תָּמַךְ
ta.makh
to grasp
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# Tamakh (תָּמַךְ): Grasping and Support in Biblical Hebrew The Hebrew verb *tamakh* appears twenty-one times throughout the Bible with the primary meaning "to grasp." This term conveys the physical action of taking hold of something or someone, establishing direct manual contact. The word functions as a straightforward descriptor of the motor act itself, without inherent moral or spiritual overtones in its basic definition. Given its limited occurrences (21 instances), *tamakh* occupies a modest but consistent place in biblical vocabulary. Its singular core meaning—"to grasp"—suggests the word maintained semantic stability across its uses rather than developing multiple distinct senses. This linguistic economy makes it a dependable term for describing concrete physical interaction, whether in narrative action, legal description, or metaphorical contexts where grasping serves as an image for other forms of holding or maintaining control. The significance of *tamakh* lies in its foundational role in expressing physical contact and control in biblical texts. While not among the most frequently used verbs, its consistent application demonstrates that biblical authors required precise vocabulary to distinguish the specific action of grasping from related concepts. The word's narrow semantic range and modest frequency suggest it was deployed deliberately when authors needed to emphasize the direct, tactile act of taking hold.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
21 total occurrences across the text
“But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.
Psalms 16:5Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure.
Psalms 17:5My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
Psalms 41:12As for me, you uphold me in my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.
Psalms 63:8My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up.
Proverbs 5:5Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol.
Proverbs 3:18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
Proverbs 4:4He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
Proverbs 5:22The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly.
Proverbs 11:16A gracious woman obtains honor, but violent men obtain riches.
Proverbs 11:16A gracious woman obtains honor, but violent men obtain riches.
Proverbs 28:17A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him.
Proverbs 29:23A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
Isaiah 33:15He who walks righteously and speaks blamelessly, he who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from looking at evil—
Isaiah 41:10Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 42:1“Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.
Amos 1:5I will break the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven, and him who holds the scepter from the house of Eden; and the people of Syria shall go into captivity to Kir,” says Yahweh.
Amos 1:8I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; and I will turn my hand against Ekron; and the remnant of the Philistines will perish,” says the Lord Yahweh.
Proverbs 31:19She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
Genesis 48:17When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. He held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.
Exodus 17:12But Moses’ hands were heavy; so they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset.