שְׂמִיכָה
𐤔𐤌𐤉𐤊𐤄
sᵉmîykâh
H8063 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A cloth or fabric used as a covering, especially a blanket, sheet, or mantel; in certain contexts, a cloth laid out for sitting or reclining, characteristic of the setting or customs of ancient Near Eastern dining. The term primarily denotes a textile covering that supports or provides comfort, with possible secondary reference to decorative or ceremonial coverings.
Semantic Range
blanket, coverlet, sheet, (sitting or reclining) cloth, mantel, textile covering, fabric support
Root / Etymology
From the root סָמַךְ (samakh), meaning 'to support' or 'to lean upon.' The noun שְׂמִיכָה derives from this root, referring to a cloth or object that supports or upon which one rests—hence, a blanket or covering.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שְׂמִיכָה is attested rarely in the Hebrew Bible, and when it occurs, the sense is usually of a cloth spread for sitting or reclining, consistent with ancient Near Eastern practices where diners would recline or sit on cloth-strewn floors or couches. The term is related to, but more specific than, general words for 'garment' (e.g., בֶּגֶד beged) or 'covering' (e.g., מָסָךְ masakh). Later Hebrew (rabbinic and modern) uses שְׂמִיכָה to mean 'blanket,' closely preserving the more generic biblical sense. It is important not to conflate this word with terms for ritual laying on of hands (סְמִיכָה סמיכה semikhah). English versions often translate שְׂמִיכָה as 'mantle' or 'covering,' but 'blanket' or 'sheet' often better captures its material and functional sense. The context does not carry the ceremonial or office-imparting sense that later 'semikhah' acquires in Jewish tradition.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from סָמַךְ; a run (as sustaining the Oriental sitter); mantle.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סמך (s-m-k) — to support, to lean, to uphold
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3253 | יִסְמַכְיָהוּ | and Yahweh-will-sustain |
| H5564 | סָמַךְ | among supporters of |
| H5565 | סְמַכְיָהוּ | and YHWH-has-supported |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8063-01 |
בַּ/שְּׂמִיכָֽה | basemikhah | HRd/Ncfsa |
with the blanket | in the support-cloth | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8063-01 |
Judges 4:18 | בַּ/שְּׂמִיכָֽה | basemikhah | HRd/Ncfsa |
with the blanket | in the support-cloth |