a primitive root; to be erect, i.e. bristle as hair; stand up, tremble.
Transliteration:çâmar
Pronunciation:saw-mar'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H5568 (סָמַר, *çâmar*) is a primitive root whose core meaning revolves around the concept of becoming stiff, erect, or standing upright, particularly in reference to hair or bristles. This primary physical manifestation naturally extends to the broader semantic range of "tremble" or "shudder." The word describes an involuntary physiological reaction, often indicative of intense emotion such as fear, dread, or profound awe. It points to a visceral response where the body's physical state reflects an overwhelming internal experience.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root H5568 appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, with only two distinct occurrences, yet each is remarkably impactful:
* **[[Job 4:15]]**: "A spirit glided past my face; the hair on my body stood on end." In this dramatic account, Eliphaz describes a terrifying, spectral encounter. The verb çâmar is used to depict the immediate, involuntary physical reaction: his hair bristled and stood on end. This usage perfectly aligns with the primary definition, conveying a profound sense of dread, supernatural terror, and an overwhelming experience of the uncanny. It underscores the unsettling and awe-inspiring nature of a direct spiritual encounter.
* **[[Psalm 119:120]]**: "My flesh trembles for fear of you; I am afraid of your judgments." Here, the psalmist employs çâmar to express a deep, reverential awe and fear of God's righteous judgments. While still describing a physical reaction ("my flesh trembles"), the context elevates this trembling beyond mere terror. It signifies a profound, humble, and obedient respect for divine holiness and justice. This is not the fear that flees, but the fear that bows in recognition of God's supreme authority and righteousness. The "trembling of the flesh" in this verse speaks to a holy dread that pervades one's entire being in the presence of divine truth.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept expressed by H5568 connects to several other Hebrew terms related to fear, awe, and physical reactions:
* **Physical Trembling/Quaking:**
* `{{H2729}}` (charadah): Trembling, fear, anxiety.
* `{{H6343}}` (pachad): Dread, terror, fear, often with a sense of suddenness.
* `{{H7461}}` (ra'ad): To tremble, quake, shake, often due to fear or weakness.
* `{{H2119}}` (zâʿaʿ): To tremble, shudder, quake, indicating a strong physical reaction.
* **Reverential Awe/Fear of God:**
* `{{H3372}}` (yare'): To fear, reverence, stand in awe. This is a broader and more common term for the "fear of the Lord," encompassing both dread and profound respect. While çâmar describes a specific *manifestation* of fear, yare' describes the *state* or *attitude* of fearing God.
* **Divine Presence and Manifestation:** The contexts of çâmar (a spiritual encounter in Job, divine judgments in Psalms) link it to the overwhelming and often terrifying nature of God's presence or actions, which elicit such a powerful human response.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H5568 is profound, particularly given its limited but potent usage:
* **Encounter with the Numinous:** In [[Job 4:15]], çâmar powerfully conveys the human experience of encountering the numinous – that which is utterly other, mysterious, and awe-inspiring, often evoking dread and fascination simultaneously. It highlights human vulnerability and the overwhelming power of the spiritual realm.
* **Holy Dread and Reverence:** [[Psalm 119:120]] provides a crucial theological depth. Here, the "trembling of the flesh" is transformed from mere terror into a profound expression of "the fear of the Lord." It is not a fear that paralyzes or drives one away, but a reverential awe that cultivates humility, obedience, and a deep respect for God's righteous character and laws. This aligns with the biblical understanding that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" ([[Proverbs 9:10]]). It signifies a recognition of God's sovereignty and the believer's accountability before Him.
* **Holistic Human Response:** The word underscores the integrated nature of human experience, where deep spiritual or emotional states manifest in involuntary physical reactions. It bridges the internal world of faith, fear, and reverence with the external, observable body, emphasizing that the encounter with the divine impacts the entirety of one's being.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H5568 (סָמַר, *çâmar*) describes the physical phenomenon of hair bristling or the body trembling, predominantly as an involuntary response to intense fear, dread, or awe. Despite its rare occurrence in the biblical text, its two appearances are highly significant. In [[Job 4:15]], it vividly portrays the primal dread evoked by a terrifying spiritual encounter. More profoundly, in [[Psalm 119:120]], çâmar elevates this physical trembling to a sublime expression of reverential awe and holy fear before God's righteous judgments. Thus, çâmar encapsulates a powerful, visceral human response to overwhelming power, whether spiritual or divine, underscoring both human vulnerability and the profound, transformative impact of encountering the sacred.
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