Lexical Summary
lut: To wrap closely, to envelop, to cover
Original Word:לוּט
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:luwt
Pronunciation:loot
Phonetic Spelling:(loot)
KJV: cast, wrap
NASB:wrapped
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to wrap up
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
cast, wrap
A primitive root; to wrap up -- cast, wrap.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto wrap closely or tightly, enwrap, envelop
NASB Translationwrapped (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] (Arabic
cleave, stick to a thing; also transitive
make to stick, or
adhere); —
Perfect3masculine singular2 Samuel 19:15 (so read, for , We Klo Dr Bu);Participle activeIsaiah 25:7 (compare Köi. 445);Passive participle feminine1 Samuel 21:10; —1 Samuel 21:10 it iswrapped up in a garment (of sword of Goliath); figurative of covering as sign of mourning,Isaiah 25:7the surface of covering which covereth over all the peoples "" .
Imperfect envelope, wrap1 Kings 19:13.
Topical Lexicon
Root Concept of EnvelopmentThe Hebrew verb expresses the idea of being wrapped, enveloped, or veiled. Whether referring to an object, a person, or an entire people group, the action always conveys something hidden from immediate view—either for protection, reverence, or, in the prophetic sense, temporary obscurity awaiting removal by God.
Canonical Occurrences
•1 Samuel 21:9 (English numbering) – Goliath’s sword is “wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod.” The weapon David once wielded is now concealed in the sanctuary, set apart but ready for fresh service at a critical moment.
•1 Kings 19:13 – Elijah, hearing the “still small voice,” “wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” The covering underscores awe before divine presence.
•Isaiah 25:7 – “On this mountain He will swallow up the covering that is over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations”. The global “veil” points to spiritual blindness that God promises to remove.
Historical and Literary Setting
In Samuel, the wrapped sword appears during David’s flight, linking concealment with preservation for God-ordained purposes. In Kings, the prophet Elijah at Horeb embodies the tension of intimacy and distance—drawing near yet veiled. Isaiah projects the metaphor onto a worldwide stage in an eschatological hymn of triumph; here the covering no longer protects but restricts, so God destroys it.
Symbolic and Theological Themes
1. Holiness and Access
• The wrapped sword behind the ephod occupied sacred space. Holiness often necessitates concealment until God grants access.
• Elijah’s veiled face mirrors Moses covering his own (Exodus 34:33) and anticipates Paul’s discussion of the veil lifted in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:14-16).
2. Revelation and Removal
• Isaiah shifts the motif from sanctuary to salvation: what once preserved will one day be removed so that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6).
• The decisive act of “swallowing up” the veil foreshadows the tearing of the temple curtain at the crucifixion (Matthew 27:51).
3. Protection versus Obstruction
• A covering can shield from premature exposure to glory (Elijah) or conserve a consecrated object (Goliath’s sword).
• Yet the same concept can describe humanity’s spiritual stupor until the Messiah unveils truth.
Ministry Implications
• Worship: Reverent humility before God’s holiness remains appropriate; at the same time believers celebrate unveiled access through Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22).
• Evangelism: Isaiah’s promise energizes missions. Pray and labor for God to lift the veil from minds darkened by the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:3-6).
• Pastoral Care: Seasons of hiddenness may preserve gifts and callings until God’s timing, as with David’s sword. Encourage saints in obscurity that their purpose remains secure.
Christological Fulfillment
The ultimate removal of every spiritual covering is achieved in Jesus Christ, whose incarnation revealed the Father (John 1:18) and whose atonement grants open access. Isaiah’s mountain finds fulfillment at Calvary and consummation in the New Jerusalem, where “the dwelling place of God is with man” (Revelation 21:3), with no veil remaining.
Summary
From a wrapped sword, to a veiled prophet, to a promised global unveiling, the term traces a trajectory from concealment to revelation. Scripture consistently moves from guarded holiness to gracious accessibility, culminating in the person and work of Christ, who both respected the veil and removed it forever for all who believe.
Forms and Transliterations
הַלּ֖וֹט הלוט וַיָּ֤לֶט וילט לוּטָ֣ה לוטה hal·lō·wṭ halLot hallōwṭ lū·ṭāh luTah lūṭāh vaiYalet way·yā·leṭ wayyāleṭ
Links
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