Skip to content
H8551

תָּמַךְ

tâmak /taw-mak'/ Ask about this word
a primitive root
to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close
(take, up-) hold (up), maintain, retain, stay (up).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of tâmak — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word tâmak, represented by H8551, is a primitive root used to mean to sustain. It appears 21 times in 20 unique verses. By implication, its meaning expands to include concepts like to obtain, keep fast, help, and follow close. It is translated in various ways, including to uphold, maintain, retain, and stay up.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H8551 is used to describe both divine action and human responsibility. God promises to uphold his people with His righteous right hand, offering strength and help in times of fear Isaiah 41:10. This same divine support is shown toward His chosen servant, whom He upholds Isaiah 42:1. On a human level, the word conveys physical support, as when Aaron and Hur stayed up Moses' heavy hands Exodus 17:12. It is also used figuratively for holding onto intangible things, such as a heart that must retain God's words to find life Proverbs 4:4, or a person who retaineth wisdom Proverbs 3:18.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help illuminate the meaning of holding and sustaining:

  • H2388 châzaq (to fasten upon, seize, be strong): This term often implies strengthening or encouraging. It is used for laying hold of wisdom Proverbs 3:18 and for how David encouraged himself in the LORD 1 Samuel 30:6.
  • H1692 dâbaq (to cling or adhere): This word emphasizes a close bond, as seen when a soul followeth hard after God Psalms 63:8. It also describes the foundational union where a man shall cleave to his wife Genesis 2:24.
  • H3027 yâd (a hand): As the instrument of holding, the hand is frequently mentioned alongside H8551. God upholds with his right hand Isaiah 41:10, and Joseph held up his father's hand to move it Genesis 48:17.
  • H4131 môwṭ (to waver, slip, shake): This word often appears in contexts where H8551 provides the solution. A prayer is made to Hold up my goings so that my footsteps slip not Psalms 17:5.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H8551 is centered on the concepts of divine support and human adherence.

  • Divine Sustenance: The word powerfully illustrates God's active role in preserving His people. He is the one who upholdeth the righteous in their integrity Psalms 41:12 and maintainest their lot in life Psalms 16:5. This is not a passive observance but an active, sustaining help.
  • Moral Adherence: Holding fast is a moral and spiritual discipline. The righteous person is one whose heart can retain God's words Proverbs 4:4 and who shaketh his hands from holding bribes Isaiah 33:15. Wisdom is a tree of life for those who retaineth her Proverbs 3:18.
  • Consequences of Being Held: The action of being "held" has consequences. While honor shall uphold the humble in spirit Proverbs 29:23, the wicked will be holden with the cords of his own sins Proverbs 5:22. One's path can take hold on hell Proverbs 5:5, showing that being held fast can lead to ruin as well as security.

Summary

In summary, H8551 is a dynamic term that describes a vital connection. It defines God's relationship to His people as an active sustainer and helper, and it outlines the human responsibility to cling to what is righteous and life-giving. From the physical act of holding up weary arms to the spiritual act of retaining God's truth in the heart, tâmak illustrates a foundational biblical principle: what one holds onto ultimately determines their stability and destiny.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 21 occurrences, inflected in 15 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יִתְמֹכוּ
  • יִתְמָךְ
  • תוֹמֵךְ
  • תָּמְכוּ
  • יִתָּמֵךְ
  • יִּתְמֹךְ
  • אֶתְמָךְ
  • תִּתְמֹךְ
  • תָּמֹךְ
  • תְּמֹךְ
  • תֹמְכֶי
  • תּוֹמִיךְ
  • תְּמַכְתִּי
  • תָּמַכְתָּ
  • תָּמְכָה

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 20 verses across 7 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Proverbs (8 verses); never once in the other 32.

1
Genesis
1
Exodus
1
Job
4
Psalms
8
Proverbs
3
Isaiah
2
Amos

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.