What does שָׂמַח · χαίρω mean in the Bible?
שָׂמַח · χαίρω is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to be glad or express joy".
Hebrew · H8055, G5463
שָׂמַח
Probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome · to rejoice
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
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Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
שָׂמַח H8055 probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
Pronunciation samach
Joy rooted in brightening—moves from physical illumination to emotional gladness, often involving celebration and festive delight.
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χαίρω G5463 to rejoice
Pronunciation chaírō
Rejoice primarily means active gladness; distinct from mere emotion, often expressing relational joy in Christ.
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What does שָׂמַח (samach) mean in the Bible?
שָׂמַח · χαίρω is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to be glad or express joy".
Full entry for שָׂמַח (H8055, G5463) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H8055, G5463?
H8055, G5463 is connected to 158 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to be glad or express joy
Source Gloss
to be glad or express joy
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 3 Aligned forms 80
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 66×
Imperfect 1Chr 16:10 · Eccl 3:22 · Hab 1:15 · Isa 9:16 · Prov 13:9 · Prov 17:21 · Prov 23:15 · Prov 23:24 · Prov 29:2 · Ps 14:7 · Ps 21:2 · Ps 33:21 · Ps 48:12 · Ps 53:7 · Ps 58:11 · Ps 63:12 38×
Jussive Eccl 11:8 · Ezek 7:12 · Prov 23:25 · Hos 9:1 · Obad 1:12 · Prov 24:17 · Isa 14:29 · Mic 7:8 · Ps 35:19 · Ps 35:24 10×
Perfect Isa 9:2 · Isa 14:8 · Neh 12:43 · Ps 35:15 · 1Chr 29:9 · Ps 16:9 · Ps 105:38 · 1Sam 2:1 · Ps 122:1 9×
Sequential imperfect Isa 66:10 · Judg 9:19 · Ps 32:11 · Ps 97:12 · Deut 33:18 · Eccl 11:9 · Zeph 3:14 7×
Cohortative Ps 9:3 · Ps 66:6 2×
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 13×
Imperfect Eccl 10:19 · Prov 10:1 · Prov 15:20 · Prov 15:30 · Prov 27:9 · Prov 29:3 · Ps 104:15 · Hos 7:3 · Ps 46:5 9×
Infinitive absolute Jer 20:15 1×
Participle active Ps 19:9 1×
Perfect Ps 30:2 1×
Sequential imperfect Ps 86:4 1×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 1×
Perfect Ps 89:43 1×
Word Origins
שָׂמַח is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain