יָמַשׁ
𐤉𐤌𐤔
yâmash
H3237 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To feel or touch through physical contact, especially by hand; to grope or search by feeling, often in contexts of darkness or uncertainty, both literal and figurative. The term denotes tactile exploration as well as the physical act of coming into contact with an object, surface, or person.
Semantic Range
to feel with the hand, to touch physically, to grope in darkness or uncertainty, to search or investigate by touch, to experience something through tactile perception
Root / Etymology
Root: ימש. The verb יָמַשׁ (yâmash) derives from the root ימש, which relates to the sense of touch or feeling. The root conveys the idea of tactile perception or testing by hand. The Hebrew formation fits the typology of simple verbs describing basic sensory actions.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, יָמַשׁ is used in both literal and figurative contexts. Literally, it describes someone reaching out to feel or touch something, often in darkness (as in Exodus 10:21, describing darkness that could 'be felt') or when sight is absent (e.g. Genesis 27:12, where Jacob fears his father will 'feel' him). Figuratively, it is used for groping in confusion or desperation (Deuteronomy 28:29, Job 5:14, Isaiah 59:10), highlighting the lack of guidance or clarity—often describing the disorientation of those without vision or understanding. English translations often render יָמַשׁ as 'feel,' 'touch,' or 'grope,' but sometimes obscure the vividness of the tactile imagery present in the Hebrew. This verb is distinct from נָגַע (naga‘, 'to touch, reach, strike'), which is broader and can also denote general contact, affliction, or even plague, and also from מָשַׁשׁ (māshash), which is a more common synonym for 'to grope' and is sometimes used interchangeably with יָמַשׁ. Over time, the basic sense of tactile perception remains stable across biblical usage, but the metaphorical extensions become prominent in prophetic literature when describing uncertainty or spiritual blindness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to touch; feel.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ימש (y-m-sh) — to feel, to touch, to grope
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3237-01 |
ו/הימש/ני | vhymshny | HC/Vhv2ms/Sp1cs |
that I may feel | make contact with me | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3237-01 |
Judges 16:26 | ו/הימש/ני | vhymshny | HC/Vhv2ms/Sp1cs |
that I may feel | make contact with me |