English · KJV
H3874

לוּט

lûwṭ /loot/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto wrap up
KJV usagecast, wrap.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of lûwṭ — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word lûwṭ, represented by H3874, is a primitive root meaning to wrap up; cast, wrap. Though it appears only 3 times across 3 unique verses, its usage illustrates both literal and deeply symbolic acts of covering.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical contexts, H3874 is used to describe distinct actions of covering. In 1 Samuel, the sword of Goliath is found wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod, indicating a literal act of concealment for preservation or storage 1 Samuel 21:9. The prophet Elijah performs an act of reverence when he wrapped his face in his mantle upon hearing the voice of God, suggesting a covering born of awe 1 Kings 19:13. Prophetically, the word is used to describe a "covering cast over all people," a symbolic vail of mourning or spiritual blindness that will ultimately be destroyed Isaiah 25:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and context of covering and wrapping:

  • H3875 lôwṭ (a veil; covering): A noun derived directly from the root, it appears alongside H3874 in Isaiah's prophecy to name the "face of the covering" that is cast over the nations Isaiah 25:7.
  • H155 ʼaddereth (mantle, robe): This word denotes a significant garment. It is the specific object Elijah uses to wrap his face, connecting the action of H3874 to a tangible item of importance 1 Kings 19:13.
  • H4541 maççêkâh (covering, molten (image), vail): Used in parallel with H3874 in Isaiah 25:7, it describes the vail that is spread over all nations, reinforcing the theme of a universal spiritual shroud. It is also used elsewhere to refer to a molten image.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3874 is demonstrated through its varied applications.

  • Concealment and Separation: The wrapping of Goliath's sword shows an object set apart and hidden. Similarly, Elijah wrapping his face demonstrates a separation between the human and the divine presence.
  • Reverence before the Holy: Elijah's action of wrapping his face in his mantle is a physical posture of humility and reverence when standing before God 1 Kings 19:13. It acknowledges the unworthiness of man to look directly upon the divine.
  • A Universal Spiritual Condition: In Isaiah, the "covering cast over all people" Isaiah 25:7 symbolizes a universal state of spiritual death or separation from God. The promise to destroy this covering is a message of ultimate salvation and restoration.

Summary

In summary, H3874 moves from a simple, physical action to one of profound theological significance. While its appearances are few, they powerfully illustrate concepts of concealment, reverence in the face of the holy, and the promise of God's redemptive power to remove the vail of spiritual darkness that covers humanity.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יָּלֶט
  • לוּטָה
  • לּוֹט

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3875 לוֹט from לוּט; a veil; covering. H155 אַדֶּרֶת feminine of אַדִּיר; ; also the same as אֶדֶר; something ample (as a large vine, a wide dress); garment, glory, goodly, H4541 מַסֵּכָה from נָסַךְ; properly, a pouring over, i.e. fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 1 Samuel, 1 Kings, and Isaiah (1 verse each); never once in the other 36.

1
1 Samuel
1
1 Kings
1
Isaiah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.