Covert
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Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, the term "covert" refers to a place of shelter, protection, or hiding. It is often used metaphorically to describe God's protection over His people. The concept of a covert is significant in understanding the nature of divine refuge and the assurance of safety provided by God to those who trust in Him.

Old Testament Usage

The Hebrew word often translated as "covert" is "סֵ֫תֶר" (seter), which means a hiding place or shelter. This term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament to describe both physical and spiritual protection.

One notable instance is found in Isaiah 4:6, which states, "There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain." Here, the covert is depicted as a divine provision, offering protection from the elements, symbolizing God's care and provision for His people.

In Isaiah 32:2, the prophet describes a righteous leader as "a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in a dry land, like the shade of a great rock in a thirsty land." This imagery emphasizes the protective and sustaining role of a godly leader, akin to the protection God provides.

Psalms and Wisdom Literature

The Psalms frequently employ the imagery of a covert to express trust in God's protection. Psalm 61:4 declares, "Let me dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings." This verse uses the metaphor of a bird's wings to convey the safety and security found in God's presence.

Similarly, Psalm 91:1-2 states, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" This passage highlights the covert as a place of divine refuge, emphasizing the believer's confidence in God's protection.

Prophetic Literature

In the prophetic books, the concept of a covert is often associated with the messianic hope and the restoration of Israel. Ezekiel 34:25-26 speaks of a future covenant of peace, where God promises to provide a secure and prosperous environment for His people: "I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of wild animals, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the forests."

New Testament Implications

While the specific term "covert" is not commonly used in the New Testament, the concept of divine protection and refuge is prevalent. Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate source of spiritual shelter and salvation. In Matthew 23:37, Jesus laments over Jerusalem, saying, "How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling." This imagery echoes the Old Testament theme of God as a protective shelter.

Theological Significance

The idea of a covert in the Bible underscores the assurance of God's protection and care for His people. It serves as a reminder of the security found in a relationship with God, who is depicted as a refuge and fortress. This theme resonates with believers who seek comfort and safety in the midst of life's challenges, trusting in God's unwavering presence and protection.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (a.) Concealed; private; secret; disguised; as, covert actions.

2. (v. t.) Sheltered; not open or exposed; retired; protected; as, a covert nook.

3. (v. t.) Under cover, authority or protection; as, a feme covert, a married woman who is considered as being under the protection and control of her husband.

4. (n.) A place that covers and protects; a shelter; a defense.

5. (a.) One of the special feathers covering the bases of the quills of the wings and tail of a bird.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
COVERT

kuv'-ert: Now seldom used, except for game, and then generally spelt "cover." "A covered way" (2 Kings 16:18 the King James Version); also a shelter of any kind (Isaiah 4:6); "a hiding place," "a lair," "a hut" (Job 38:40); "a place of secrecy," "a secret way" (1 Samuel 25:20 Job 40:21 Psalm 61:4 Isaiah 16:4; Isaiah 32:2); "a den," "a lair" (Jeremiah 25:38).

Strong's Hebrew
5520. sok -- a thicket, covert, lair
... 5519, 5520. sok. 5521 . a thicket, covert, lair. Transliteration: sok
Phonetic Spelling: (soke) Short Definition: tabernacle. Word ...
/hebrew/5520.htm - 6k

695. ereb -- a lying in wait, a covert, lair
... 694, 695. ereb. 696 . a lying in wait, a covert, lair. Transliteration:
ereb Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-reb) Short Definition: lair. ...
/hebrew/695.htm - 6k

5521. sukkah -- a thicket, booth
... booth, cottage, covert, pavilion, tabernacle, tent. Fem of cok; a hut or lair --
booth, cottage, covert, pavilion, tabernacle, tent. see HEBREW cok. ...
/hebrew/5521.htm - 6k

5643. cether -- a covering, hiding place, secrecy
... Definition: backbiting. backbiting, covering, covert, disguise, hiding place,
protection, secretly, Or (feminine) cithrah (Deut. 32 ...
/hebrew/5643.htm - 5k

2665. chephes -- a device, plot
... Word Origin from chaphas Definition a device, plot NASB Word Usage plot (1). search.
From chaphas; something covert, ie A trick -- search. see HEBREW chaphas. ...
/hebrew/2665.htm - 6k

4329. mesak -- portico
... Word Origin see musak. portico From cakak; a portico (as covered) -- covert. see
HEBREW cakak. 4328, 4329. mesak. 4330 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4329.htm - 5k

3858. lahat -- a flame
... flaming, enchantment From lahat; a blaze; also (from the idea of enwrapping) magic
(as covert) -- flaming, enchantment. see HEBREW lahat. 3857, 3858. ...
/hebrew/3858.htm - 5k

4679. metsad -- fastness, a stronghold
... Or mtsad {mets-awd'}; or (feminine) mtsadah {mets-aw-daw'}; from tsuwd; a fastness
(as a covert of ambush) -- castle, fort, (strong) hold, munition. ...
/hebrew/4679.htm - 6k

4563. mistor -- place of shelter
... Word Origin from sathar Definition place of shelter NASB Word Usage protection
(1). refuge. From cathar; a refuge -- covert. see HEBREW cathar. 4562, 4563. ...
/hebrew/4563.htm - 6k

4565. mistar -- a secret place, hiding place
... secretly, place. From cathar; properly, a concealer, ie A covert -- secret(-ly,
place). see HEBREW cathar. 4564, 4565. mistar. 4566 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4565.htm - 6k

Library

John Chapter viii. 12
... Follow on in the same psalm: "But the sons of men shall hope under the covert of
Thy wings." Having now a salvation in common with their cattle, "the sons of ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxxiv john chapter viii.htm

December 1 Morning
... DECEMBER 1 MORNING. A man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and
a covert from the tempest."ISA.32:2. Forasmuch . . . as ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/december 1 morning.htm

Accession of Cyrus to the Throne.
... expressed no resentment, still he had secretly felt an extreme indignation and anger,
and he had now, for fifteen years, been nourishing covert schemes and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter v accession of cyrus.htm

The Hiding-Place
... THE HIDING-PLACE. 'And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert
from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the hiding-place.htm

Journey to Jerusalem. Ten Lepers. Concerning the Kingdom.
... or, There! for, lo, the kingdom of God is within you. [Romans 14:17. The
question of the Pharisees was doubtless a covert criticism. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcv journey to jerusalem ten.htm

Letter C
... Received 1816 * Covel, Samuel "Received 1821 * Covel, Zenas "Received 1801, Located
1810 * Covenhoven, Peter "Received 1810 * Covert, Morris "Received ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter c.htm

Tennessee Justifying Her Procedure.
... deceived. If there are errors in this confession, why should any man who
has discovered them yet pretend to preach under its covert? ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/tennessee justifying her procedure.htm

A Prince's Bride
... birds sang with poignant sweetness while the new-budded limbs of the oleanders tilted
suddenly under their weight as they circled from covert to covert. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter i a princes bride.htm

Book iv. --Of Marcion's Antitheses.
... 15 Large grace hath poured profusely; and to ope. To the saints' eyes the Bandit's
[1546] covert plague: Lest any untrained, daring, ignorant,. ...
/.../book iv of marcions antitheses.htm

The Revolt of Babylon.
... These measures were all concerted and carried into effect in the most covert and
secret manner; and the tidings came at last to Susa that Babylon had openly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter vii the revolt of.htm

Thesaurus
Covert (18 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Concealed; private; secret; disguised; as, covert actions. 2. (vt) Sheltered;
not open or exposed; retired; protected; as, a covert nook. ...COVERT. ...
/c/covert.htm - 12k

Lair (8 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Psalms 10:9 He lurketh in secret as a lion in his covert; He lieth in
wait to catch the poor: He doth catch the poor, when he draweth him in his net. ...
/l/lair.htm - 8k

Den (19 Occurrences)
... 11:8), "a light-hole," from 'or, "light," perhaps for me`arah; cokh (Psalm 10:9
the King James Version), and cukkah (Job 38:40), "a covert," elsewhere "booth ...
/d/den.htm - 16k

Marsh (4 Occurrences)
... Can the flag grow without water?" and in Job 40:21 (of the behemoth), "He lieth
under the lotus-trees, In the covert of the reed, and the fen (bitstsah)." In 1 ...
/m/marsh.htm - 9k

Spring (122 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To issue with speed and violence; to move with activity; to dart; to
shoot. 3. (vi) To start or rise suddenly, as from a covert. ...
/s/spring.htm - 40k

Reed (41 Occurrences)
... the top of every reed. The "covert of the reed" (Job 40:21) shelters a large
amount of animal and bird life. This reed will answer ...
/r/reed.htm - 29k

Covers (50 Occurrences)

/c/covers.htm - 19k

Shadow (72 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 4:6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the
heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain. ...
/s/shadow.htm - 35k

Hiding (53 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 32:2 A man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the
storm, as streams of water in a dry place, as the shade of a large rock in a ...
/h/hiding.htm - 21k

Oppressing (11 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 25:38 He has left his covert, as the lion; for their land is become an
astonishment because of the fierceness of the oppressing sword, and because of ...
/o/oppressing.htm - 10k

Resources
Is neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) compatible with the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.org

What is spiritual abuse? | GotQuestions.org

What is post-theism? | GotQuestions.org

Covert: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Covert (18 Occurrences)

1 Samuel 25:20
It was so, as she rode on her donkey, and came down by the covert of the mountain, that behold, David and his men came down toward her; and she met them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

2 Kings 16:18
And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.
(KJV WBS)

Job 37:8
Then the beasts go into coverts, and remain in their dens.
(Root in JPS ASV YLT)

Job 38:40
When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
(KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT RSV)

Job 40:21
He lies under the lotus trees, in the covert of the reed, and the marsh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Psalms 10:9
He lurketh in secret as a lion in his covert; He lieth in wait to catch the poor: He doth catch the poor, when he draweth him in his net.
(ASV YLT RSV)

Psalms 27:5
For in the day of trouble he will keep me secretly in his pavilion. In the covert of his tabernacle he will hide me. He will lift me up on a rock.
(WEB JPS ASV)

Psalms 31:20
In the covert of thy presence wilt thou hide them from the plottings of man: Thou wilt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
(ASV JPS RSV)

Psalms 61:4
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Psalms 91:1
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
(See JPS)

Psalms 119:114
Thou art my hiding-place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
(See JPS)

Song of Songs 2:14
O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, In the covert of the steep place, Let me see thy countenance, Let me hear thy voice; For sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
(ASV DBY JPS RSV)

Isaiah 4:6
And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Isaiah 16:4
Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Isaiah 32:2
A man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the storm, as streams of water in a dry place, as the shade of a large rock in a weary land.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Jeremiah 4:6
Set up a standard toward Zion: flee for safety, stay not; for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
(See JPS)

Jeremiah 6:1
Flee for safety, ye children of Benjamin, out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise up a signal on Beth-haccherem; for evil looketh forth from the north, and a great destruction.
(See JPS)

Jeremiah 25:38
He has left his covert, as the lion; for their land is become an astonishment because of the fierceness of the oppressing sword, and because of his fierce anger.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Subtopics

Covert

Related Terms

Covert (18 Occurrences)

Watchers (16 Occurrences)

Conducted (14 Occurrences)

Coverts (2 Occurrences)

Stab (1 Occurrence)

Covers
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