כָּפַר
To cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone , to placate or cancel
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What does כָּפַר (kāpar) mean in the Bible?
כָּפַר (kāpar) is a Hebrew word meaning "to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone , to placate or cancel". to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel BDB: cover over Usage: appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation). The warning underscores the seriousness of unresolved sin. This term runs through the canonical themes of Messiah.
Meaning
Covering sin through ritual means literally covers it over, rendering it invisible and neutralized before God.
to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel BDB: cover over Usage: appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).
Why This Word Matters
The warning underscores the seriousness of unresolved sin. Isaiah 22:9-14
Highlights purification through divine action. Isaiah 27:7-13
The declaration that sin is atoned anticipates the broader biblical theme of substitutionary cleansing fulfilled in Christ. Isaiah 6:1-8
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 17×
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject 6×
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 1×
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Showing 8 of 103 occurrences in the biblical text.
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.