Original Word: סָמַךְ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: camak
Pronunciation: sah-mak'
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-mak')
KJV: bear up, establish, (up-)hold, lay, lean, lie hard, put, rest self, set self, stand fast, stay (self), sustain
NASB: lay, laid, upheld, leans, sustain, sustains, sustained
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to prop (literally or figuratively)
2. reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)

bear up, establish, uphold, lay, lean, lie hard, put, rest self,

A primitive root; to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense) -- bear up, establish, (up-)hold, lay, lean, lie hard, put, rest self, set self, stand fast, stay (self), sustain.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to lean, lay, rest, support
NASB Translation
braced (1), holds (1), laid (6), laid siege (1), lay (17), lean (1), leans (3), relied (1), rested (1), steadfast (1), support (1), sustain (3), sustained (2), sustainer (1), sustains (3), upheld (4), uphold (1).

סָמַךְ₄₈ verb lean, lay, rest, support (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician in proper name Lzb^{317, 329}; Aramaic סְמַח, ; also Ethiopic () cause to lean upon, etc. Di³³⁵; Arabic is be high, ascend, raise, uplift, roof; —

Qal₄₁ Perfect3masculine singular ׳ס Deuteronomy 34:9; Ezekiel 24:2, וְסָמַךְ consecutive Amos 5:19 +; 3 feminine singular סָֽמְכָה Psalm 88:8, suffix סְמָכָ֑תְהוֺ Isaiah 59:16, סְמָכָ֑תְנִי Isaiah 63:5, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular וַיִּסְמֹךְ Leviticus 8:14; Numbers 27:23, suffix יִסְמְכֵ֫נִי Psalm 3:6, etc.; Imperative masculine singular suffix סָמְכֵנִי Psalm 119:116; Participle active סוֺמֵךְ Isaiah 63:5 3t.; plural construct סֹמְכֵי Ezekiel 30:6; Psalm 54:6; passive סָמוּךְ Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 112:8; plural סְמוּכִים Psalm 111:8; —

1. a. lean or lay hand upon (עַלֿ): Amos 5:19; elsewhere in sacred rite: on head of sacrifice victim, as those who share in sacrifice, Exodus 29:10,15,19; Leviticus 1:4 12t. Leviticus; Numbers 8:12 (all P), 2 Chronicles 29:23; so of Levites, presented to ׳י Numbers 8:10 (P); on head of blasphemer Leviticus 24:14 (P; as witnesses of his guilt); on head of Joshua in consecration (Moses subject) Numbers 27:18,23; Deuteronomy 34:9 (all P).

b. intransitive Psalm 88:8 thy wrath hath rested upon me (עָלַי); also סָמַךְ מֶלֶךְבָּֿבֶל אֶלֿ Ezekiel 24:2 hath leaned against, rested his weight upon, Jerusalem, i.e. invested (Toy), begun the siege of it.

2 support, uphold, sustain, only figurative: with 2 accusative Genesis 27:37 (J) with corn and must have I sustained him, provided sustenance for him, compare (of ׳י) Psalm 51:14; uphold Egypt Ezekiel 30:6; absolute Isaiah 63:5; especially of ׳י upholding, sustaining Isaiah 59:16; Isaiah 63:5; Psalm 3:6; Psalm 37:17; Psalm 37:24; Psalm 54:6 (on בְּ essentiae see Ges^{§ 119i}, בְּ above 7a), Psalm 119:116; Psalm 145:14; so passive participle Psalm 111:8 they are sustained, i.e. maintained (׳יs commands), סָמוּךְ לִבּוֺ) Psalm 112:8 his heart is sustained, firm, and so ׳יֵצֶר ס Isaiah 26:3.

Niph`al Perfect1singular נִסְמַ֫כְתִּי Psalm 71:6; 3plural נִסְמָ֑כוּ Isaiah 48:2; Imperfect יִסָּמֵךְ 2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 36:6, וַיִּסָּמֵךְ Judges 16:29; 3masculine plural וַיִּסָּֽמְכוּ2Chronicles 32:8; — reflexive support, or brace oneself, also with עַלֿ^{Judges 16:29} and he braced himself against (upon) them (the pillars); 2 Kings 18:21 (if) a man support himself on it (Egypt as a cracked reed) = Isaiah 36:6; on cheering words 2Chronicles 32:8; on God Isaiah 48:2; Psalm 71:6.

Pi`el Imperative masculine plural suffix + בְּ instr,: סַמְּכוּנִי Songs 2:5 sustain (refresh, revive) me with raisin-cakes.

Overview

The verb סָמַךְ is woven through the Old Testament narrative, poetry, law, and prophecy as the vocabulary of placing weight, bestowing authority, and receiving sustaining power. Its forty-eight occurrences trace a spectrum that moves from the physical act of leaning to the theological realities of substitutionary sacrifice, Spirit-empowered leadership, and the unfailing support God provides to His people.

Priestly Rituals: Sacrifice and Atonement

In Leviticus and Numbers the verb repeatedly describes the worshiper’s hand upon the sacrificial head (Leviticus 1:4; 3:2; 4:4; 16:21; Numbers 8:12). The worshiper “leans” with intent, identifying himself with the victim so “that it may be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him” (Leviticus 1:4). This acted prayer of substitution teaches that sin’s penalty is transferred and borne away by another life. The same verb is used when the high priest presses both hands on the live goat on the Day of Atonement, confessing the nation’s sins (Leviticus 16:21). The continuity of the term across these rites underscores the unified theology of atonement: true forgiveness requires a God-appointed substitute.

Ordination and Leadership Succession

Numbers 27:18–23 applies the same action to Joshua: “Lay your hand on him… you shall give him some of your authority.” The verb signals an authorized transfer—not of sin this time, but of Spirit-given leadership. Deuteronomy 34:9 records the fulfillment: “Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him.” In Numbers 8:10 likewise, the congregation lays hands on the Levites to commission them for tabernacle service. The consistency of language binds together sacrifice and service: the people whose guilt is transferred to a substitute become, in turn, ministers empowered by the same gesture.

Personal Reliance and Trust in God

The Psalms turn the word into devotional vocabulary. David sings, “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me” (Psalm 3:5). The Lord “upholds all who fall” (Psalm 145:14) and “sustains the humble” (Psalm 147:6). The righteous can pray, “Sustain me as You promised, that I may live” (Psalm 119:116). The repeated pattern is God’s faithfulness to bear the full weight of His servants’ lives—body, soul, and future—just as surely as the altar once bore their substitutes.

National and Royal Dependence

Historical narratives depict literal leaning to expose spiritual realities. The Israelite king depends upon an officer “on whose arm he leaned” (2 Kings 7:2, 17), Naaman’s master leans on him in the temple of Rimmon (2 Kings 5:18), and Samson leans on the pillars that support the Philistine hall (Judges 16:29). These concrete images of leaning on human or architectural support challenge the covenant people to consider where true strength lies. When Judah looks to Egypt, Isaiah mocks the covenant-breaking alliance as “that broken reed of a staff, which pierces the hand of anyone who leans on it” (Isaiah 36:6; cf. 2 Kings 18:21). Human props inevitably fail; only the Lord’s arm upholds without splintering.

Judgment Against False Supports

Proverbs warns that the violent man “brings shame to his father” (Proverbs 19:26) and that misuse of one’s weight can crush rather than sustain. Ezekiel 30:6 echoes the theme: allies who were expected to uphold will collapse. God’s judgments often arrive by removing illegitimate supports so that His people will return to the One who truly sustains.

Prophetic and Messianic Overtones

Isaiah laments that God “saw that there was no one to intervene” (Isaiah 59:16); the same root conveys that no one could be found on whom the nation might safely lean for righteousness. The implied solution is the Servant of the Lord who bears their iniquities (Isaiah 53)—the ultimate, divinely appointed Substitute anticipated by every worshiper who ever laid hands on a sacrificial head.

Ministry Applications

1. Worship: The ancient gesture calls believers to approach God through a better sacrifice, Jesus Christ, entrusting their guilt to Him.
2. Leadership: Pastors and elders commissioned today embody the Joshua narrative, receiving authority only as it is derived from God’s prior call and the congregation’s recognition.
3. Pastoral Care: Psalmic usage invites counseling grounded in God’s sustaining character—He alone upholds.
4. Missions: The laying on of hands in Acts 13:3 (New Testament echo) follows the Old Testament pattern, signaling identification, commissioning, and reliance on divine power rather than human ingenuity.
5. Discipleship: The contrast between leaning on Egypt and leaning on the Lord educates believers to discern false dependencies, cultivating exclusive trust in God’s promises.

The thread of סָמַךְ thus ties together altar, assembly, kingdom, and individual heart, teaching that life, ministry, and future rest securely only when their full weight is placed on the Lord who forever upholds His people.

בְּֽסֹמְכֵ֥י בסמכי וְ֠סָמְכוּ וְסָ֨מְכ֜וּ וְסָמְכ֧וּ וְסָמַ֣ךְ וְסָמַ֤ךְ וְסָמַ֨ךְ וְסָמַךְ֙ וְסָמַכְתָּ֥ וְסוֹמֵ֖ךְ וַֽיִּסְמְכ֞וּ וַיִּסְמְכ֥וּ וַיִּסְמֹ֧ךְ וַיִּסְמֹ֨ךְ וַיִּסָּמְכ֣וּ וַיִּסָּמֵ֖ךְ ויסמך ויסמכו וסומך וסמך וסמכו וסמכת יִסְמְכ֣וּ יִסְמְכֵֽנִי׃ יִסָּמֵ֥ךְ יסמך יסמכו יסמכני׃ נִסְמַ֬כְתִּי נִסְמָ֑כוּ נסמכו נסמכתי סְמַכְתִּ֑יו סְמָכָֽתְהוּ׃ סְמָכָֽתְנִי׃ סְמוּכִ֣ים סַמְּכ֙וּנִי֙ סָמ֔וּךְ סָמ֣וּךְ סָמְכֵ֣נִי סָמְכָ֣ה סָמַ֤ךְ סָמַ֥ךְ סֹמְכֵ֣י סוֹמֵ֑ךְ סוֹמֵ֣ךְ סוֹמֵ֥ךְ סומך סמוך סמוכים סמך סמכה סמכוני סמכי סמכני סמכתהו׃ סמכתיו סמכתני׃ תִסְמְכֵֽנִי׃ תסמכני׃ bə·sō·mə·ḵê besomeChei bəsōməḵê nis·mā·ḵū nis·maḵ·tî nisMachti nisMachu nismaḵtî nismāḵū sā·maḵ sā·mə·ḵāh sā·mə·ḵê·nî sā·mūḵ sam·mə·ḵū·nî saMach sāmaḵ sameChah sameCheni sāməḵāh sāməḵênî sammeChuni samməḵūnî saMuch sāmūḵ sə·mā·ḵā·ṯə·hū sə·mā·ḵā·ṯə·nî sə·maḵ·tîw sə·mū·ḵîm semaChatehu semaChateni semachTiv səmāḵāṯəhū səmāḵāṯənî səmaḵtîw semuChim səmūḵîm sō·mə·ḵê sō·w·mêḵ soMech someChei sōməḵê sōwmêḵ ṯis·mə·ḵê·nî tismeCheni ṯisməḵênî vaiyismeChu vaiyisMoch vaiyissaMech vaiyissameChu vesaMach vesamachTa veSameChu vesoMech way·yis·mə·ḵū way·yis·mōḵ way·yis·sā·mə·ḵū way·yis·sā·mêḵ wayyisməḵū wayyismōḵ wayyissāmêḵ wayyissāməḵū wə·sā·maḵ wə·sā·maḵ·tā wə·sā·mə·ḵū wə·sō·w·mêḵ wəsāmaḵ wəsāmaḵtā wəsāməḵū wəsōwmêḵ yis·mə·ḵê·nî yis·mə·ḵū yis·sā·mêḵ yismeCheni yismeChu yisməḵênî yisməḵū yissaMech yissāmêḵInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts