Passing Phrase - www.learnhebrew.org.il

Lehachazik Ma'amad

Literally: To hold on to a position
Idiomatically: To hang on; to hang in there

The infinitive "Lehachzik" comes from the root Chet – Zayin – Kuf ח'ז'ק , which can mean strong (Joshua 1:9) or as in our case, to hold on (Samuel I 17:35; Samuel II 18:9). "Ma'amad" can be taken literally (Chronicles I 23:28) as in a real stand, or figuratively as in our case (Isaiah 22:19). Although we do not have any Biblical or Talmudic source for this expression it can be found in one of the Dead Sea Scrolls (Hodiyot 38:35). It also has a German link in "standhalten." One pompous political pundit predicted

הממשלה לא תצליח להחזיק מעמד. אני מעריך שהבחירות יערכו תוך כמה חודשים.

"Hamemshahla lo tatsliach lehachazik ma'amad. Ani ma'arich shebechirot ye'archu toch kama chodoshim."

The government will not be able to hold out. I estimate that elections will be held within a few months.

My granddaughter said the same thing and she is nine.


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