English · KJV
H5968

עָלַף

ʻâlaph /aw-laf'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto veil or cover; figuratively, to be languid
KJV usagefaint, overlaid, wrap self.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻâlaph — 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 ʻâlaph, represented by H5968, is a primitive root with a dual meaning. It can refer literally to the act of veiling or covering, as well as figuratively to a state of being languid or faint. Appearing only 5 times in 5 unique verses, its usage is rare but potent, describing actions ranging from wrapping oneself in a garment to being physically overcome.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H5968 describes both literal actions and figurative states of being. Figuratively, it conveys a profound physical weakness. The sons of Zion are said to have "fainted H5968," being full of the "fury of the LORD" Isaiah 51:20. Similarly, both Jonah and the youth of Israel are depicted as fainting under duress; Jonah "fainted H5968" from the heat of the sun Jonah 4:8, and the young men will "faint H5968 for thirst" Amos 8:13. Literally, the word is used when Tamar "wrapped herself H5968" as part of a disguise Genesis 38:14 and to describe a beautiful object as being "overlaid H5968 with sapphires" Song of Solomon 5:14.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the conditions surrounding the use of H5968:

  • H3680 kâçâh (to cover (for clothing or secrecy)): This word is used in parallel with H5968 when Tamar "covered her H3680 with a vail" before she "wrapped herself H5968," highlighting the theme of concealment Genesis 38:14.
  • H1606 gᵉʻârâh (a chiding; rebuke(-ing), reproof): This term points to a cause of the figurative fainting. In Isaiah 51:20, the people faint as a direct result of the Lord's fury and "rebuke H1606".
  • H4191 mûwth (to die): This represents the ultimate state that fainting can precede. After Jonah "fainted H5968," he explicitly "wished in himself to die H4191" Jonah 4:8, linking physical collapse with the desire for death.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5968 is found in its portrayal of human frailty and response to external forces.

  • The Physicality of Judgment: The act of fainting is presented as a tangible consequence of divine action. The sons of Zion do not merely feel sorrow; they physically faint from the "fury H2534 of the LORD" Isaiah 51:20. Jonah's fainting spell is also a direct result of the sun and "vehement east wind" that God prepared Jonah 4:8.
  • Covering for Adornment and Deception: The literal use of H5968 shows a duality. It can signify beauty and value, as when an object is "overlaid H5968 with sapphires" Song of Solomon 5:14. Conversely, it can be an act of concealment, as when Tamar "wrapped herself H5968" to hide her identity Genesis 38:14.
  • Humanity Overwhelmed: The word consistently illustrates the limits of human strength. Even "fair virgins and young men" are shown to "faint H5968 for thirst" Amos 8:13, demonstrating that none are immune to the effects of extreme hardship.

Summary

In summary, H5968 is a specific and descriptive term that carries both a literal and a figurative meaning. While its occurrences are few, it powerfully depicts the concepts of covering and fainting. From the physical act of a woman wrapping herself to the debilitating state of a prophet fainting under God's hand, ʻâlaph illustrates the profound and often physical ways in which individuals react to judgment, hardship, and beauty.

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 6 occurrences, inflected in 6 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.

  • תִּתְעַלָּף
  • יִּתְעַלָּף
  • תִּתְעַלַּפְנָה
  • מְעֻלֶּפֶת
  • עֻלְּפוּ
  • עֻלְפֶּה

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.

H3680 כָּסָה a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad sel H1606 גְּעָרָה from גָּעַר; a chiding; rebuke(-ing), reproof. H4191 מוּת a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (b H2534 חֵמָה or (Daniel 11:44) חֵמָא; from יָחַם; heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever); anger, bottles, hot displeasure

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 5 verses across 5 of the 39 books. 5 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 34.

1
Genesis
1
Song of Solomon
1
Isaiah
1
Amos
1
Jonah

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.