We have gone over the Hebrew word ‘shomer’ in a previous Word Nerd Wednesday post. Today we are going to talk about its shoresh or root word, shamar. You’ll see שָׁמַר (shamar) throughout the Hebrew Bible, but in English it often gets reduced to the soft word “keep.” In Hebrew, though, it means so much more.
“The Lord bless you and keep you.” — Numbers 6:24
The word “keep” here is shamar. It isn’t a passive word but rather it’s about active guarding, watching over, and protecting what is precious.
1. Shamar Means to Guard with Care
Shamar carries the sense of putting a protective hedge around something valuable. Think of a shepherd watching over sheep or a watchman standing on a wall.
It’s alert and intentional.
2. Shamar Was Humanity’s First Commission
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” — Genesis 2:15
Before commandments or rituals, Adam was told to shamar. This was priestly language long before there were priests. Humanity’s first assignment was to tend and protect what God entrusted.
3. God Shamar His People
“He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” — Psalm 121:4
God doesn’t love from a distance. He watches, protects, and surrounds His people. It’s the careful love of a shepherd who never looks away.
4. We Are Called to Shamar Too
Shamar isn’t just something God does. It’s something we’re called into. We shamar His Word by treasuring and guarding it. We shamar our hearts by being careful about what we allow in. We shamar our relationships by tending to them with care.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23
My Final Thoughts
Shamar is not a soft, passive word. It’s fierce, protective, and rooted in love. God shamar’s us with the kind of attentiveness that never sleeps, and He calls us to do the same with what He’s entrusted to us.
When we understand shamar, Scripture’s language comes alive with strength and intimacy.
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Very true. And we are commanded to shamar the Sabbath day, too. 😊