5568. samar

Lexicon

samar: To bristle, to stand on end

Original Word: סָמַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: camar
Pronunciation: sah-MAHR
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-mar')
Definition: To bristle, to stand on end
Meaning: to be erect, bristle as hair

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 Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to bristle up
NASB Translation
bristled (1), trembles (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

סָמַר verb bristle up (Lag^{BN 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

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The corresponding Greek entry in Strong's Concordance is G5425 (φρίσσω, phrissō), which similarly means to shudder or to bristle, often used in the context of fear or awe. This Greek term appears in James 2:19, where it describes the reaction of demons to the knowledge of God: "You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." (BSB). The parallel between סָמַר and φρίσσω underscores the universal human experience of encountering the divine or the terrifying, transcending linguistic and cultural boundaries.

Usage: This verb is used in the context of hair standing on end, often as a reaction to fear or awe.

Context: The Hebrew verb סָמַר (samar) is a primitive root that conveys the idea of hair standing on end, akin to the bristling of hair. This term is used to describe a physical reaction often associated with fear, terror, or awe. The imagery evoked by this word is one of a visceral, involuntary response to a powerful stimulus, whether it be a divine encounter or a terrifying experience.

In the Hebrew Bible, סָמַר is used in Job 4:15, where it describes the reaction of Eliphaz during a night vision: "Then a spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end." (BSB). This passage illustrates the profound impact of a supernatural encounter, where the physical response of bristling hair underscores the intensity of the moment.

The use of סָמַר in biblical literature highlights the human experience of encountering the divine or the unknown, where the physical manifestation of fear or awe serves as a testament to the power and majesty of the experience. This term, though not frequently used, provides a vivid depiction of the intersection between the physical and the spiritual realms.

Forms and Transliterations

סָמַ֣ר סמר תְּ֝סַמֵּ֗ר תסמר sā·mar saMar sāmar tə·sam·mêr tesamMer təsammêr

Englishman'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
HEB: סָמַ֣ר מִפַּחְדְּךָ֣ בְשָׂרִ֑י
NAS: My flesh trembles for fear
KJV: My flesh trembleth for fear
INT: trembles fear my flesh

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5568
2 Occurrences

sā·mar — 1 Occ.
tə·sam·mêr — 1 Occ.