περικαλύπτω (perikaluptō)
perikaluptō
to cover
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb perikaluptō describes an action of covering something completely, often with the sense of enclosing or veiling it entirely. Its components suggest a thoroughness: peri means "around," and kaluptō means "to cover." This combination implies that nothing is left exposed; the subject is fully concealed from view.
In the New Testament, this word appears in only three verses, all describing physical acts of concealment during intense moments. In Mark 14:65 and Luke 22:64, it details how Jesus was blindfolded or covered by those who arrested Him. The imagery is stark and immediate, focusing on the removal of sight through a literal covering rather than a metaphorical state of ignorance.
Hebrews 9:4 uses the passive form to describe the mercy seat being covered with gold. Here, the word emphasizes the precious material that enveloped the ark's lid, highlighting its honor and separation. The term does not suggest hiding something shameful, but rather protecting or adorning what is inside with a complete layer.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word perikaluptō describes a covering so complete that nothing remains exposed. In the Gospels, we see this used in the painful moments of Jesus’ arrest, where His face was covered by those who held Him captive. This physical act of concealment highlights the depth of His humiliation and the darkness that surrounded Him at that hour.
Yet, Hebrews presents a different picture using the same root. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold on all sides, a covering that signified honor, purity, and God’s presence. Here, the covering does not hide shame but protects and adorns what is holy.
Your faith journey may feel like times when you are obscured or misunderstood, much like Jesus in the garden. But there is also a promise of being covered by grace. Just as the Ark was fully enveloped in gold, God’s love surrounds us completely, shielding our hearts with His glory rather than leaving us exposed to fear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to cover up1×
- having blindfolded1×
- covered around1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- περικεκαλυμμένην1×
- περικαλύψαντες1×
- περικαλύπτειν1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 14:65
Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, “Prophesy!” The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.
This verse uses the word to describe the physical act of covering Jesus' face, emphasizing the humiliation and sensory deprivation He endured during His trial.
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Luke 22:64
Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?”
Here the term refers to blindfolding Jesus, highlighting the deliberate concealment of His sight to mock His ability to prophesy.
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Hebrews 9:4
having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;
The passive form describes the Ark being overlaid with gold on all sides, signifying total consecration and the protective honor given to God's holy presence.