כָּסָה (ka.sah)
ka.sah
to cover
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 115 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb kāsah means to cover, conceal, or hide. Its basic sense is to fill up hollows or place a layer over something. In Scripture it describes physical covering, such as clothing or protective layers, but also the hiding of things from view.
It appears in many contexts. For example, the earth covers people in Numbers 16:33, and blood is covered with dust in Leviticus 17:13. It can mean to overwhelm, as when waters cover the land in Exodus 15:10. In Proverbs 12:16, a fool’s vexation is covered, showing its use for emotional concealment.
The word carries theological weight too. In Psalm 32:1, God covers sin, putting it out of sight. This usage highlights mercy and forgiveness. Translators often render kāsah as “cover,” “hide,” or “conceal,” depending on context. The verb’s range reflects both physical action and spiritual reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word kāsah describes the simple act of covering something, whether it is a pit to prevent injury or a veil worn for modesty. In daily life, this verb reminds us that our actions have visible consequences. When we neglect responsibility, such as leaving a danger uncovered, harm often follows. Yet Scripture also shows God using this same word to bring care rather than concealment.
Most significantly, kāsah appears in Psalm 32:1 to describe how God covers sin. This is not about hiding evidence from justice, but about the mercy that removes guilt from sight. When you feel exposed by your mistakes, this promise offers relief. God does not ignore wrong, but He chooses to cover it with forgiveness, allowing you to walk forward without shame.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 115 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ cover8×
- which/ covers7×
- and/ it covered6×
- and/ they will cover5×
- it has covered4×
- and/ they covered4×
- it will cover/ you3×
- it will cover3×
- he covers3×
- covered3×
- and/ it will cover3×
- [one who] conceals3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַֽ/מְכַסֶּ֣ה6×
- לְ/כַסּ֗וֹת4×
- יְכַסֶּ֥ה3×
- וְ/כִסּ֣וּ3×
- תְּכַסֶּֽ/ךָּ\׃2×
- תְּכַסֶּ֥ה2×
- מִתְכַּסִּ֖ים2×
- מְכַסֶּ֣ה2×
- כִּסָּה\־2×
- כִּסָּֽה\׃2×
- כִּסָּ֤ה2×
- יְכַסֶּ֑/נּוּ2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 9:23
Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were backwards, and they didn’t see their father’s nakedness.
Shem and Japheth cover their father’s nakedness with a garment, showing how the word applies to acts of respect and protection.
-
Exodus 21:33
“If a man opens a pit, or if a man digs a pit and doesn’t cover it, and a bull or a donkey falls into it,
The law requires digging a pit to be covered, illustrating the practical responsibility to prevent harm to others.
-
Genesis 7:19
The waters rose very high on the earth. All the high mountains that were under the whole sky were covered.
The floodwaters cover the high mountains, demonstrating the word’s use for overwhelming physical forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word kāsah mean?
How is kāsah different from other words for hiding?
Where does kāsah appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (115 verses across 24 books)
Genesis 8 verses
The waters rose very high on the earth. All the high mountains that were under the whole sky were covered.
Genesis 7:20The waters rose fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered.
Genesis 9:23Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of…
Genesis 18:17Yahweh said, “Will I hide from Abraham what I do,
Genesis 24:65She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.”…
Genesis 37:26Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?
Genesis 38:14She took off the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate…
Genesis 38:15When Judah saw her, he thought that she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.