סָמַךְ (sa.makh)
sa.makh
to support
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 41 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb samakh conveys the physical act of leaning or resting against something for support, as when a person leans their hand on a wall in Isaiah 36:6. This concrete image underpins its broader meaning of sustaining or upholding. In Leviticus, priests lay their hands on sacrificial animals, transferring identity through this gesture of contact and reliance (Leviticus 1:4; 3:2). The word captures both the physical weight of dependence and the spiritual act of entrusting oneself to another.
Its range extends from literal support to figurative sustenance. God is described as upholding the righteous in Psalm 37:24, ensuring they do not fall when their feet slip. Conversely, human anger or wrath can rest heavily upon someone, as in Psalm 88:7. The term also appears in ritual contexts where laying on of hands signifies ordination or dedication, such as Moses commissioning Joshua in Numbers 27:18-23.
Samakh highlights the interdependence inherent in both physical and spiritual life. Whether describing a warrior leaning on an enemy’s spear or a believer relying on divine strength, the word emphasizes stability through connection. It reminds readers that support is often received through tangible acts of presence and care, reflecting God’s provision in everyday relationships.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word samakh describes the physical act of leaning or resting against something for support. It captures the weight of dependence, whether a person leans on a wall or a priest lays hands on a sacrifice. This imagery reminds us that stability often comes through tangible connection and contact with another.
In our daily lives, we may feel like Samson holding up pillars or Israel trusting in fragile allies. Yet the text points to a deeper reality: God is the one who upholds the righteous so they do not fall when their feet slip. We are invited to rest our burdens on His strength rather than relying on our own limited power.
This word encourages us to seek support in community and divine grace. It acknowledges our need for others while pointing to the ultimate source of stability. By leaning on God, we find a foundation that does not break under pressure.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 41 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he will lean9×
- sustain/ me2×
- he will support himself2×
- and/ they will lean2×
- and/ they will lay2×
- and/ they leaned2×
- and/ he will lay2×
- they will lay1×
- they have supported themselves1×
- it sustained/ me1×
- it sustained/ him1×
- he had laid1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/סָמַ֤ךְ6×
- וְ/סָמַ֨ךְ3×
- יִסָּמֵ֥ךְ2×
- וַֽ/יִּסְמְכ֞וּ2×
- וְ/סָמַךְ֙2×
- וְ/סָמְכ֧וּ2×
- סוֹמֵ֥ךְ1×
- סוֹמֵ֣ךְ1×
- סוֹמֵ֑ךְ1×
- סָמַ֥ךְ1×
- סָמְכֵ֣/נִי1×
- סָמ֣וּךְ1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 16:21
Aaron 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.
Here the high priest lays both hands on the goat, transferring the people's sins and showing how physical contact signifies spiritual burden-bearing.
-
Numbers 27:23
He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as Yahweh spoke by Moses.
Moses laying hands on Joshua demonstrates how this gesture commissions leadership and transfers authority through visible support.
-
Judges 16:29
Samson 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.
Samson leaning on the pillars illustrates the physical weight of dependence, even when that reliance leads to destruction rather than salvation.