7:10, Psalms 126:3
Article | Adjective - masculine plural3xJob 3:22, Proverbs 2:14, Amos 6:13
Adjective - masculine plural construct2xPsalms 35:26, Isaiah 24:7
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural2x1 Kings 1:40, 1 Kings 4:20
Adjective - feminine singular1xPsalms 113:9
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Joy that wells up from inner gladness and overflows into outward celebration and merriment
Strong'sH8056
Lexical occurrences20 versesWord forms1 form17 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkProverbs 15:13Source Gloss
blithe or gleeful
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Joy that wells up from inner gladness and overflows into outward celebration and merriment
blithe or gleeful BDB: glad Usage: (be) glad, joyful, (making) merry((-hearted), -ily), rejoice(-ing).
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 groups1Aligned forms17
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense1×
Imperfect1Chr 16:311×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
emotional state of joy or happiness, reflecting inner contentment
Showing 1 selected witness from 20 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
שָׂמֵחַ is built from this root:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.