כְּפוֹר
properly, a cover, i.e. (by implication) a tankard (or covered goblet); also white frost (as covering the ground)
Definition
The Hebrew noun כְּפוֹר (kᵉphôwr) has two primary meanings in the Old Testament. First, it refers to 'hoarfrost' or 'white frost,' the delicate, icy coating that covers the ground, as seen in the description of the manna in Exodus 16:14 and in poetic passages about God's creative power in Job 38:29 and Psalm 147:16. Second, it denotes a 'bowl' or 'basin,' specifically a covered vessel used in the temple service, as listed among the gold and silver articles in 1 Chronicles 28:17, Ezra 1:10, and Ezra 8:27. Both senses derive from the core idea of a 'cover' or 'covering.'
Biblical Usage
This word is used six times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative, poetic, and inventory contexts. Its meaning as 'frost' is found in the Pentateuch (Exodus 16:14) and the Wisdom/Poetry books (Job 38:29, Psalm 147:16), where it describes a natural phenomenon. Its meaning as a 'bowl' or 'basin' appears exclusively in post-exilic historical books (1 Chronicles 28:17, Ezra 1:10, Ezra 8:27), where it inventories sacred vessels for temple worship.
Etymology
The noun כְּפוֹר (kᵉphôwr) is derived from the root verb כָּפַר (kāphar, H3722), which fundamentally means 'to cover.' This root is theologically significant, as it is also used for concepts like 'atonement' (a covering for sin). The noun's meanings—'frost' (a covering on the ground) and 'covered bowl'—directly extend from this core idea of covering.
Semantic Range
This word connects the mundane and the sacred through the concept of 'covering.' The 'frost' references highlight God's sovereign power over creation and His faithful, delicate provision (as with the manna). The 'bowl' references point to the holiness and precision required in worship. Understanding its root (kāphar) can also create a subtle lexical link to the theme of atonement, enriching reflection on how God covers both the earth and human sin.
The 'bowl' or 'basin' (kᵉphôwr) was a specific type of covered vessel used for ritual purposes in the Israelite temple, distinct from open dishes. Its inclusion in detailed temple inventories (Ezra, Chronicles) underscores the immense value and sacred function of these objects in restored worship. The 'frost' was understood as a mysterious, thin, layer-like phenomenon, perfectly illustrating the word's core meaning.
קֶרַח (qerach, H7140) — refers to 'ice' or a thick frost/crust, a more solid frozen layer. טַל (ṭal, H2919) — means 'dew,' a moist covering, contrasted with frost's icy covering.
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.
Full methodology & sources →