A variety of Hebrew words are used for “covering.” The seraphim cover ( kasah ) their eyes, hands, and feet with wings, while the wings of the cherubim cover ( sakak ) the ark (Exodus 25:20), Yahweh’s hand covers ( sakak ) Moses as His glory goes by (Exodus 33:22), and Yahweh’s wings cover ( sakak ) those who take refuge in Him (Psalm 91:4). Inaddition, Hebrew uses forms of kaphar to describe various literal and metaphorical “coverings.”
Despite the variety of terms, there is arguably conceptual continuity among all these. Covering in reverence is linked to covering for protection. We come under the cover of the Lord’s wings, and we come covered. And the covering that is atonement is an act of reverence and respect to Yahweh, and also a protective covering. To be covered with the blood of atonement is to be qualified to come under the cover of Yahweh’s wings.
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