What does סֵתֶר (sēṯer) mean in the Bible?
סֵתֶר (sēṯer): Concealment that shields either protection or secrecy—moral valence depends on context and agent's intent.
Hebrew · H5643
סֵתֶר
A cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
סֵתֶרH5643
Pronunciationsēṯer
What does סֵתֶר (sēṯer) mean in the Bible?
סֵתֶר (sēṯer): Concealment that shields either protection or secrecy—moral valence depends on context and agent's intent.
Full entry for סֵתֶר (H5643) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H5643?
The BSB source-word alignment has 36 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include in secret (8), a refuge (2), in the shelter (2), privately (2), secretly (2).
Where does סֵתֶר (sēṯer) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Deuteronomy 13:6. Its strongest book concentrations include Psalms (10), Deuteronomy (5), Isaiah (5), Job (5).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itin secret8×Deuteronomy 27:15, Deuteronomy 27:24, 2 Samuel 12:12, Psalms 101:5
a refuge2×Isaiah 16:4, Isaiah 32:2
in the shelter2×Psalms 61:4, Psalms 91:1
privately2×Jeremiah 37:17, Jeremiah 40:15
secretly2×Deuteronomy 13:6, Jeremiah 38:16
[are] my hiding place1×Psalms 119:114
[eaten] in secret1×Proverbs 9:17
a secret place1×1 Samuel 19:2
are my hiding place1×Psalms 32:7
he covers1×Job 24:15
hidden1×Job 40:21
His hiding place1×Psalms 18:11
I have a secret1×Judges 3:19
in the crevices1×Song Of Solomon 2:14
in the secret place1×Psalms 31:20
ravine1×1 Samuel 25:20
she will secretly1×Deuteronomy 28:57
shelter1×Deuteronomy 32:38
so a backbiting1×Proverbs 25:23
under the cover1×Psalms 27:5
veil1×Job 22:14
was secretly1×Job 31:27
you from the cloud1×Psalms 81:7
you secretly1×Job 13:10
your hiding place1×Isaiah 28:17
Show sample aligned rows
Deuteronomy 13:6בַּסֵּ֣תֶרtosecretlyPreposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularDeuteronomy 27:15בַּסָּ֑תֶרtoin secretPreposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularDeuteronomy 27:24בַּסָּ֑תֶרtoin secretPreposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularDeuteronomy 28:57בַּסָּ֑תֶרtoshe will secretlyPreposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularDeuteronomy 32:38סִתְרָֽה׃toshelterNoun - feminine singularJudges 3:19סֵ֥תֶרtoI have a secretNoun - masculine singular1 Samuel 19:2בַסֵּ֖תֶרtoa secret placePreposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular1 Samuel 25:20בְּסֵ֣תֶרtoravinePreposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct2 Samuel 12:12בַסָּ֑תֶרtoin secretPreposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularJob 13:10בַּ֝סֵּ֗תֶרtoyou secretlyPreposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowDeuteronomy 13:6
Aligned rows36
Books represented10
Deuteronomy5Judges11 Samuel22 Samuel1Job5Psalms10Proverbs3Song Of Solomon1Isaiah5Jeremiah3
Source forms
בְּסֵ֣תֶר4xbə·sê·ṯer1 Samuel 25:20, Psalms 27:5, Psalms 81:7, Psalms 91:1
בַּסֵּ֣תֶר4xbas·sê·ṯerDeuteronomy 13:6, Job 31:27, Isaiah 48:16, Jeremiah 38:16
בַּסָּ֑תֶר3xbas·sā·ṯerDeuteronomy 27:15, Deuteronomy 27:24, Deuteronomy 28:57
סֵ֥תֶר3xsê·ṯerJudges 3:19, Psalms 32:7, Isaiah 16:4
בְסֵ֖תֶר1xḇə·sê·ṯerPsalms 61:4
בְּסֵ֖תֶר1xbə·sê·ṯerJob 40:21
בְּסֵ֥תֶר1xbə·sê·ṯerPsalms 31:20
בְּסֵ֙תֶר֙1xbə·sê·ṯerSong Of Solomon 2:14
Parsing patterns
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular15xDeuteronomy 13:6, Deuteronomy 27:15, Deuteronomy 27:24, Deuteronomy 28:57
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct8x1 Samuel 25:20, Job 40:21, Psalms 27:5, Psalms 31:20
Noun - masculine singular5xJudges 3:19, Job 22:14, Psalms 32:7, Proverbs 25:23
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct3xJob 24:15, Isaiah 28:17, Isaiah 32:2
Noun - feminine singular1xDeuteronomy 32:38
Noun - masculine plural1xProverbs 9:17
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular1xPsalms 119:114
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular1xPsalms 18:11
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Concealment that shields either protection or secrecy—moral valence depends on context and agent's intent.
Source Gloss
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Concealment that shields either protection or secrecy—moral valence depends on context and agent's intent.
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense) BDB: covering Usage: backbiting, covering, covert, × disguise(-th), hiding place, privily, protection, secret(-ly, place).
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
Hiding place; shelter; secret place; a place of protection where one is concealed from threats
Showing 1 selected witness from 36 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
סֵתֶר is built from this root:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.