שָׁמַר
Properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard ; generally, to protect , attend to , etc.
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does שָׁמַר (šāmar) mean in the Bible?
שָׁמַר (šāmar) is a Hebrew word meaning "properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard ; generally, to protect , attend to , etc.". properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.
Meaning
Protective vigilance—guarding through attentive observation; foundational to covenant obedience and divine watchfulness over creation.
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc. BDB: keep Usage: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 225×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 30×
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 1×
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Biblical Witnesses
Showing 8 of 469 occurrences in the biblical text.
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.