מִכְסֶה
a covering, i.e. weatherboarding
Definition
The Hebrew noun מִכְסֶה (mikseh) refers to a covering, veil, or protective layer. In its most common usage, it describes the outer coverings of the Tabernacle, specifically the durable layers made from ram skins dyed red and fine leather (Exodus 26:14, 35:11). It can also refer to the covering of the ark of the covenant (Numbers 4:8). In a distinct, non-ritual context, it describes the 'covering' of the earth's surface after the floodwaters receded in Genesis 8:13, indicating the ground was once again exposed and dry.
Biblical Usage
This word is used almost exclusively in the context of Israel's sacred worship, particularly in the books of Exodus and Numbers detailing the construction and transport of the Tabernacle. It specifies the protective outer layers that shielded the holy structure (Exodus 36:19, 40:19). The single exception is its use in the narrative of Noah, where it describes the earth becoming uncovered (Genesis 8:13). A pattern emerges where it denotes a functional, often protective, covering for something of great importance.
Etymology
מִכְסֶה is a noun derived from the common Hebrew root כָּסָה (kāsâ, H3680), which means 'to cover, conceal, or clothe.' This root appears in many Semitic languages. The noun form מִכְסֶה specifically denotes the 'thing that covers' or the 'covering' itself, emphasizing its function as an object.
Semantic Range
As a key term for the Tabernacle's coverings, מִכְסֶה highlights God's provision for protecting the sacred space where He dwelt among His people. These coverings shielded the holy articles from the elements and from common view, reflecting the separation between the holy and the common. Understanding this specific term enriches the reading of Tabernacle texts by emphasizing the intentionality and care in creating a dwelling fit for God's presence, pointing forward to God's ultimate 'covering' for sin in Christ.
In the ancient Near East, portable shrines and tents for deities were known, but Israel's Tabernacle was unique in its prescribed design from Yahweh. The specific materials for the מִכְסֶה—ram skins and fine leather—would have been costly and durable, indicating the value and permanence intended for this mobile sanctuary. The covering served the practical cultural need of protecting the sacred from a harsh desert environment.
כְּסוּת (kesûth, H3682) — a more general term for a covering, like clothing or a blanket. סֻכָּה (sukkâ, H5521) — a booth or temporary shelter, emphasizing a structure rather than a layer. לוֹט (lôṭ, H3875) — a veil or covering used for concealment.
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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