Mishmar
/miʃˈmar/noun
A Hebrew term meaning a guard, watch, duty shift, or protective station.
Did you know?In the Hebrew Bible, mishmar can describe a watch or assigned guard duty, while its root also appears in Jewish traditions of vigilance and spiritual protection.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
מִשְׁמָר (mishmār)
“A guard, watch, custody, or assigned period of duty”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
שָׁמַר (shāmar)
“To keep, guard, preserve, or watch over”
Second Temple Period
Hebrew/Aramaic
מִשְׁמַר (mishmar)
“A watch, guard post, or appointed service”
Medieval Hebrew
Hebrew
מִשְׁמָר (mishmar)
“Guard duty, custody, or a regulated watch”
Modern English
English
mishmar
“A transliterated Hebrew term for a guard, watch, or duty shift”