סְמַכְיָהוּ
𐤎𐤌𐤊𐤉𐤄𐤅
Semakheyahu
H5565 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Personal name meaning 'YHWH has supported' or 'Yahweh upholds.' Used as the name of several individuals in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within genealogical or administrative lists. The name reflects trust in divine support or sustaining.
Semantic Range
supported by YHWH, YHWH upholds, YHWH has sustained; personal (theophoric) name referring to divine support or aid
Root / Etymology
Formed from the verb סָמַךְ (to support, sustain, uphold) joined with the theophoric suffix יָהוּ, a shortened form of יְהוָה (YHWH), indicating 'YHWH has supported.' Root ס־מ־ך denotes the action of supporting or propping up; the theophoric element modifies the sense to specify divine agency.
Historical & Contextual Notes
סְמַכְיָהוּ appears as the personal name of several Israelite individuals, especially in genealogical sections (e.g., 1 Chronicles 9:14; Nehemiah 11:15). The adaptation of the theophoric suffix יָהוּ reflects common Israelite naming practices from the First Temple period, marking personal piety or aspiration for divine help. English translations sometimes render this as 'Semachiah' or 'Semakiah,' and earlier versions occasionally paraphrased the name's meaning, but in the biblical context it functions simply as a personal name, not a title or pronouncement. The name is structurally similar to other Hebrew personal names that include the יָהוּ or יָה suffix to invoke or attribute actions to Israel's deity. The use is not confined to a particular region or social class in biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from סָמַךְ and יָהּ; supported of Jah; Semakjah, an Israelite; Semachiah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סמך (s-m-k) — support, uphold, sustain
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3253 | יִסְמַכְיָהוּ | and Yahweh-will-sustain |
| H5564 | סָמַךְ | among supporters of |
| H8063 | שְׂמִיכָה | in the support-cloth |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5565-01 |
וּ/סְמַכְיָֽהוּ | usemakheyahu | HC/Np |
and Semachiah | and YHWH-has-supported | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5565-01 |
1 Chronicles 26:7 | וּ/סְמַכְיָֽהוּ | usemakheyahu | HC/Np |
and Semachiah | and YHWH-has-supported |