עָטָה

ʻâṭâh /aw-taw'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto wrap, i.e. cover, veil, cloth, or roll
KJV usagearray self, be clad, (put a) cover (-ing, self), fill, put on, turn aside.
Idioms & phrasesidiom surely
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻâṭâh, represented by H5844, is a primitive root meaning to wrap, cover, veil, or roll. It appears 17 times across 15 unique verses in the Bible. While its core meaning relates to physical covering, it extends figuratively to concepts such as being clad in an attribute, being filled, or even turning aside.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H5844 is used to convey a range of actions and states. Literally, it describes the ritual requirement for a leper to put a covering upon his upper lip Leviticus 13:45. In a display of prophetic symbolism, prophets are told to cover their lips as a sign of being confounded Micah 3:7. The word is also used metaphorically to depict divine action, as when God is clad with zeal as a cloak Isaiah 59:17 or when he promises to array himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd puts on his garment Jeremiah 43:12. In a unique instance, it describes how the rain filleth the pools in a valley Psalms 84:6.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help illustrate the semantic field of covering and clothing:

  • H3847 lâbash: This root word means to put on a garment or clothe oneself or another. It is often used to describe being arrayed in salvation, righteousness, or strength (Isaiah 61:10, Isaiah 52:1).
  • H4598 mᵉʻîyl: This noun refers to a robe, cloke, coat, or mantle. It is the specific garment that Samuel is covered with 1 Samuel 28:14 and the item used as a metaphor for being covered in confusion Psalms 109:29.
  • H3639 kᵉlimmâh: This word for disgrace, confusion, dishonour, reproach, or shame is often the state that one is covered with. It describes the dishonor that adversaries are to be clothed with (Psalms 109:29, Psalms 71:13).

Theological Significance

The imagery associated with H5844 carries significant weight, illustrating both divine attributes and human conditions.

  • Divine Attire: The word is used to describe God's majestic appearance and readiness for action. He coverest himself with light as with a garment Psalms 104:2 and is clad with zeal as a cloke when enacting vengeance Isaiah 59:17.
  • Sign of Judgment and Shame: To be covered often signifies disgrace. Adversaries are to be covered with reproach and dishonor Psalms 71:13, and God's shortened blessing results in being covered with shame Psalms 89:45.
  • Mourning and Ritual: Covering the lower face is a sign of ceremonial uncleanness Leviticus 13:45 or of being confounded with no answer from God Micah 3:7. Ezekiel is commanded not to cover his lips, a direct contrast that emphasizes the unique nature of his message (Ezekiel 24:17, Ezekiel 24:22).

Summary

In summary, H5844 provides a rich and versatile concept of "covering." It moves beyond the simple act of putting on a garment to paint vivid pictures of divine glory, righteous judgment, and human emotion. Whether describing God clothing Himself in light, a leper performing a ritual act, or an adversary being enveloped in shame, ʻâṭâh demonstrates how a single word can convey being thoroughly wrapped in a physical, emotional, or spiritual reality.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 17 occurrences, inflected in 14 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Perfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Conjunction+Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Absolute 1×

+ 2 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 15 verses across 8 books. Most frequent in Psalms (6 verses).

1
Leviticus
1
1 Samuel
6
Psalms
1
Song of Solomon
2
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah
2
Ezekiel
1
Micah

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