sha.mar describes observing divine requirements, guarding people and places, and preserving what is entrusted.

The dominant use concerns carrying out commandments, statutes, covenant obligations, and appointed charges. Other verses show guarding a person, entrance, or possession; preserving or reserving something; and taking care to avoid danger or guilt.

1. Observe commanded requirements · dominant

   In 1 Kings 2:3, the forms occur with the charge of the LORD and with statutes, commandments, judgments, and testimonies; the APB renders the clause "Keep the charge of the LORD your God." In 2 Kings 17:37, the plural imperfect stands with statutes, customs, instruction, and commandment that are to be done.

   1 Kings 2:31 Kings 9:41 Kings 11:111 Chronicles 22:132 Kings 17:37Amos 2:4
2. Guard an entrusted person, place, or possession · common

   Active participles identify people assigned to thresholds, an entrance, a flock, or baggage: in 1 Chronicles 9:19 the APB renders them as "keeping the threshold of the tent," and in 1 Samuel 17:20 it speaks of a "keeper" for the flock. Imperative and finite forms also concern guarding a captive or protecting a king and house, as in 1 Kings 20:39 and 2 Kings 11:5.

   1 Chronicles 9:191 Kings 20:392 Kings 11:51 Samuel 17:201 Samuel 17:221 Samuel 26:16
3. Preserve or maintain · occasional

   Where the subject is God or an act of protection, the verb concerns continued safeguarding: in 1 Samuel 2:9 the APB renders the clause "He keeps the feet of his pious one," while 1 Samuel 30:23 says that the LORD "has preserved us." In 1 Kings 8:23, the active participle is used of God in the clause the APB renders "keeping the covenant and the kindness."

   1 Samuel 2:91 Samuel 30:231 Kings 8:231 Chronicles 29:181 Samuel 25:21
4. Keep oneself on guard · rare

   Reflexive or passive-stem forms concern personal caution or restraint. In 1 Samuel 19:2, the Niphal imperative is followed by dwelling in secrecy and hiding; in 2 Samuel 22:24, the Hithpael form occurs in the APB clause "I kept myself from guilt."

   1 Samuel 19:22 Kings 6:92 Samuel 20:102 Samuel 22:24
5. Be reserved or kept apart · rare

   Passive participles describe something retained or set aside. In 1 Samuel 9:24, the APB twice renders the portion before Saul as "kept"; in 1 Samuel 21:5, the Niphal perfect occurs where women have been "kept from" the men.

   1 Samuel 9:241 Samuel 21:52 Samuel 23:5

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB commonly uses "keep" for requirements and retained things, while using "guard," "keeper," "watching," and "preserved" in custodial or protective contexts. Because the APB is a whole-verse translation, these renderings show the clauses' presentation rather than fixed English equivalents.