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 UsageThe 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 LiteratureThe 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 LiteratureIn 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 ImplicationsWhile 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 SignificanceThe 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
COVERTkuv'-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 25:20Job 40:21Psalm 61:4Isaiah 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
...695. ereb -- a lying in wait, acovert, lair
... 694, 695. ereb. 696 . a lying in wait, acovert, lair. Transliteration:
ereb Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-reb) Short Definition: lair....
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....
5643. cether -- a covering, hiding place, secrecy
... Definition: backbiting. backbiting, covering,covert, disguise, hiding place,
protection, secretly, Or (feminine) cithrah (Deut. 32...
2665. chephes -- a device, plot
... Word Origin from chaphas Definition a device, plot NASB Word Usage plot (1). search.
From chaphas; somethingcovert, ie A trick -- search. see HEBREW chaphas....
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.
3858. lahat -- a flame
... flaming, enchantment From lahat; a blaze; also (from the idea of enwrapping) magic
(ascovert) -- flaming, enchantment. see HEBREW lahat. 3857, 3858....
4679. metsad -- fastness, a stronghold
... Or mtsad {mets-awd'}; or (feminine) mtsadah {mets-aw-daw'}; from tsuwd; a fastness
(as acovert of ambush) -- castle, fort, (strong) hold, munition....
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....
4565. mistar -- a secret place, hiding place
... secretly, place. From cathar; properly, a concealer, ie Acovert -- secret(-ly,
place). see HEBREW cathar. 4564, 4565. mistar. 4566 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
John Chapter viii. 12
... Follow on in the same psalm: "But the sons of men shall hope under thecovert of
Thy wings." Having now a salvation in common with their cattle, "the sons of...
December 1 Morning
... DECEMBER 1 MORNING. A man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and
acovert from the tempest."ISA.32:2. Forasmuch . . . as...
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 nourishingcovert schemes and...
The Hiding-Place
... THE HIDING-PLACE. 'And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and acovert
from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a...
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 acovert criticism....
Letter C
... Received 1816 * Covel, Samuel "Received 1821 * Covel, Zenas "Received 1801, Located
1810 * Covenhoven, Peter "Received 1810 *Covert, Morris "Received...
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 itscovert?...
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 fromcovert tocovert....
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,....
The Revolt of Babylon.
... These measures were all concerted and carried into effect in the mostcovert and
secret manner; and the tidings came at last to Susa that Babylon had openly...
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.
...Lair (8 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Psalms 10:9 He lurketh in secret as a lion in hiscovert; He lieth in
wait to catch the poor: He doth catch the poor, when he draweth him in his net....
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), "acovert," elsewhere "booth...
Marsh (4 Occurrences)
... Can the flag grow without water?" and in Job 40:21 (of the behemoth), "He lieth
under the lotus-trees, In thecovert of the reed, and the fen (bitstsah)." In 1...
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 acovert....
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...
Covers (50 Occurrences)
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 acovert from storm and from rain....
Hiding (53 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 32:2 A man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and acovert from the
storm, as streams of water in a dry place, as the shade of a large rock in a...
Oppressing (11 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 25:38 He has left hiscovert, as the lion; for their land is become an
astonishment because of the fierceness of the oppressing sword, and because of...
Resources
Is neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) compatible with the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is spiritual abuse? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is post-theism? | GotQuestions.orgCovert: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
