מַשְׂמְרָה
𐤌𐤔𐤌𐤓𐤄
masmᵉrâh
H4930 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A peg or nail, typically fashioned from metal or wood, used to fasten objects together, secure coverings, or hang items. Primarily denotes a physical fastener driven into wood, fabric, or masonry, such as those used in construction, tentmaking, or sanctuary furnishings. The term can also refer more generally to something that fixes or secures objects in a stable position within a structure or household.
Semantic Range
nail, peg, fastening pin, tent stake, fastener
Root / Etymology
From the root סמר (smr), meaning 'to be pointed' or 'to be sharp.' מַשְׂמְרָה is the feminine derivative form from the more common masculine noun מַסְמֵר (masmēr, 'nail, peg'), adopting the -ָה feminine ending but retaining the core meaning. The root sense of 'being pointed' informs the noun's function as a sharp-pointed fastener.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מַשְׂמְרָה is a relatively rare term in Biblical Hebrew, appearing in contexts involving domestic or cultic objects, and is closely related in meaning to מַסְמֵר. In post-biblical and later Hebrew, forms of this word continued to denote objects used to fasten, primarily nails or pegs. English translations uniformly render it as 'nail' or 'peg,' but the nuance includes both temporary (e.g., tent peg) and permanent (e.g., construction nail) fasteners. In prophetic or poetic texts, it may be used metaphorically for stability or permanence. It is distinct from other fasteners such as יָתֵד (yātēd, 'tent peg'), which often carries specific associations with tents and transitory dwellings. There is no theologically charged usage of מַשְׂמְרָה, and later religious or ceremonial associations derive only from its practical function in sanctuary furnishings (e.g., Exodus 27:19).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
for מַסְמֵר fem.; a peg; nail.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סמר (s-m-r) — to be pointed, to be sharp
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4548 | מַסְמֵר | with projecting pegs |
| H5568 | סָמַר | bristling |
| H5569 | סָמָר | bristling |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4930-01 |
וּֽ/כְ/מַשְׂמְר֥וֹת | ukhemasemerot | HC/R/Ncbpa |
and like nails | and like pointed pegs | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4930-01 |
Ecclesiastes 12:11 | וּֽ/כְ/מַשְׂמְר֥וֹת | ukhemasemerot | HC/R/Ncbpa |
and like nails | and like pointed pegs |