שׂוּם (sum)
sum
to set: make; fate; to set: put; to set: take; to set: accuse; to set: consider
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 474 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sum is a versatile action word that primarily means to put, place, or set something in a specific position. It covers physical acts like laying hands on an object or setting bread on a table, but it also describes establishing abstract realities such as laws, statutes, and nations. With nearly five hundred occurrences in the Old Testament, it appears frequently in foundational texts like Genesis and Exodus, where God sets boundaries, appoints leaders, and establishes covenants.
Its range extends beyond simple placement to include causing a result or transforming something into a new state. For instance, the text uses sum when describing how God makes a person a sign for others, indicating that the action brings about a lasting purpose or identity. It can also mean to fix one’s face toward someone, showing directed attention or intent.
A notable feature of this word is its use in legal and covenantal contexts, where it signifies establishing something permanent and authoritative. Translators often render it as "make" or "appoint," reflecting the sense of bringing a new order into existence. The verb captures both the physical act of positioning and the spiritual reality of ordaining a purpose.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sum captures the deliberate act of placing or setting something into a specific position. In Genesis, we see God physically putting man in the garden and Jacob setting up a stone pillar to mark a sacred encounter. This verb reminds us that our lives are not accidents but intentional placements. When you feel uncertain about your direction, remember that God sets boundaries and appoints purposes with care.
This word also carries the weight of appointment and establishment. God sets signs for protection, as He did for Cain, and establishes nations through lineage. It suggests that what is set down remains firm. Whether it is a physical object or a spiritual promise, sum implies stability and divine order. You can trust that the positions you hold in His story are held by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 474 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he put37×
- and/ you will put15×
- put14×
- and/ they put11×
- to/ put10×
- set10×
- and/ I will make10×
- I will make9×
- and/ he set8×
- to/ make7×
- and/ he put [it]7×
- and/ he made7×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/יָּ֥שֶׂם17×
- וַ/יָּ֤שֶׂם14×
- שָׂ֣ם11×
- וַ/יָּשִׂ֥ימוּ10×
- וַ/יָּ֨שֶׂם10×
- שָׂ֥ם9×
- וַ/יָּ֣שֶׂם9×
- שִׂ֥ימוּ8×
- וַ/יָּ֧שֶׂם8×
- שַׂ֣מְתִּי7×
- לָ/שׂ֥וּם6×
- וְ/שַׂמְתָּ֥6×
Key Verses
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Genesis 2:8
Yahweh God planted a garden eastward, in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed.
This verse shows God intentionally placing man in Eden, establishing his initial environment and purpose.
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Genesis 4:15
Yahweh said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” Yahweh appointed a sign for Cain, so that anyone finding him would not strike him.
Here the word indicates God appointing a protective sign for Cain, demonstrating His sovereign provision even in judgment.
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Genesis 28:18
Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on its top.
Jacob sets up the stone as a pillar to commemorate God's presence, marking a permanent memorial of divine encounter.
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Genesis 31:21
So he fled with all that he had. He rose up, passed over the River, and set his face toward the mountain of Gilead.
The phrase 'set his face' uses this verb to describe Jacob’s determined direction toward Gilead during his flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word sum mean?
How is sum different from other words for 'make' in Hebrew?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (474 verses across 35 books)
Genesis 43 verses
Yahweh God planted a garden eastward, in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed.
Genesis 4:15Yahweh said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” Yahweh appointed a sign…
Genesis 6:16You shall make a roof in the ship, and you shall finish it to a cubit upward. You shall set the door of the ship in its…
Genesis 9:23Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of…
Genesis 13:16I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then your…
Genesis 21:13I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your child.”
Genesis 21:14Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a container of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her…
Genesis 21:18Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him with your hand. For I will make him a great nation.”
Genesis 22:6Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. He took in his hand the fire and the knife.…
Genesis 22:9They came to the place which God had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound…
Genesis 24:2Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my…
Genesis 24:9The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
Genesis 24:33Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told my message.” Laban said, “Speak on.”
Genesis 24:47I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to…
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…
Genesis 28:11He came to a certain place, and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones of the…
Genesis 28:18Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a pillar, and…
Genesis 28:22then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be God’s house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give…
Genesis 30:36He set three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.
Genesis 30:41Whenever the stronger of the flock conceived, Jacob laid the rods in front of the eyes of the flock in the watering…
Genesis 30:42but when the flock were feeble, he didn’t put them in. So the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s.
Genesis 31:21So he fled with all that he had. He rose up, passed over the River, and set his face toward the mountain of Gilead.
Genesis 31:34Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. Laban felt around all the tent, but…
Genesis 31:37Now that you have felt around in all my stuff, what have you found of all your household stuff? Set it here before my…
Genesis 33:2He put the servants and their children in front, Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear.
Genesis 37:34Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days.
Genesis 40:15For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me…
Genesis 41:42Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen,…
Genesis 43:22We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food. We don’t know who put our money in our sacks.”
Genesis 43:31He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, “Serve the meal.”
Genesis 43:32They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the…
Genesis 44:1He commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each…
Genesis 44:2Put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, with his grain money.” He did according to the word…
Genesis 44:21You said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’
Genesis 45:7God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance.
Genesis 45:8So now it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and…
Genesis 45:9Hurry, and go up to my father, and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says, “God has made me lord of all Egypt.…
Genesis 46:3He said, “I am God, the God of your father. Don’t be afraid to go down into Egypt, for there I will make of you a great…
Genesis 47:6The land of Egypt is before you. Make your father and your brothers dwell in the best of the land. Let them dwell in…
Genesis 47:26Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth. Only the land of…
Genesis 47:29The time came near that Israel must die, and he called his son Joseph, and said to him, “If now I have found favor in…
Genesis 48:18Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”
Genesis 48:20He blessed them that day, saying, “Israel will bless in your name, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh’”…