חׇפַף
𐤇𐤐𐤐
chophaph
H2653 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cover, to provide a protective or sheltering covering, often with the nuance of encircling or overshadowing. The primary sense is that of providing physical or figurative shelter over something or someone.
Semantic Range
to cover (protectively or shelteringly), to screen, to overshadow, to provide shelter, to protect (often with connotations of care or favor)
Root / Etymology
Root: חפף. The core meaning is 'to cover' or 'to shelter.' The verb חָפַף (chophaph) is related by form and meaning to the root חפף, which broadly signifies 'to cover, protect, overshadow.' It is tentatively linked to similar Hebrew roots such as חפה ('to cover, overlay'), but the precise relationship is uncertain. Shared Semitic cognates suggest the idea of a covering surface or layer.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חָפַף occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible, notably in poetic or prophetic passages (e.g., Deuteronomy 33:12), describing a figurative act of protection or care, frequently with divine agency. The usage often implies being shielded on all sides, rather than simply being placed underneath a cover. In later Hebrew, the root is overshadowed by more common verbs like כסה ('to cover') or סכך ('to shelter'). English translations sometimes render the verb as 'cover,' 'shield,' or even 'encompass,' but these may not fully capture the nuance of continual overhead protection or encirclement. There is no direct implication of religious or ritual covering as in some related terms. The meaning does not shift significantly across periods, remaining tied to the image of protective covering. The word should be distinguished from related roots: חפה (to overlay or plate) and סכך (to screen or shield), which highlight other nuanced aspects of protection or shelter.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root (compare חָפָה, יָחֵף); to cover (in protection); cover.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
חפף (chaph) — to cover, surround, encircle
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2643 | חַף | blameless |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2653-01 |
חֹפֵ֤ף | chofef | HVqrmsa |
covers | the sheltering one | the sheltering one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2653-01 |
Deuteronomy 33:12 | חֹפֵ֤ף | chofef | HVqrmsa |
covers | the sheltering one | the sheltering one |