מַשְׂמְרָה (mas.m.rah)
mas.m.rah
nail
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun masmerah refers to a nail, specifically one used in construction or carpentry. In the Hebrew Bible, this term appears only once, in Ecclesiastes 12:11, where it serves as part of a metaphor for wise teaching.
Here, the words of the wise are compared to goads driven by masters of assemblies. The image suggests that effective instruction is not merely decorative but functional and penetrating. Just as a nail secures materials firmly in place, these teachings hold truth securely within the listener’s mind and life. The singular usage emphasizes the precision and impact of such guidance.
This rare occurrence highlights how everyday objects illustrate spiritual realities. The nail represents stability and purposeful force, qualities expected from those who impart wisdom. Translators typically render it simply as "nail," preserving the concrete nature of the original metaphor without adding interpretive layers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word masmerah simply means a nail, appearing just once in Scripture within Ecclesiastes 12:11. Here, it describes how wise teachings function like well-fastened nails driven by masters of assemblies. This image moves beyond abstract ideas to show that true wisdom has weight and permanence. It is not loose or easily shaken; it holds firm.
For your daily life, this offers a quiet comfort. The truths you learn from God’s Word are meant to secure your heart against the shifting winds of culture or personal doubt. Like a nail in carpentry, these insights provide structural stability. They anchor your spirit so that when challenges arise, your faith remains fixed and reliable.
This single verse reminds us that effective teaching is functional. It does not just decorate the mind but penetrates deeply to create lasting change. You can trust that the guidance found in Scripture is designed to stay put, offering a steady foundation for your journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [are] like/ nails1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּֽ/כְ/מַשְׂמְר֥וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 12:11
The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
This verse uses the nail metaphor to show that wise words are driven deep into memory and life, providing permanent stability rather than temporary decoration.