English · KJV
H6809

צָעִיף

tsâʻîyph /tsaw-eef'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom an unused root meaning to wrap over
Meaninga veil
KJV usagevail.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of tsâʻîyph — 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 tsâʻîyph, represented by H6809, translates as a vail. Derived from an unused root meaning to wrap over, this term appears 3 times in 3 unique verses. Its usage, though infrequent, points to its role as a significant article of clothing used for concealment and to signify social status.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H6809 appears exclusively in Genesis, playing a key role in the stories of two matriarchs. In Rebekah's story, upon seeing Isaac, she "took a vail, and covered herself" Genesis 24:65, an act signifying modesty before her future husband. In the narrative of Tamar, the vail is a tool of disguise. She puts off her widow's garments and covers herself with a vail H6809 to conceal her identity Genesis 38:14. Later, she removes the vail and puts back on the garments of her widowhood Genesis 38:19.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of covering and clothing:

  • H3680 kâçâh (to cover): This verb is directly associated with the use of the vail, as when Rebekah "covered herself" Genesis 24:65. It is also used figuratively for covering sin Psalms 32:1.
  • H5968 ʻâlaph (to veil or cover): This term describes how Tamar "wrapped herself" Genesis 38:14 when she put on the vail, emphasizing the act of envelopment.
  • H491 ʼalmânûwth (widowhood): The vail is used to obscure this status, as Tamar puts off her "widow's garments" to wear the vail and later puts on the "garments of her widowhood" Genesis 38:19.
  • H3847 lâbash (to put on a garment): This word describes the act of getting dressed, used when Tamar "put on" her widow's garments again Genesis 38:19. It can also refer to being figuratively clothed with salvation or strength Isaiah 61:10.
  • H899 beged (garment): This general term for clothing is contrasted with the specific vail. Tamar exchanges her "widow's garments" H899 for the vail and back again (Genesis 38:14, Genesis 38:19).

Theological Significance

The significance of H6809 is rooted in its narrative function as a tool for altering perception and identity.

  • Concealment and Disguise: The vail's primary function in the story of Tamar is to hide her true identity, allowing her to execute her plan by being unrecognized Genesis 38:14.
  • Signifier of Modesty: For Rebekah, putting on the vail is an act of propriety and modesty as she approaches her betrothed for the first time Genesis 24:65.
  • Transformation of Status: The act of putting on or taking off the vail H6809 marks a temporary but critical shift in social status, moving from a recognized widow to an anonymous woman and back again Genesis 38:19.

Summary

In summary, H6809 tsâʻîyph is a specific and potent term. While its occurrences are limited to the book of Genesis, it plays a pivotal role in its narratives. It illustrates how an article of clothing can function as a powerful symbol, used to signify modesty, conceal identity, and mark a deliberate transition from one social state to another.

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 noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 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.

  • צָּעִיף
  • צְעִיפָ

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 H5968 עָלַף a primitive root; to veil or cover; figuratively, to be languid; faint, overlaid, wrap self. H491 אַלְמָנוּת feminine of אַלְמָן; concrete, a widow; abstract, widowhood; widow, widowhood. H3847 לָבַשׁ or לָבֵשׁ; a primitive root; properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or anot H899 בֶּגֶד from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment,

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

3 verses, all in Genesis — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.