from כָּפַר; properly, a cover, i.e. (by implication) a tankard (or covered goblet); also white frost (as covering the ground); bason, hoar(-y) frost.
Transliteration:kᵉphôwr
Pronunciation:kef-ore'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma כְּפוֹר (kᵉphôwr, `{{H3713}}`) derives from the verb כָּפַר (kāphar, `{{H3722}}`), meaning "to cover," "to purge," or "to atone." This etymological root provides the foundational concept for the various semantic applications of כְּפוֹר, all revolving around the idea of a "covering."
The semantic range of כְּפוֹר bifurcates into two distinct categories:
1. **A physical object that covers or contains:** In this sense, כְּפוֹר refers to a "tankard," "goblet," or "bason." The implication is a vessel that either has a lid (a covering) or serves to "cover" a liquid or substance within it. It denotes a container used in daily life, particularly for drinking.
2. **A natural phenomenon that covers the ground:** This refers to "white frost" or "hoar frost." Here, the "covering" aspect is literal, as frost forms a delicate, white layer over surfaces, blanketing the landscape. This usage highlights God's sovereignty over creation and natural processes.
The dual nature of this word, spanning from a man-made utensil to a natural atmospheric condition, underscores the comprehensive reach of the root "to cover" within the Hebrew lexicon.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word כְּפוֹר (kᵉphôwr, `{{H3713}}`) appears in the Old Testament in both of its primary semantic fields:
**1. As a Natural Phenomenon (Frost):**
* **[[Exodus 16:14]]:** "When the layer of dew had gone up, there was on the surface of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as hoar frost on the ground." Here, כְּפוֹר describes the appearance of the manna, likening its delicate, white, and pervasive covering to that of hoar frost. This imagery emphasizes the miraculous yet natural-seeming provision of God to the Israelites in the wilderness.
* **[[Job 38:29]]:** "From whose womb comes the ice? And the hoar frost of heaven, who has given it birth?" This verse is part of God's rhetorical questioning to Job, highlighting divine power and wisdom in the creation and control of natural phenomena. The formation of frost is presented as a testament to God's incomprehensible sovereignty over the elements.
* **[[Psalm 147:16]]:** "He gives snow like wool; He scatters the hoar frost like ashes." This psalm extols God's power over creation, specifically His control over weather patterns. The scattering of hoar frost "like ashes" evokes an image of widespread, fine particles, perhaps also subtly hinting at the desolating or purifying effect of such weather, or simply the vastness of God's ability to distribute it.
**2. As a Physical Container (Bason/Goblet):**
* **[[Jeremiah 35:5]]:** "Then I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites basins full of wine and cups, and I said to them, 'Drink wine!'" In this narrative, כְּפוֹר refers to the vessels used to present wine to the Rechabites. The context is a test of their obedience to their ancestor Jonadab's command to abstain from wine. The "basins" (kᵉphôwr) serve as a tangible prop in this object lesson concerning faithfulness and adherence to ancestral decrees.
These occurrences demonstrate the word's versatility, applying to both the grand scale of divine creation and the mundane details of human daily life.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of כְּפוֹר (kᵉphôwr, `{{H3713}}`) is enriched by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **כָּפַר (kāphar, `{{H3722}}`):** The foundational root verb, meaning "to cover," "to make atonement," "to purge," or "to pacify." This is the most significant related word, as it establishes the core semantic idea of "covering" for כְּפוֹר. The theological implications of `{{H3722}}` (e.g., covering of sin) are profound, even if H3713 itself is generally mundane.
* **For "Frost/Ice":**
* **קֶרַח (qerah, `{{H7140}}`):** "Ice," "frost," "crystal." Often used interchangeably or in parallel with כְּפוֹר, as seen in [[Job 38:29]].
* **טַל (tal, `{{H2919}}`):** "Dew." Often mentioned alongside frost or as a precursor to its formation, as in [[Exodus 16:14]].
* **שֶׁלֶג (sheleg, `{{H7950}}`):** "Snow." Another form of frozen precipitation, mentioned with כְּפוֹר in [[Psalm 147:16]].
* **For "Container/Vessel":**
* **כּוֹס (kos, `{{H3563}}`):** "Cup," "goblet." Frequently used for drinking vessels, appearing alongside כְּפוֹר in [[Jeremiah 35:5]].
* **סַף (saph, `{{H5592}}`):** "Basin," "bowl." A general term for a vessel.
* **כִּיּוֹר (kiyôr, `{{H3595}}`):** "Basin," "laver." Often referring to larger, sometimes cultic, basins.
* **נֵבֶל (nevel, `{{H5000}}`):** "Jar," "skin," "bottle." Another common type of container.
The interplay of these words helps to delineate the specific nuances of כְּפוֹר within the broader lexical fields of natural phenomena and household objects.
### Theological Significance
While כְּפוֹר (kᵉphôwr, `{{H3713}}`) primarily describes concrete objects and natural phenomena, its theological significance emerges from two aspects: its etymological root and its contextual usage.
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Creation:** The occurrences of כְּפוֹר as "frost" highlight God's absolute control over the natural world. In Job, frost is a testament to God's unsearchable wisdom and power, challenging human comprehension. In Psalm 147, it is an expression of His majestic governance over the elements, demonstrating His ability to command even the most subtle aspects of nature. The appearance of manna "like hoar frost" in Exodus links a common natural phenomenon to a miraculous act of divine provision, underscoring God's meticulous care for His people.
2. **Mundane as a Canvas for Divine Teaching:** In Jeremiah 35, the "basins" (kᵉphôwr) are not inherently sacred objects, yet they become instrumental in a profound moral lesson. The Rechabites' refusal to drink from these vessels, in obedience to their ancestor, serves as a powerful contrast to Judah's disobedience to God's commands. This demonstrates how even the most ordinary objects of daily life can be incorporated into God's pedagogical methods, serving as tangible elements in a divine object lesson.
3. **Etymological Echoes of "Covering":** The most profound theological resonance lies in the root כָּפַר (kāphar, `{{H3722}}`), which is central to the concept of atonement and expiation in Israelite theology. While כְּפוֹר itself does not directly signify atonement, its shared etymology with such a pivotal theological term invites reflection. The idea of "covering" extends from the mundane (a physical lid, frost covering the ground) to the sacred (the covering of sin through sacrifice and divine grace). This linguistic connection subtly reminds the reader of the pervasive nature of God's "covering" – His protective care, His provision, and ultimately, His redemptive work that "covers" humanity's transgressions. It underscores the holistic nature of biblical language, where even common terms can echo deeper theological realities through shared roots.
### Summary
The Hebrew word כְּפוֹר (kᵉphôwr, `{{H3713}}`) is a versatile term derived from the root "to cover" (כָּפַר, `{{H3722}}`). Its semantic range encompasses two distinct meanings: a physical container like a "tankard" or "basin," and the natural phenomenon of "hoar frost" or "white frost."
Biblical occurrences illustrate both facets: in [[Exodus 16:14]], [[Job 38:29]], and [[Psalm 147:16]], כְּפוֹר refers to frost, highlighting God's majestic control over creation and His miraculous provision. In [[Jeremiah 35:5]], it denotes a drinking vessel, serving as a prop in a divine lesson on obedience.
Related terms for frost include `{{H7140}}` (qerah, ice) and `{{H7950}}` (sheleg, snow), while `{{H3563}}` (kos, cup) is a common parallel for its meaning as a container. The most significant connection is to its root `{{H3722}}` (kāphar), which carries the profound theological meaning of atonement and expiation, subtly linking the mundane concept of "covering" to the sacred act of divine reconciliation. Thus, כְּפוֹר, though often describing ordinary things, points to the pervasive presence of God's power in both the grand sweep of nature and the intimate details of human life, all under His sovereign "covering."
TRV