כָּסוּי (ka.suy)
ka.suy
covering
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun kasey means a covering or an outer layer. It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in Numbers. In these passages, it refers to the protective sheets used to wrap the sacred objects of the tabernacle during travel.
Its usage is strictly functional. The word describes the physical barrier that shielded holy items from view and damage while they were being moved through the wilderness. It does not carry metaphorical weight here; it simply denotes the material layer placed over something else for protection.
Translators consistently render it as "covering" or "outer covering." The term highlights the care taken to conceal the sanctity of the tabernacle furnishings from those who were not priests. This practical detail underscores the order and reverence required in Israel's worship practices during their journey.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kasey appears only twice in Scripture, describing the physical coverings placed over the tabernacle’s sacred items during Israel’s journey through the wilderness. These layers of sealskin and blue cloth served a practical purpose: protecting holy objects from dust, damage, and unauthorized view while they were being moved. This detail highlights the reverence and order required in worship, showing that even the most mundane tasks carried spiritual significance.
For your faith life, this reminds us that God cares about the details of how we honor Him. Just as the Israelites carefully covered the tabernacle furnishings, you can approach your daily duties with intentionality and respect. Whether in quiet prayer or public service, every act done with care reflects a heart aligned with God’s holiness. This small but meaningful practice invites you to see your ordinary moments as opportunities for worship.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a covering of2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּסוּי֙1×
- כְּס֛וּי1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 4:6
put a covering of sealskin on it, spread a blue cloth over it, and put in its poles.
This verse specifies the blue cloth placed over the table of showbread, illustrating how different coverings were used for distinct sacred items.
-
Numbers 4:14
They shall put on it all its vessels with which they minister about it, the fire pans, the meat hooks, the shovels, and the basins—all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread on it a covering of sealskin, and put in its poles.
Here the covering is applied to the altar and its vessels, showing that even tools of sacrifice required protection during transit.