כָּסָה
𐤊𐤎𐤄
kâçâh
H3680 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cover over, conceal, or hide something; to place something over or upon in order to provide covering, protection, or concealment. Also used metaphorically to mean forgive or atone for (sin), as in 'covering' or 'removing' guilt or offense. The verb can refer to physical acts (such as covering objects, people, or the earth) or to figurative actions (such as covering shame, sin, or fault).
Semantic Range
to cover, to conceal something from view, to clothe or provide covering for, to hide (oneself or someone/something), to overlay or envelop, to overwhelm, to forgive or remove guilt (metaphorically), to protect by covering, to cover shame or disgrace
Root / Etymology
Root: כסה. The root כסה primarily means 'to cover' or 'to conceal.' This verb is a straightforward derivative of the root, preserving its core sense in nearly all its forms. There is some debate about ultimate etymology, with possible links to similar Semitic roots (cf. Aramaic and Arabic cognates), but it is generally treated as a distinct Hebrew root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Throughout the Hebrew Bible, כָּסָה is used in a variety of contexts, from covering the altar with ashes (Num 4:13), concealing physical objects (Gen 7:19; covering mountains with water), and providing clothing (Isa 61:10), to metaphorical uses such as covering shame (Gen 9:23) and, notably, the concept of atonement and forgiveness where sins are 'covered' (Ps 32:1, Prov 10:12). In priestly and wisdom literature, 'to cover' can be synonymous with absolving or removing guilt, though the word itself does not inherently mean 'to forgive.' Later translation traditions, such as the Septuagint and English versions, sometimes extend the metaphor in ways that may obscure the nuance of the Hebrew, where the emphasis is often on the action of concealing or protecting. The standard English 'to cover' fails to capture some ritual and social nuances, such as covering disgrace or providing protective shelter. The related root כָּשָׂה (with sin as the final radical) is a separate and much rarer term, and should not be conflated with כָּסָה.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
כסה (k-s-h) — to cover, to conceal, to hide
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3677 | כֶּסֶא | full moon |
| H3678 | כִּסֵּא | the throne |
| H3681 | כָּסוּי | covering-of |
| H3682 | כְּסוּת | covering-of |
| H3704 | כֶּסֶת | covering-cushions |
Word Forms
75 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3680-23 |
לְ/כַסּ֖וֹת | lekhasot | HR/Vpc |
to-cover | to thoroughly cover | 12 |
H3680-03 |
הַֽ/מְכַסֶּ֤ה | hamekhaseh | HTi/Vprmsa |
that covers | the covering-one | 9 |
H3680-65 |
יְכַסֶּ֣ה | yekhaseh | HVpi3ms |
he covered | he covers over | 9 |
H3680-13 |
כִּסָּ֤ה | kisah | HVpp3ms |
covered | he fully covered | 8 |
H3680-43 |
וַ/תְּכַ֤ס | vatekhas | HC/Vpw3fs |
and covered | she covered over | 7 |
H3680-34 |
תְכַסֶּ֖ה | tekhaseh | HVpi2ms |
you shall cover | you thoroughly cover | 6 |
H3680-48 |
וַ/יְכַ֞ס | vayekhas | HC/Vpw3ms |
and covered | and he covered over | 5 |
H3680-61 |
וְ/כִ֨סּוּ | vekhisu | HC/Vpq3cp |
and cover | and they covered over | 5 |
H3680-25 |
מְכַסֶּ֣ה | mekhaseh | HVprmsa |
conceals | one who covers over | 4 |
H3680-50 |
וַ/יְכַסּ֕וּ | vayekhasu | HC/Vpw3mp |
and covered | and they covered over | 4 |
Occurrences in Scripture
153 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3680-52 |
Genesis 7:19 | וַ/יְכֻסּ֗וּ | vayekhusu | HC/VPw3mp |
and were covered | and they were covered over |
H3680-52 |
Genesis 7:20 | וַ/יְכֻסּ֖וּ | vayekhusu | HC/VPw3mp |
were covered | and they were covered over |
H3680-50 |
Genesis 9:23 | וַ/יְכַסּ֕וּ | vayekhasu | HC/Vpw3mp |
and covered | and they covered over |
H3680-03 |
Genesis 18:17 | הַֽ/מְכַסֶּ֤ה | hamekhaseh | HTi/Vprmsa |
hide | the covering-one |
H3680-47 |
Genesis 24:65 | וַ/תִּתְכָּֽס | vatitekas | HC/Vtw3fs |
and covered herself | she covered herself |
H3680-58 |
Genesis 37:26 | וְ/כִסִּ֖ינוּ | vekhisinu | HC/Vpq1cp |
and cover up | and we covered over |
H3680-43 |
Genesis 38:14 | וַ/תְּכַ֤ס | vatekhas | HC/Vpw3fs |
and covered | she covered over |
H3680-11 |
Genesis 38:15 | כִסְּתָ֖ה | khisetah | HVpp3fs |
she had covered | she covered over |
H3680-43 |
Exodus 8:2 | וַ/תְּכַ֖ס | vatekhas | HC/Vpw3fs |
and covered | she covered over |
H3680-54 |
Exodus 10:5 | וְ/כִסָּה֙ | vekhisah | HC/Vpq3ms |
and it will cover | and he covered over |