תָּמַךְ (ta.makh)
ta.makh
to grasp
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb tamakh means to grasp or hold fast, conveying a sense of firm support and stability. In the Old Testament, it appears most frequently in Proverbs, Isaiah, and Psalms, often describing God’s role as a sustainer who upholds people in their weakness. The word suggests an active, reliable grip rather than a passive state.
A striking example occurs in Isaiah 41:10, where God promises to uphold and strengthen the fearful with His righteous right hand. This usage highlights divine faithfulness in times of distress. In Proverbs, the term describes how wise words can support or sustain a person’s spirit, showing that human encouragement also reflects this sustaining power.
The Niphal form appears in Hosea 13:15, where it describes being seized by the cords of sin. This passive construction contrasts sharply with the active support found elsewhere, illustrating how tamakh can describe both liberation through God’s hold and captivity under sin’s grip. The word’s range captures the tension between human vulnerability and divine strength.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tamakh describes a firm, active grip that provides stability when things feel unstable. In Isaiah 41:10, God uses this language to promise He will uphold you with His righteous right hand. This is not a passive observation but an active holding fast during times of fear or dismay. It reminds us that our strength does not come from our own endurance alone but from the reliable support of the Creator.
This concept extends beyond divine intervention into daily life and wisdom. Proverbs 3:18 speaks of wisdom as a tree of life for those who lay hold of her. Retaining wise words brings stability to the spirit, much like a firm hand prevents a fall. Whether in spiritual trials or practical decisions, holding fast to truth provides the security we need.
Even when human support fails, as seen in Proverbs 28:17 where no one supports a guilty man, the principle remains clear: true stability comes from what we hold onto and who holds us. We are invited to rest in the knowledge that God’s grip is never weak or slipping.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ a holder of2×
- they will attain1×
- they take hold of [you]1×
- they take hold of1×
- they supported1×
- they have held firm1×
- they grasp1×
- she lays hold of1×
- people support1×
- let it hold fast to1×
- he will be held1×
- he will attain1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִתְמֹֽכוּ\׃2×
- יִתְמְכוּ\־2×
- וְ/תוֹמֵ֥ךְ2×
- תּוֹמִ֥יךְ1×
- תָּמֹ֣ךְ1×
- תָּֽמְכ֣וּ1×
- תָּ֣מְכוּ1×
- תִּתְמֹ֣ךְ1×
- תְּמַכְתִּ֖י/ךָ1×
- מִ/תְּמֹ֣ךְ1×
- יִתָּמֵֽךְ\׃1×
- יִתְמֹ֥ךְ1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 41:10
Don’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.
This verse uses the active sense of upholding to show God's personal strength sustaining a fearful person.
-
Proverbs 3:18
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
Here the word describes actively retaining wisdom, which results in life and stability for the believer.
-
Exodus 17:12
But 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.
Aaron and Hur physically held up Moses' hands, illustrating how human support enables spiritual victory.
-
Proverbs 5:22
The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly.
The passive sense appears here as sin's cords hold the wicked man, showing the word's range includes binding forces.