מִשְׁמָר
míshmarmasculine
The Hebrew word for guard is מִשְׁמָר (míshmar). Wiktionary also lists שׁוֹמֵר (shomér).
Meaning: person who or thing that protects something (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| מִשְׁמָר | míshmar | masculine |
| שׁוֹמֵר | shomér | masculine |
Both מִשְׁמָר and שׁוֹמֵר are used to describe a person or thing that protects something.
What does it mean word for word?
The word שׁוֹמֵר is a present-tense participle of the verb שָׁמַר, meaning 'one who guards' or 'one who watches'.
Which one should you use?
While both words relate to guarding, שׁוֹמֵר (shomér) refers specifically to the person performing the act of guarding, whereas מִשְׁמָר (míshmar) refers to the guard post, the watch or the duty itself. מִשְׁמָר is often used to denote the shift or the station/post where a guard is stationed, rather than the individual person.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine singular form is שׁוֹמֶרֶת (shom-éret), and the masculine plural form is שׁוֹמְרִים (shom-rím).
How do you pronounce it?
míshmar
Did you know?
- The root of the word שׁוֹמֵר also means 'to keep' or 'to remember'. This is why the same root is used for 'keeping' a promise or 'observing' a holiday.
- In Jewish law, a שׁוֹמֵר is a specific legal term for a 'bailee', someone who takes responsibility for another person's property.
- The biblical figure of the 'guardian angel' is translated as מַלְאָךְ שׁוֹמֵר, treating the angel as a sentinel.
Example sentences for Hebrew are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “guard” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
