שָׁמַר
Shamar
To guard, to keep, to watch over, to observe
Shamar (שָׁמַר) is a Hebrew word meaning “to guard, to keep, to watch over, to observe,” pronounced “sha-MAR.” Derived from the root שׁ-מ-ר, shamar appears 470 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H8104).
| Hebrew | שָׁמַר |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Shamar |
| Pronunciation | sha-MAR |
| Meaning | To guard, to keep, to watch over, to observe |
| Root Letters | שׁ-מ-ר |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 470× |
| Key Verse | Numbers 6:24 |
| Strong's Number | H8104 |
| Category | Actions & Verbs |
The Priestly Blessing — the oldest known biblical text — includes the word shamar (שָׁמַר) in its opening line: 'The LORD bless you and yishmerecha (keep/guard you)' (Numbers 6:24). This word has been spoken over God's people for over three thousand years. Shamar first appears in Genesis 2:15, where God placed Adam in the garden 'to work it and to shamar it' — to serve and to guard it. Adam was the first shomer (guardian) — charged with protecting the sacred space where God walked. When he failed to shamar the garden from the serpent, everything unraveled. From that point forward, shamar becomes a word of both human responsibility and divine promise. God commands Israel to shamar His commandments (Deuteronomy 6:17) — to carefully guard and observe them as precious treasures. But God Himself is also the great Shomer: 'He who keeps (shomer) Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep' (Psalm 121:4). The word works in both directions: we guard what God entrusts to us, and God guards us with tireless, sleepless devotion. Understanding shamar reveals that the spiritual life is one of careful, vigilant, loving stewardship — guarding the garden of your heart, your relationships, and your calling with the same care God uses to guard you.
Key Bible Verse: Numbers 6:24
“The LORD bless you and keep (yishmerecha) you.”
What Is the Root of Shamar in Hebrew?
Shamar comes from the root שׁ-מ-ר (shin-mem-resh), meaning 'to guard, to keep, to watch, to observe.' The word carries the sense of vigilant, protective care. A 'shomer' is a guardian or watchman. 'Mishmeret' means a watch or guard duty.
What Does Shamar Mean in the Bible?
Shamar appears over 470 times in the Hebrew Bible — one of the most common verbs. It describes God guarding His people (Numbers 6:24, Psalm 121:4), humans keeping God's commandments (Deuteronomy 6:17), Adam's charge to guard Eden (Genesis 2:15), and watchmen guarding cities (Isaiah 62:6).
How Is Shamar Used in Modern Hebrew?
Shomrim (guardians) are volunteer security patrols in Jewish communities worldwide. The Shomer tradition extends to 'shmirat halashon' (guarding the tongue) — an ethical discipline of careful speech. Israel's intelligence agency Shin Bet derives from the letters shin-bet, abbreviating 'Sherut Bitachon' (Security Service).
How to Use Shamar in Prayer & Worship
Receive the ancient blessing: 'The LORD bless you and yishmerecha — keep you, guard you, watch over you.' Then ask God for the strength to shamar what He has entrusted to you — your faith, your family, your calling, and the garden of your heart.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shamar
How do you say “To guard” in Hebrew?
“To guard” in Hebrew is Shamar (שָׁמַר), pronounced “sha-MAR.” Shamar comes from the root שׁ-מ-ר (shin-mem-resh), meaning 'to guard, to keep, to watch, to observe.' The word carries the sense of vigilant, protective care. A 'shomer' is a guardian or watchman. 'Mishmeret' means a watch or guard duty.
What does Shamar mean in the Bible?
Shamar (שָׁמַר) means “To guard, to keep, to watch over, to observe” in Biblical Hebrew. Shamar appears over 470 times in the Hebrew Bible — one of the most common verbs. It describes God guarding His people (Numbers 6:24, Psalm 121:4), humans keeping God's commandments (Deuteronomy 6:17), Adam's charge to guard Eden (Genesis 2:15), and watchmen guarding cities (Isaiah 62:6).
How do you pronounce Shamar?
Shamar is pronounced “sha-MAR.” The word comes from the Hebrew root שׁ-מ-ר.
What does 'the LORD keep you' mean in Numbers 6:24?
When the priests blessed Israel with 'yishmerecha' (may He keep/guard you), they were invoking God's active, protective presence over every aspect of life — physical safety, spiritual integrity, relational peace. The word shamar implies vigilant, tireless watching. God's keeping is not passive insurance but active, moment-by-moment guarding of His beloved people.
How did Adam fail to shamar the garden?
God charged Adam to 'work and shamar (guard)' the garden (Genesis 2:15). When the serpent entered and deceived Eve, Adam failed his shamar duty — he didn't guard the sacred space from the intruder. This failure is the original human sin of neglect: not actively protecting what God entrusted. It reveals that shamar requires vigilance, not passivity.
What is a Shomer Shabbat?
Shomer Shabbat (שׁוֹמֵר שַׁבָּת) means 'Sabbath observer' — someone who carefully guards and keeps the Shabbat. The term uses shamar to describe the careful, loving attention given to observing Shabbat's rest. Being shomer Shabbat involves both positive commands (candle lighting, Kiddush) and refraining from work — a comprehensive act of guarding sacred time.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H8104: Shamar
- Bible Gateway — Numbers 6:24 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for שׁ-מ-ר
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