from כָּסָה; a covering, i.e. garment; specifically, a coverlet (for a bed), an awning (from the sun); also the omentum (as covering the intestines); clothing, to cover, that which covereth.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun `{{H4374}}` (mᵉkaççeh) is derived from the verb `{{H3680}}` (kāsāh), meaning "to cover, conceal, or hide." As such, `{{H4374}}` fundamentally denotes "that which covers" or "a covering." Its semantic range is notably broad, encompassing various forms of physical coverings:
* **General Covering:** Any object or material that serves to cover something else.
* **Garment/Clothing:** Specifically, an item of apparel worn on the body, providing modesty, warmth, or protection.
* **Coverlet:** A blanket or spread used for a bed.
* **Awning:** A protective covering from the sun or elements.
* **Anatomical Covering:** In a specialized medical context, it refers to the omentum, the fatty membrane that covers the intestines.
This range highlights the word's versatility, applying to both mundane and sacred contexts, always retaining the core sense of an overlying layer for protection, concealment, or adornment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of `{{H4374}}` in the Hebrew Bible illustrate its diverse applications:
* **Tabernacle Coverings:** In the construction of the Tabernacle, `{{H4374}}` is used to describe the outer coverings for the sacred dwelling. For instance, [[Exodus 26:14]] refers to the covering of rams' skins dyed red and badgers' skins (or dugong skins), which provided both protection and a visual boundary for the holy space. Similarly, [[Numbers 4:6]], [[Numbers 4:8]], [[Numbers 4:11-12]], and [[Numbers 4:14]] detail the various mᵉkaççeh used to cover the holy furnishings—the ark, table of showbread, lampstand, altars, and other vessels—during their transport, emphasizing their sanctity and the need for reverent handling.
* **Domestic Coverings:** [[Isaiah 28:20]] employs `{{H4374}}` to describe a bed covering, illustrating a common domestic item: "For the bed is too short to stretch oneself on, and the blanket [mᵉkaççeh] too narrow to wrap oneself in." This verse uses the inadequacy of a physical covering as a metaphor for the spiritual and political distress of Judah.
* **Anatomical Covering:** In sacrificial regulations, `{{H4374}}` precisely identifies the "fat that covers the entrails" or the omentum, which was to be offered to the Lord. [[Leviticus 3:3-4]] and [[Leviticus 9:19]] provide examples, indicating a precise anatomical understanding within the ancient Israelite context and its role in ritual purity and offering.
* **Metaphorical Covering:** While less direct, the root `{{H3680}}` from which `{{H4374}}` derives is frequently used metaphorically for divine protection or concealment. Though `{{H4374}}` itself is usually concrete, its semantic field allows for an understanding of the protective aspect of a covering, which can extend to divine care.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical relative of `{{H4374}}` is its root verb, `{{H3680}}` (kāsāh), meaning "to cover, conceal, or hide." This root is pervasive in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in contexts ranging from covering nakedness [[Genesis 3:7]] to covering sin [[Psalm 32:1]] and covering the earth with water [[Genesis 7:19]].
Other related words include:
* `{{H899}}` (beged): A general term for "garment" or "clothing." While `{{H4374}}` can mean "garment," beged is a more common and broader term for apparel.
* `{{H3830}}` (levush): Another common word for "clothing" or "apparel," often referring to official or ceremonial garments.
* `{{H5641}}` (sātar): To hide, conceal, or be hidden. This verb shares the concept of concealment with kāsāh, though sātar often implies a more active act of hiding or being hidden.
* `{{H3722}}` (kāphar): To atone, make propitiation, or literally "to cover over" sin. While etymologically distinct from kāsāh, the concept of "covering" sin for reconciliation is a profound theological parallel to the physical act of covering.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4374}}` is multifaceted, touching upon themes of divine provision, holiness, and human vulnerability.
* **Divine Provision and Protection:** The ultimate act of God providing a mᵉkaççeh for humanity is seen in [[Genesis 3:21]], where God clothes Adam and Eve with tunics of skin. This act of covering their nakedness after the Fall signifies divine grace, providing both physical protection and a covering for their shame, anticipating the need for atonement. The Tabernacle coverings also symbolize God's protective presence among His people, shielding the holy from common view and emphasizing His dwelling place.
* **Holiness and Separation:** The meticulous instructions for the mᵉkaççeh of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings [[Numbers 4]] underscore the profound holiness of God and the objects dedicated to His service. These coverings served not merely as protection but as a physical manifestation of the boundary between the sacred and the profane, ensuring that God's holy presence was approached with reverence and according to His prescribed order.
* **Human Vulnerability and Dependence:** The need for a mᵉkaççeh—whether for warmth, modesty, or protection from the elements—highlights human vulnerability and dependence on both natural resources and divine provision. The inadequacy of a covering in [[Isaiah 28:20]] serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual and political destitution, illustrating that without God's true "covering," human efforts are insufficient.
* **Ritual Purity:** The specific mention of the mᵉkaççeh (omentum) in sacrificial rites [[Leviticus 3:3-4]] points to the meticulous nature of Israelite worship and the concept of offering the best and prescribed parts to God, symbolizing complete dedication and purity in worship.
### Summary
`{{H4374}}` (mᵉkaççeh) is a Hebrew noun derived from `{{H3680}}` (kāsāh), meaning "a covering." Its semantic range is broad, encompassing general coverings, garments, bed coverings, awnings, and even anatomical membranes (omentum). Biblical occurrences demonstrate its use in practical, cultic, and metaphorical contexts, from the Tabernacle's outer layers [[Exodus 26:14]] and the coverings for sacred articles during transport [[Numbers 4:6]] to domestic items [[Isaiah 28:20]] and sacrificial animal parts [[Leviticus 3:3-4]]. Theologically, `{{H4374}}` points to themes of divine provision and protection (as seen in God clothing Adam and Eve [[Genesis 3:21]]), the holiness and separation of sacred spaces and objects, and human vulnerability. It underscores the significance of physical coverings as symbols of spiritual realities, reflecting God's order, care, and the boundaries of His holy presence.
TRV