sa.makh denotes placing hands on someone or something, leaning on support, or being upheld and made steady.

The dominant use describes the deliberate placement of hands on an animal or person in offering and commissioning scenes. Elsewhere the verb marks leaning or relying on a support, sustaining someone in need, and the resulting condition of being steady or established.

1. placing hands on an offering or person · dominant

   In Leviticus 1:4, the Qal form occurs where a hand is placed on the head of the burnt offering before it is accepted. The same action is repeated with sacrificial animals in Leviticus 4:15 and Leviticus 8:18, while Numbers 27:23 places hands on Joshua in connection with commissioning him.

   Leviticus 1:4Leviticus 4:15Leviticus 8:18Leviticus 16:21Numbers 27:18Numbers 27:23
2. upholding or sustaining · common

   The Qal active participle describes the LORD as the one who upholds the righteous in Psalm 37:17 and those who are falling in Psalm 145:14. In Psalm 119:116, the imperative asks for support so that the speaker may live; Song of Songs 2:5 similarly asks to be sustained with raisin cakes and apples.

   Psalm 37:17Psalm 37:24Psalm 119:116Psalm 145:14Isaiah 59:16Song of Songs 2:5
3. leaning or relying on a support · common

   In 2 Kings 18:21, the Niphal imperfect occurs in the warning about leaning on Egypt, pictured as a crushed reed that pierces the hand. Judges 16:29 uses the same stem where Samson braces himself against the pillars, and Isaiah 48:2 describes people who lean upon the God of Israel.

   2 Kings 18:212 Chronicles 32:8Isaiah 36:6Isaiah 48:2Judges 16:29Psalm 71:6
4. being steady or established · occasional

   Passive participles describe a settled condition: Psalm 111:8 says that the stated things are established forever, and Psalm 112:8 describes a heart as steady and unafraid. Isaiah 26:3 likewise connects a steadfast intention with peace and trust.

   Isaiah 26:3Psalm 111:8Psalm 112:8

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the hand-placement texts, the APB regularly uses “lay” hands on a head. Elsewhere it uses expressions such as “upholds,” “leaned,” “braced himself,” “sustain,” and “steady”; These renderings indicate the clauses' presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent.