עָטָה (a.tah)
a.tah
to enwrap; to grasp
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb a.tah primarily means to wrap oneself in something, often describing the act of covering one’s body or face. In contexts of mourning, it specifically refers to covering the beard as a sign of grief or shame. This physical action serves as a visible marker of internal sorrow, where the individual envelops themselves in garments or dust to express their distress.
While its core sense is wrapping, the word also carries the nuance of grasping or seizing. This dual meaning connects the external act of covering with an internal holding or taking hold of a situation. For instance, Isaiah uses it to describe God wrapping shame upon someone (Isaiah 22:17), illustrating how the concept extends beyond simple clothing to encompass the imposition of a state or condition.
Translators often render a.tah as "cover" or "wrap," depending on whether the focus is on the physical act or the resulting state. The word appears most frequently in Psalms, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, where it helps convey the tangible reality of grief and humiliation. By using this verb, biblical writers emphasize that mourning is not just an emotion but a bodily practice, visible to all who witness the wrapped figure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we feel overwhelmed by shame or grief, it is natural to want to hide. The Hebrew word a.tah captures this instinct to wrap oneself in garments or cover one’s face as a visible sign of internal sorrow. It reminds us that our pain is often physical and tangible, something others can see when we are distressed. In the Psalms, believers ask God to cover their enemies with disgrace, while also celebrating how God Himself covers Himself with light.
This word teaches us that mourning is not just an emotion but a bodily practice. It validates the human experience of feeling exposed or vulnerable. Yet, there is hope in the contrast: while we may feel wrapped in shame, Scripture shows God wrapping Himself in righteousness and salvation. We do not have to carry our burdens alone; He offers protection and dignity even when we feel most exposed.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- may they cover themselves1×
- like/ a veiled [woman]1×
- he will cover1×
- he delouses1×
- completely <to grasp>1×
- and/ they will cover1×
- and/ may they be wrapped1×
- and/ he wrapped himself1×
- and/ he will delouse1×
- and/ [is] about to grasp/ you1×
- [you are] wrapping yourself1×
- [which] he wraps himself1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יַעְטֶ֑ה2×
- עֹטֶ֖ה1×
- עֹֽטֶה\־1×
- עָטֹֽה\׃1×
- כְּ/עֹ֣טְיָ֔ה1×
- יַעְטֶ֤ה1×
- יַֽעֲט֣וּ1×
- וַ/יַּ֥עַט1×
- וְ/עֹטְ/ךָ֖1×
- וְ/עָטָה֩1×
- וְ/עָט֥וּ1×
- וְ/יַעֲט֖וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 109:29
Let my adversaries be clothed with dishonor. Let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.
This verse uses the word to describe adversaries being clothed with dishonor, showing how the term can symbolize a state of shame imposed by God.
-
Isaiah 59:17
He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head. He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a mantle.
Here the word describes God putting on righteousness as a breastplate, illustrating its use for divine protection and moral authority rather than human grief.
-
Psalms 104:2
He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain.
The psalmist uses this verb to depict God covering Himself with light, highlighting its application to divine majesty and glory.
-
Leviticus 13:45
“The leper in whom the plague is shall wear torn clothes, and the hair of his head shall hang loose. He shall cover his upper lip, and shall cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’
This law requires a leper to cover his upper lip, demonstrating the word’s role in marking ritual impurity and social separation.