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מִכְסֶה

𐤌𐤊𐤎𐤄

mikçeh

H4372 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כסה to cover, conceal, hide

Definition

A physical or figurative covering; something that serves as a layer of protection, concealment, or shelter. Depending on context, often refers specifically to sheathing or panelling (such as boards or planks forming part of a structure), or to covering materials.

Semantic Range

covering; panel or sheathing used for structural purposes; architectural covering; means of protection or shelter

Root / Etymology

From the root כסה (k-s-h), meaning 'to cover, conceal'. The noun מִכְסֶה is formed with the mem-prefix, indicating an instrument or result of the verbal action—thus, 'a covering' or 'something that covers'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical Hebrew, מִכְסֶה is used in reference both to literal coverings, such as weatherboarding or structural panels (e.g., the wooden boards of the Tabernacle, Exodus 26:15–25), and metaphorically. Its uses are concentrated in descriptions of architecture and the Tabernacle, where it denotes external panels or coverings that provide both protection and concealment. The term remains distinct from related words such as כָּסֶה (kāsêh, 'full moon' or 'appointed time', from a similar root but different in meaning and derivation) and סֵכֶךְ (sēkekh, 'booth' or 'shelter', also for covering but with broader semantic range). Unlike typical English 'covering', מִכְסֶה in biblical contexts generally refers to something firmly attached or constructed, not an incidental or temporary cover. The term appears with its architectural nuance mainly in priestly and cultic texts; there is no evidence of a significant shift in meaning over time, though the broader semantic field of כסה allowed for figurative extension in post-biblical Hebrew. In English translations, 'covering' and 'weatherboarding' capture some senses but may obscure the technical or structural nuance of the original.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from כָּסָה; a covering, i.e. weatherboarding; covering.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כסה (k-s-h) — to cover, conceal, hide

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3677 כֶּסֶא full moon
H3678 כִּסֵּא the throne
H3680 כָּסָה I will fully cover
H3681 כָּסוּי covering-of
H3682 כְּסוּת covering-of

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4372-02 מִכְסֵ֣ה mikheseh HNcmsc covering covering 7
H4372-04 וּ/מִכְסֵ֛ה umikheseh HC/Ncmsc and a covering and covering-of 3
H4372-01 בְּ/מִכְסֵ֖ה bemikheseh HR/Ncmsc with a covering in covering-of 3
H4372-03 מִכְסֵ֑/הוּ mikhesehu HNcmsc/Sp3ms its covering his covering 3

Occurrences in Scripture

16 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4372-02 Genesis 8:13 מִכְסֵ֣ה mikheseh HNcmsc covering covering
H4372-02 Exodus 26:14 מִכְסֶה֙ mikheseh HNcmsa a covering covering
H4372-04 Exodus 26:14 וּ/מִכְסֵ֛ה umikheseh HC/Ncmsc and a covering and covering-of
H4372-03 Exodus 35:11 מִכְסֵ֑/הוּ mikhesehu HNcmsc/Sp3ms its covering his covering
H4372-02 Exodus 36:19 מִכְסֶה֙ mikheseh HNcmsa a covering covering
H4372-04 Exodus 36:19 וּ/מִכְסֵ֛ה umikheseh HC/Ncmsc and a covering and covering-of
H4372-02 Exodus 39:34 מִכְסֵ֞ה mikheseh HNcmsc covering covering
H4372-02 Exodus 39:34 מִכְסֵ֖ה mikheseh-2 HNcmsc covering covering
H4372-02 Exodus 40:19 מִכְסֵ֥ה mikheseh HNcmsc covering covering
H4372-03 Numbers 3:25 מִכְסֵ֕/הוּ mikhesehu HNcmsc/Sp3ms its covering his covering
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