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H5526

סָכַךְ

çâkak /saw-kak'/ Ask about this word
or שָׂכַךְ
(Exodus 33:22), a primitive root; properly, to entwine as ascreen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect
cover, defence, defend, hedge in, join together, set, shut up.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of çâkak — 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 çâkak, represented by H5526, is a primitive root used to mean entwine as a screen, fence in, cover over, or protect. It appears 24 times across 23 unique verses. Its definition extends to concepts of being a defence, to defend, hedge in, join together, set, or shut up, conveying a range of meanings from physical screening to the abstract idea of divine protection.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H5526 is used in several key contexts. It signifies divine protection, as when God promises to cover Moses with His hand in a clift of the rock Exodus 33:22 or when the psalmist declares that God has covered his head in the day of battle Psalms 140:7. The word is also central to the description of sacred objects, where the cherubim are instructed to cover the mercy seat with their wings Exodus 25:20. Figuratively, it can describe divine constraint, as when Job feels God has hedged in his way Job 3:23, or sovereign action, as when God promises to set Egyptians against each other Isaiah 19:2.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide deeper context for the act of covering and protection:

  • H3742 kᵉrûwb (cherub): This term for an imaginary figure is frequently linked with çâkak. The cherubims are instructed to stretch out their wings, covering the mercy seat Exodus 25:20. In Ezekiel, a cherub is described as the one "that covereth" Ezekiel 28:14.
  • H3671 kânâph (wing): This word is instrumental in the act of covering. God's protection is expressed as trusting under his wings Psalms 91:4, and the cherubim use their wings to cover the ark of the covenant 1 Kings 8:7.
  • H6532 pôreketh (vail): This term for a sacred screen is used in parallel with çâkak. The vail was used to cover the ark of the testimony Exodus 40:3, separating the holy place.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5526 is significant, illustrating God's relationship with humanity in both mercy and judgment.

  • Sanctuary and Holiness: In the tabernacle, the act of covering the mercy seat signifies the profound holiness of God's presence and the need for a sacred separation (Exodus 25:20, Exodus 40:3).
  • Divine Refuge: The word is a powerful metaphor for God as a defender. He is a shield who defendest those who trust in Him Psalms 5:11. This protection is intimate, starting from the womb where God covered the psalmist Psalms 139:13.
  • Sovereign Judgment: Conversely, çâkak can represent a divine barrier. God covered Himself with a cloud so prayer could not pass through Lamentations 3:44 and covered His people with anger Lamentations 3:43, showing a severe aspect of being screened off.

Summary

In summary, H5526 is far more than a simple term for covering. It is a word rich with theological implications, describing the sacred screening within the Tabernacle, the intimate protection God offers the faithful, and the severe act of divine judgment. From the wings of the cherubim Ezekiel 28:14 to the shadow of a tree Job 40:22, çâkak illustrates how a single concept of covering can signify God's holiness, His protective care, and His sovereign authority.

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 and a noun across 24 occurrences, inflected in 17 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.

  • יָּסֶךְ
  • סֹכְכִים
  • סַכֹּתָה
  • סּוֹכֵךְ
  • תָסֵךְ
  • יָסֶךְ
  • הָסֵךְ
  • מֵסִיךְ
  • סִכְסַכְתִּי
  • תְּסֹכְכֵ
  • יְסַכְסֵךְ
  • יָּסֹכּוּ
  • שַׂכֹּתִי
  • סַכֹּתָ
  • תְּסֻכֵּ
  • יְסֻכֻּ
  • סֹּכֵךְ

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.

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 23 verses across 11 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Exodus (5 verses); never once in the other 28.

5
Exodus
1
Judges
1
1 Samuel
1
1 Kings
1
1 Chronicles
3
Job
4
Psalms
2
Isaiah
2
Lamentations
2
Ezekiel
1
Nahum

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.