שָׁמַר (sha.mar)
sha.mar
to keep: obey
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 387 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb shamar means to guard, keep, or observe with careful attention. Its root imagery suggests hedging something in, as one might protect a garden with thorns, implying active vigilance rather than passive holding. In Scripture, this word covers a wide range of duties, from watching over physical property and livestock to preserving promises and laws. It appears frequently in Deuteronomy and the Psalms, where it often describes the faithful maintenance of God’s commands.
A key distinction lies in its use for both external protection and internal obedience. While it can mean simply keeping an object safe, as when Adam was placed in Eden to guard it (Genesis 2:15), it equally signifies moral fidelity. The sources highlight its application to keeping covenants, sabbaths, and vows, showing that true "keeping" involves active compliance with divine instructions. This dual sense links physical safety with spiritual faithfulness.
The word carries significant theological weight in the Psalms, where God is frequently described as the one who keeps or guards His people from harm (Psalm 121:7). This reciprocal relationship—humans keeping God’s statutes and God keeping the believers—forms a central theme of covenant life. Translators often render it as "keep" or "observe," capturing the steady, watchful care that defines this biblical concept.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shamar paints a picture of active, watchful care. It is not about passive storage but vigilant protection, like a shepherd guarding a flock or a guard standing at a gate. In Genesis 2:15, Adam was placed in Eden to keep it, showing that stewardship requires attention and effort. This same energy applies to our spiritual lives, where keeping God’s commands is an act of love and trust rather than mere duty.
We also find comfort in the truth that God keeps us. Psalm 121:7 reminds us that He guards our coming and going. When we feel vulnerable or uncertain, this promise offers stability. It invites us to rest in His faithful presence, knowing that our safety and spiritual growth depend on His unwavering watchfulness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 387 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ you will keep25×
- to/ keep22×
- you will keep19×
- take heed18×
- keep12×
- and/ to/ keep10×
- and/ you will take care9×
- and/ they will keep9×
- [the] keepers of9×
- to/ take care8×
- take care8×
- you have kept6×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הִשָּׁ֣מֶר10×
- שֹׁמֵ֣ר9×
- לִ/שְׁמֹ֥ר8×
- שֹׁמֵ֥ר7×
- שׁוֹמֵ֣ר6×
- שֹׁמֵ֤ר6×
- לִ/שְׁמֹ֤ר6×
- שֹׁמְרֵ֖י5×
- וּ/שְׁמַרְתֶּם֙5×
- וּ/לְ/שֹׁמְרֵ֥י5×
- תִּשְׁמֹֽר\׃4×
- שֹׁמְרֵ֥י4×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 2:15
Yahweh God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.
This verse establishes the foundational meaning of shamar as active stewardship and care for what God has entrusted to us.
-
Genesis 17:9
God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations.
Here, keeping the covenant is linked to multi-generational faithfulness, showing that obedience is a lasting commitment.
-
Exodus 19:5
Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine;
This promise connects keeping God’s voice with being His special possession, highlighting the relational value of obedience.
-
Genesis 28:15
Behold, I am with you, and will keep you, wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not leave you until I have done that which I have spoken of to you.”
God’s personal pledge to Jacob demonstrates that shamar describes divine protection during times of uncertainty and travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does shamar mean in the Bible?
How is shamar different from other words for keeping?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (387 verses across 29 books)
Genesis 15 verses
Yahweh God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.
Genesis 3:24So he drove out the man; and he placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned…
Genesis 4:9Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Genesis 17:9God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their…
Genesis 17:10This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you. Every male among you shall…
Genesis 18:19For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the…
Genesis 24:6Abraham said to him, “Beware that you don’t bring my son there again.
Genesis 26:5because Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my requirements, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
Genesis 28:15Behold, I am with you, and will keep you, wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not…
Genesis 28:20Jacob vowed a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to…
Genesis 30:31Laban said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I…
Genesis 31:24God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Be careful that you don’t speak to Jacob either…
Genesis 31:29It is in the power of my hand to hurt you, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that…
Genesis 37:11His brothers envied him, but his father kept this saying in mind.
Genesis 41:35Let them gather all the food of these good years that come, and store grain under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the…