סָמַךְ
sa.makh
to support
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "סָמַךְ" (sa.makh) is defined as "to support." This verb is used 48 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in various contexts. In its most basic sense, "to support" means to hold or bear something up, often in a physical or literal sense. However, the range of usage for "סָמַךְ" extends beyond physical support. It can also imply providing sustenance, security, or comfort. For example, in a social context, "to support" might mean to provide for someone's needs or to offer emotional backing. This nuance suggests that the word encompasses a broader sense of care and assistance. The significance of "סָמַךְ" lies in its emphasis on the importance of aid and care in various relationships, whether familial, social, or spiritual. By examining its usage throughout the Bible, we can gain a deeper understanding of the value placed on supporting one another in times of need.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
48 total occurrences across the text
They brought near the male goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly; and they laid their hands on them.
2 Chronicles 32:8An arm of flesh is with him, but Yahweh our God is with us to help us and to fight our battles.” The people rested themselves on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Psalms 3:5I laid myself down and slept. I awakened; for Yahweh sustains me.
Psalms 37:17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Yahweh upholds the righteous.
Psalms 37:24Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for Yahweh holds him up with his hand.
Psalms 51:12Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalms 54:4Behold, God is my helper. The Lord is the one who sustains my soul.
Psalms 71:6I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb. I will always praise you.
Psalms 88:7Your wrath lies heavily on me. You have afflicted me with all your waves.
Psalms 111:8They are established forever and ever. They are done in truth and uprightness.
Psalms 112:8His heart is established. He will not be afraid in the end when he sees his adversaries.
Psalms 119:116Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Psalms 145:14Yahweh upholds all who fall, and raises up all those who are bowed down.
Song of Solomon 2:5Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples; for I am faint with love.
Isaiah 26:3You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 36:6Behold, you trust in the staff of this bruised reed, even in Egypt, which if a man leans on it, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
Isaiah 48:2for they call themselves citizens of the holy city, and rely on the God of Israel; Yahweh of Armies is his name.
Isaiah 59:16He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor. Therefore his own arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness sustained him.
Isaiah 63:5I looked, and there was no one to help; and I wondered that there was no one to uphold. Therefore my own arm brought salvation to me. My own wrath upheld me.
Isaiah 63:5I looked, and there was no one to help; and I wondered that there was no one to uphold. Therefore my own arm brought salvation to me. My own wrath upheld me.
Ezekiel 24:2“Son of man, write the name of the day, this same day. The king of Babylon drew close to Jerusalem this same day.
Ezekiel 30:6“ ‘Yahweh says: “They also who uphold Egypt will fall. The pride of her power will come down. They will fall by the sword in it from the tower of Seveneh,” says the Lord Yahweh.
Amos 5:19As if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him; Or he went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a snake bit him.
Genesis 27:37Isaac answered Esau, “Behold, I have made him your lord, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants. I have sustained him with grain and new wine. What then will I do for you, my son?”
Leviticus 8:18He presented the ram of the burnt offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram.
Exodus 29:10“You shall bring the bull before the Tent of Meeting; and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull.
Exodus 29:15“You shall also take the one ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram.
Exodus 29:19“You shall take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram.
Leviticus 1:4He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
Leviticus 3:2He shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood around on the altar.
Leviticus 3:8and he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it before the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar.
Leviticus 3:13He shall lay his hand on its head, and kill it before the Tent of Meeting; and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar.
Leviticus 4:4He shall bring the bull to the door of the Tent of Meeting before Yahweh; and he shall lay his hand on the head of the bull, and kill the bull before Yahweh.
Leviticus 4:15The elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before Yahweh; and the bull shall be killed before Yahweh.
Leviticus 4:24He shall lay his hand on the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before Yahweh. It is a sin offering.
Leviticus 4:29He shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill the sin offering in the place of burnt offering.
Leviticus 4:33He shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill it for a sin offering in the place where they kill the burnt offering.
Leviticus 8:14He brought the bull of the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering.
Leviticus 8:22He presented the other ram, the ram of consecration. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram.
Leviticus 16:21Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them on the head of the goat, and shall send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is ready.
Leviticus 24:14“Bring him who cursed out of the camp; and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him.
Numbers 8:10You shall present the Levites before Yahweh. The children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites,
Numbers 8:12“The Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and you shall offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to Yahweh, to make atonement for the Levites.
Numbers 27:18Yahweh said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.
Numbers 27:23He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as Yahweh spoke by Moses.
Deuteronomy 34:9Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. The children of Israel listened to him, and did as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Judges 16:29Samson took hold of the two middle pillars on which the house rested and leaned on them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left.
2 Kings 18:21Now, behold, you trust in the staff of this bruised reed, even in Egypt. If a man leans on it, it will go into his hand, and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust on him.