Lexical Summary samar: To bristle, to stand on end Original Word: סָמַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance stand up, tremble A primitive root; to be erect, i.e. Bristle as hair -- stand up, tremble. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to bristle up NASB Translation bristled (1), trembles (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs סָמַר verb bristle up (LagBN 106 compare Arabic  contract; in that case ׳ס for ׳שׂ); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular מִמַּחְדְּךָ בְשָׂרִי ׳ס Psalm 119:20 from fear of thee did my flesh bristle up, 'creep.' Pi`el Imperfect תְּסַמֵּר שַׂעֲרַת בְּשָׂרִי Job 4:15. Topical Lexicon Occurrences in Scripture Job 4:15 and Psalm 119:120 are the only two attestations of סָמַר in the Old Testament. Both describe a visceral, involuntary reaction in which one’s hair stands on end in the presence of overwhelming awe. Context and Imagery 1. Job 4:15 records Eliphaz recalling a mysterious encounter: “Then a spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body bristled”. The physical phenomenon underscores the eerie solemnity of a supernatural visitation. In both passages, the bristling of hair operates as a poetic meter for holy fear—a tangible testimony that the invisible, transcendent God has intersected the human realm. Theological Themes Fear of the Lord: Scripture repeatedly links genuine piety with trembling reverence (Exodus 20:18–20; Isaiah 66:2; Philippians 2:12). סָמַר captures that moment when inner reverence manifests outwardly. Revelation and Response: Whether through a spiritual manifestation (Job) or inscripturated Word (Psalm), divine disclosure demands a bodily response, confirming that worship involves the whole person (Deuteronomy 6:5; Romans 12:1). Holiness and Otherness: The sensation of hair standing erect announces the radical “otherness” of God. Much like Isaiah’s “Woe to me! I am ruined!” (Isaiah 6:5) or John’s collapse “as though dead” before the risen Christ (Revelation 1:17), סָמַר reverberates with the truth that the creator cannot be domesticated. Historical and Cultural Insight Ancient Near Eastern literature often associates bristling hair with encounters of terror or wonder, yet Scripture uniquely anchors the phenomenon in a covenantal relationship. The reaction is not merely fright but filial awe. In Job, Eliphaz misapplies the experience by drawing faulty conclusions, whereas Psalm 119 models a righteous orientation: holy fear that leads to obedience, not superstition. Practical Ministry Application Preaching and Teaching: Whenever God’s Word is proclaimed with clarity, congregations should expect conviction that reaches even the body (Acts 2:37). Encourage believers to welcome such moments rather than suppress them. Pastoral Care: Some saints recount intense physical sensations during prayer or worship. סָמַר supplies biblical language to normalize those experiences without sensationalism. Spiritual Discernment: Not every encounter that raises goosebumps is from the Lord (2 Corinthians 11:14). Testing spirits (1 John 4:1) prevents Eliphaz-like misinterpretations. Christological and Eschatological Connections At the Transfiguration the disciples “fell facedown to the ground, terrified” (Matthew 17:6). In Revelation, an eschatological vision provokes bowing and trembling across heaven and earth. סָמַר foreshadows that consummate moment when every knee shall bow, and every creature will feel the weight of divine glory (Philippians 2:10–11). Related Biblical Concepts • Trembling (Hebrew רָעַד, e.g., Habakkuk 3:16) Together these motifs attest that authentic encounter with God may unsettle, yet it ultimately anchors the heart in obedient faith and deepened worship. Forms and Transliterations סָמַ֣ר סמר תְּ֝סַמֵּ֗ר תסמר sā·mar saMar sāmar tə·sam·mêr tesamMer təsammêrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 4:15 HEB: פָּנַ֣י יַחֲלֹ֑ף תְּ֝סַמֵּ֗ר שַֽׂעֲרַ֥ת בְּשָׂרִֽי׃ NAS: The hair of my flesh bristled up. KJV: the hair of my flesh stood up: INT: my face passed bristled the hair of my flesh Psalm 119:120 2 Occurrences |
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