Guard/Keep
שָׁמַר (Shamar)
To guard, keep, watch over, or protect with careful attention.
The Hebrew word shamar means to guard, keep, or watch over — describing careful, vigilant protection applied to God's commands, His people, and the human heart.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." — Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)
Key Verses
Proverbs 4:23
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”Read in context
Genesis 2:15
“And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H8104 — Guard/Keep (שָׁמַר (Shamar))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where שָׁמַר (Shamar) appears.
Open Strong's H8104The Meaning of Shamar
Shamar means to guard, keep, watch over, observe, or protect. It implies vigilant, careful attention — like a watchman on a wall or a shepherd guarding a flock. When God commands Adam to 'keep' the garden, He uses shamar — calling him to guard and protect it. When Numbers 6:24 says 'the LORD keep thee,' it promises God's watchful, protective care.
Keeping God's Word
Throughout the Old Testament, shamar is used for keeping or observing God's commands. 'Keep my commandments and live' (Proverbs 7:2). This is not mere obedience but treasuring — guarding God's Word as something precious that must be protected and preserved in the heart.
Guarding the Heart
Proverbs 4:23 uses shamar for the most important task: guarding the heart. 'Keep thy heart with all diligence' — because the heart is the source of all life. What we allow into our hearts shapes our thoughts, words, and actions. Shamar calls for active, intentional protection of our inner life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does shamar mean in Hebrew?
Shamar means to guard, keep, watch over, protect, and observe. It implies vigilant, careful attention — actively protecting something precious, whether God's Word, the human heart, or His people.
What does 'keep thy heart' mean in Proverbs 4:23?
It means to guard your heart with vigilant diligence (shamar), because your heart is the wellspring of your entire life. What you allow into your heart shapes everything else.
What is the Hebrew word for "Guard/Keep" in the Bible?
שָׁמַר (Shamar), pronounced "shah-MAHR." It means to guard, keep, watch over, or protect with careful attention. Its Strong's number is H8104. It is the word behind "Guard/Keep" in the Old Testament, for example in Proverbs 4:23.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Guard/Keep"?
Proverbs 4:23 — "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (KJV). It also appears in Numbers 6:24, Genesis 2:15.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Guard/Keep (שָׁמַר (Shamar))
To guard, keep, watch over, or protect with careful attention.
Strong's H8104 — Guard/Keep
שָׁמַר (Shamar) • To guard, keep, watch over, or protect with careful attention.
Heart (לֵב (lev))
The center of a person — the seat of mind, will, emotions, and spiritual life.
Strong's H3820 — Heart
לֵב (lev) • The center of a person — the seat of mind, will, emotions, and spiritual life.
Bible Verses About Guarding Your Heart
10 curated KJV verses
Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)
The breastplate of righteousness guards the heart with Christ's righteousness im
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