עָטָה
to wrap, i.e. cover, veil, cloth, or roll
Definition
The Hebrew verb עָטָה (ʻâṭâh) primarily means 'to wrap' or 'to cover.' It describes the physical act of covering oneself with a garment, as when a leper is commanded to cover his upper lip (Leviticus 13:45). It also extends to God covering Himself with light as with a garment (Psalm 104:2), portraying divine majesty. In some contexts, it conveys the idea of being enveloped or clothed in a metaphorical state, such as being covered with shame (Psalm 71:13) or with cursing (Psalm 109:19).
Biblical Usage
This verb is used 15 times, predominantly in poetic books like Psalms (8 occurrences). It appears in narrative (e.g., 1 Samuel 28:14, describing Samuel's ghost wrapped in a robe) and legal texts (Leviticus 13:45). Its usage spans literal clothing (e.g., 'array self' in 2 Samuel 12:20) and figurative covering, often of emotions or divine attributes. A pattern emerges where it describes both human vulnerability (shame, mourning) and God's sovereign covering (light, honor).
Etymology
A primitive root, עָטָה is related to the idea of wrapping or enveloping. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages with similar meanings of covering or veiling. The root conveys a sense of something being drawn over or around an object, which developed into its biblical uses for both physical and abstract covering.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it bridges human and divine actions. In Psalms, it describes God's self-revelation as He covers Himself with light (Psalm 104:2), illustrating His glory and creative power. Conversely, it depicts human states before God, such as being covered in shame (Psalm 71:13) or cursing (Psalm 109:19), highlighting human sinfulness and need for redemption. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by revealing how covering can symbolize both judgment and divine splendor.
In ancient Israelite culture, covering or veiling carried social and religious meaning. For example, covering the lip was a sign of mourning or ritual uncleanness (Leviticus 13:45), signaling separation from the community. Wrapping in a garment could indicate identity or status, as with Samuel's mantle in 1 Samuel 28:14. The act of covering was not merely practical but communicated one's condition or role in society.
כָּסָה (kāsâ, H3680) — a more general term for covering or concealing, often used for hiding sins or God's face. לָבַשׁ (lāḇaš, H3847) — to put on or wear clothing, focusing on dressing rather than wrapping. חָפָה (ḥāp̄â, H2645) — to cover or overlay, often used for physical covering like pitch or plating.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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