What does שָׁמַר · עָשָׂה mean in the Bible?
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Hebrew · H8104, H6213
שָׁמַר וְעָשָׂה
Properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard ; generally, to protect , attend to , etc. · to do or make , in the broadest sense and widest application
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
שָׁמַרH8104properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard ; generally, to protect , attend to , etc.
Pronunciationšāmar
Protective vigilance—guarding through attentive observation; foundational to covenant obedience and divine watchfulness over creation.
Open lexicon entry →עָשָׂהH6213to do or make , in the broadest sense and widest application
Pronunciationasah
Broadest action verb in Hebrew; encompasses creation, covenant-making, and moral conduct—God's primary verb for purposeful activity.
Open lexicon entry →What does שָׁמַר וְעָשָׂה (shamar ve-asah) mean in the Bible?
שָׁמַר · עָשָׂה is a Hebrew phrase meaning "To keep and do, guard and perform.".
Full entry for שָׁמַר וְעָשָׂה (H8104, H6213) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H8104, H6213?
H8104, H6213 is connected to 3,109 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. To keep and do, guard and perform.
Source Gloss
To keep and do, guard and perform.
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 groups3Aligned forms256
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense225×
Participle active1Chr 9:19 · 1Chr 12:30 · 1Kgs 8:23 · 1Sam 1:12 · 1Sam 17:20 · 1Sam 17:22 · 1Sam 28:2 · 2Chr 6:14 · 2Chr 13:11 · 2Chr 34:9 · 2Chr 34:22 · 2Kgs 9:14 · 2Kgs 12:10 · 2Kgs 22:4 · 2Kgs 22:14 · 2Kgs 23:473×
Imperfect1Chr 22:13 · 1Kgs 9:4 · 2Chr 7:17 · Deut 19:9 · Deut 23:24 · Deut 28:9 · Deut 28:58 · Exod 23:15 · Exod 34:18 · Gen 17:9 · Isa 42:20 · Job 14:16 · Job 22:15 · Job 39:1 · Josh 1:8 · Prov 2:2069×
Perfect2Chr 34:21 · Amos 2:4 · Deut 33:9 · Ezek 20:21 · Ezek 44:15 · Ezek 48:11 · Jer 8:7 · Jer 16:11 · Judg 2:22 · Num 9:23 · Ps 78:10 · Ps 78:56 · Ps 99:7 · Ps 119:136 · Ps 119:158 · 1Chr 10:1349×
Sequential imperfect1Kgs 8:25 · 1Kgs 20:39 · 2Chr 6:16 · Deut 12:28 · Eccl 4:17 · Eccl 8:2 · Eccl 12:13 · Exod 34:11 · Hos 12:7 · Job 2:6 · Mic 7:5 · Prov 4:4 · Prov 7:1 · Prov 7:2 · Ps 37:37 · 1Chr 28:822×
Infinitive absoluteDeut 5:12 · Deut 6:17 · Deut 11:22 · Deut 16:1 · Deut 27:15×
CohortativePs 39:2 · Ps 59:103×
Participle passive1Sam 9:24 · Eccl 5:122×
Infinitive constructDeut 8:111×
JussiveEzek 20:181×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action30×
Sequential imperfect1Sam 19:2 · 2Kgs 6:9 · Deut 4:9 · Deut 6:12 · Deut 8:11 · Deut 12:13 · Deut 12:19 · Deut 12:30 · Deut 15:9 · Deut 24:8 · Exod 10:28 · Exod 23:21 · Exod 34:12 · Gen 24:6 · Gen 31:24 · Gen 31:2924×
Perfect1Sam 21:5 · Ps 37:28 · 2Sam 20:10 · Hos 12:144×
ImperfectExod 23:13 · Judg 13:132×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action1×
Participle activeJonah 2:91×
Word Origins
שָׁמַר וְעָשָׂה is a primitive root - no further derivation.