COVER; COVERING

kuv'-er, kuv'-er-ing: The translation of several Hebrew words. The covering of the ark (mikhceh, Genesis 8:13) was possibly the lid of a hatchway (compare Mitchell, World before Abraham, 215).

To the sons of Kohath was assigned the task of caring for the furniture of the Tabernacle whenever the camp was moved, a suitable covering (kacah) of sealskin being designated for each of the specially sacred objects, the temple curtains also being used (Numbers 4:8, 9, 11, 12).

Numbers 19:15 (tsamidh) may refer to anything used as a lid or covering; Job 24:7; Job 31:19 (kecuth) refer to clothing or bed-covering.

Figurative: "Abaddon hath no covering"; (kecuth) from God (Job 26:6); "He will destroy. the face of the covering (ha-loT) that covereth all peoples" (Isaiah 25:7). The removal of the veil, often worn as a token of mourning (compare 2 Samuel 19:4), signified the destruction of death.

W. N. Stearns

COVERING, FOR THE HEAD

kuv'-er-ing, (peribolaion): Mentioned in the New Testament only in 1 Corinthians 11:15: "For her hair is given her for a covering," literally, "something cast round," probably equivalent to "veil" (which see). Read in the light of the context: "Every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoreth her head" (verse 5). The meaning would seem to be that Nature itself, in providing women with a natural veil, has taught the lesson underlying the prevailing custom, that woman should not be unveiled in the public assemblies.

George B. Eager

EYES, COVERING, OF THE

kuv'-er-ing:

In Genesis 20:16, means forgetfulness of the past, a willingness to overlook the wrong to which Sarah had been exposed.