2644. chapha

Lexicon

chapha: To cover, overlay

Original Word: חָפָא
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chapha'
Pronunciation: khaw-faw'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-faw')
Definition: To cover, overlay
Meaning: to cover, to act covertly

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

do secretly

An orthographical variation of chaphah; properly, to cover, i.e. (in a sinister sense) to act covertly -- do secretly.

see HEBREW chaphah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to do secretly
NASB Translation
did...secretly (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[חָפָא] verb do secretly (properly cover, = חפה, q. v.); — only

Pi`el Imperfect וַיְחַמְּאוּד֗֗֗ברים and they did things secretly 2 Kings 17:9.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G294 (ἀνακαλύπτω, anakalyptō): This Greek term means to uncover or reveal. It serves as an antonym to the concept of covering or concealing, as expressed by חָפָא. In the New Testament, ἀνακαλύπτω is used to describe the act of unveiling or making known what was previously hidden, aligning with the theme of revelation and truth.

Usage: The verb חָפָא (chafah) is used in the context of covering or concealing something. It implies an action that is done in secret or with the intention of hiding.

Context: The Hebrew verb חָפָא (chafah) appears in the Old Testament with the primary meaning of covering or concealing. This term is often associated with actions that are done in secrecy or with the intent to hide something from view. The concept of covering in the Hebrew Bible can have both literal and metaphorical implications, ranging from physical concealment to the idea of hiding one's intentions or actions.

In the context of biblical usage, חָפָא can be seen in narratives where individuals or groups attempt to hide their deeds or protect themselves from exposure. The act of covering is not merely physical but can also pertain to the concealment of truth or the masking of one's true motives. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of light versus darkness, where actions done in secret are often contrasted with those done openly and in truth.

The verb חָפָא is relatively rare in the Hebrew Bible, which suggests that its usage is specific and intentional, often highlighting the moral or ethical dimensions of concealment. The act of covering, as expressed by חָפָא, can be viewed in both negative and positive lights, depending on the context—whether it is used to protect and preserve or to deceive and mislead.

Forms and Transliterations

וַיְחַפְּא֣וּ ויחפאו vaychappeU way·ḥap·pə·’ū wayḥappə’ū

Englishman's Concordance

2 Kings 17:9
HEB: וַיְחַפְּא֣וּ בְנֵֽי־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
NAS: The sons of Israel did things secretly
KJV: of Israel did secretly [those] things
INT: did the sons of Israel

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 2644
1 Occurrence

way·ḥap·pə·’ū — 1 Occ.