מַסְמֵר
𐤌𐤎𐤌𐤓
maçmêr
H4548 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A pointed implement made of metal, wood, or another hard material, commonly used as a nail, pin, or peg to fasten objects or to affix something to another surface. In typical biblical contexts, refers to a nail or peg utilized in construction, ritual settings, or the production of objects. Can also indicate an implement that stands out or is set up to hold weight, such as a tent peg or a fixture for hanging items. The term can be metaphorically used for something fixed or established.
Semantic Range
nail (for construction), peg (for tents or furniture), pin, goad, fastener, metaphorical foundation or fixture
Root / Etymology
Root: סמר; the root סמר fundamentally means 'to bristle' or 'to stand erect/stiff,' describing objects that project or stand out. מַסְמֵר derives from this root with a ma- nominal prefix, denoting an object that stands out or protrudes — thus, a nail or peg. Variations in vocalization (masmer, mismer, masmerah, etc.) reflect different forms and possibly gender distinctions (masculine/feminine).
Historical & Contextual Notes
מַסְמֵר appears primarily in texts concerning construction, such as temple building or making of tabernacle furnishings, where it denotes the physical tool used to fasten or support. The word is not limited to iron or metal (as later 'nail' in English), as wood and bronze variants would have existed in ancient Israelite material culture. In Ecclesiastes 12:11, the term is used metaphorically for words of wisdom, likened to nails or goads that set truth firmly. The feminine forms (מַסְמְרָה, מִסְמְרָה, מַשְׂמְרָה) show variation in late texts, such as in Ecclesiastes, possibly reflecting dialectical diversity or scribal transmission. English translations consistently render the word as 'nail' or 'peg,' but these may underrepresent its use for pins, pegs, goads, or similar fastening devices across ancient contexts. The concept is distinct from other words for implements like יָתֵד (tent peg, stake), which more specifically refers to larger or ground-driven pegs. The development from the root 'to bristle' underscores the idea of prominence or projection rather than a fixed shape or size.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or מִסְמֵר; also (feminine) מַסְמְרָה; or מִסְמְרָה; or even מַשְׂמְרָה; (Ecclesiastes 12:11), from סָמַר; a peg (as bristling from the surface); nail.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סמר (s-m-r) — to bristle, to stand erect, to project
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4930 | מַשְׂמְרָה | and like pointed pegs |
| H5568 | סָמַר | bristling |
| H5569 | סָמָר | bristling |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4548-04 |
בְ/מַסְמְרִ֖ים | vemasemerim | HR/Ncbpa |
with nails | with projecting pegs | 1 |
H4548-01 |
בְּ/מַסְמְר֧וֹת | bemasemerot | HR/Ncbpa |
with nails | with projecting pegs | 1 |
H4548-02 |
לַֽ/מִּסְמְרִ֞ים | lamisemerim | HRd/Ncbpa |
for-the-nails | to the projecting-pegs | 1 |
H4548-03 |
לְ/מִסְמְר֥וֹת | lemisemerot | HR/Ncbpa |
for-the-nails | for projecting pegs | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4548-04 |
Isaiah 41:7 | בְ/מַסְמְרִ֖ים | vemasemerim | HR/Ncbpa |
with nails | with projecting pegs |
H4548-01 |
Jeremiah 10:4 | בְּ/מַסְמְר֧וֹת | bemasemerot | HR/Ncbpa |
with nails | with projecting pegs |
H4548-02 |
1 Chronicles 22:3 | לַֽ/מִּסְמְרִ֞ים | lamisemerim | HRd/Ncbpa |
for-the-nails | to the projecting-pegs |
H4548-03 |
2 Chronicles 3:9 | לְ/מִסְמְר֥וֹת | lemisemerot | HR/Ncbpa |
for-the-nails | for projecting pegs |