Psalms 104:2 — Word Study
WLCעֹֽטֶה־ א֭וֹר כַּשַּׂלְמָ֑ה נוֹטֶ֥ה שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם כַּיְרִיעָֽה׃
BSAHe wraps Himselfʻâṭâh [enwraps, covers] in lightʼôwr [divine radiance, spiritual illumination] as [with] a garmentsalmâh [cloak, outer clothing] He stretches outnâṭâh [spreads, expands] the heavensshâmayim [the visible universe, the sky] like a tentyᵉrîyʻâh [curtain, drape]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עֹֽטֶה־ | [you are] wrapping yourself | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| א֭וֹר | light | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| כַּשַּׂלְמָ֑ה | like garment | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| נוֹטֶ֥ה | [you are] stretching out | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם | [the] heavens | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| כַּיְרִיעָֽה׃ | like tent curtain | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent, |
| KJV | Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: |
| ASV | Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain; |
| YLT | Covering himself [with] light as a garment, Stretching out the heavens as a curtain, |
| WEB | He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain. |
| BBE | You are clothed with light as with a robe; stretching out the heavens like a curtain: |
The translations agree on the imagery of God wrapping Himself in light and stretching the heavens, reflecting the poetic nature of the original Hebrew.
The verse contains two main clauses, each describing an action of God, with prepositional phrases providing further detail.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָטָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 104:2
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Greatness of God in Creationgenerated
Psalms 104:2 presents a poetic image of God, who is depicted as enveloped in light and stretching the heavens. This verse is part of a larger passage that praises God's creative power and majesty, as seen in the surrounding verses that continue to describe His works in nature and the universe.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 7:9 | As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. |
| 2 | Matthew 17:2 | There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. |
| 3 | 1 Timothy 6:16 | He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. |
| 4 | 1 John 1:5 | And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. |
| 5 | Isaiah 40:22 | He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עֹֽטֶה־, 'o.teh-generated
The verb עָטָה (atah) means to wrap or cover oneself, suggesting a protective or enveloping action. It is used here to illustrate God's relationship with light, emphasizing His divine nature and glory.
In this verse, the participle form indicates an ongoing action, portraying God as continually wrapped in light. The imagery evokes a sense of majesty, as if God’s very essence is radiant and beyond human comprehension.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses wraps for עֹֽטֶה־ and stretches out for נוֹטֶ֥ה.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is עֹֽטֶה־, He wraps, which governs the action of the verse. It is followed by a description of what He wraps Himself in, א֭וֹר, light, and then another action, נוֹטֶ֥ה, He stretches out, which introduces the second part of the verse.
The structure emphasizes the two actions of God: wrapping Himself in light and stretching the heavens, creating a parallelism that enhances the poetic nature of the psalm.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עֹֽטֶה־ as ἀναβαλλόμενος, which means 'to put on' or 'to cover oneself.' This choice highlights the concept of God enveloping Himself, aligning with the imagery of light as a garment.
For שָׁמַיִם, the LXX uses οὐρανὸν, which refers to the heavens. This translation maintains the connection between God's majesty and the vastness of the universe.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 104:2 describes how God wraps Himself in light like a garment and stretches out the heavens like a tent. This verse illustrates God's greatness and His creative power over the universe.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's divine nature and glory, suggesting that light is a representation of His holiness and majesty.
The comparison to a tent emphasizes the vastness and expansiveness of the heavens, portraying them as a temporary dwelling that God has created.
This verse illustrates God's sovereignty and power over creation, showing that He is both the creator and sustainer of the universe.
Light often symbolizes purity, truth, and the presence of God, representing His guidance and life-giving power.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see God's light in the world around me?
- How can I better understand the majesty of God through His creation?
- What does it mean for me to be wrapped in God's light in my daily life?
- How can I reflect the light of God to others in my community?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers like Origen and Augustine reference this verse to discuss God's nature and the significance of light in relation to the Church.
And, therefore, about this one [Jesus Christ] it is rightly said, "He has perfect hands to put on the holy things." For this one is truly he who "put on holy things," not those who were "bad examples" but these that are truly "holy." But…Early Church Fathers on Psalms 104 →
"Clothed with light as a garment." Clothed with His Church, because she is made "light" in Him, who before was darkness in herself, as the apostle says: "You were sometime darkness,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 104 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 104:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWho coverest thyself with light as with a garment,.... Referring, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi think, to the light, which was first created; and indeed this was commanded out of darkness by God the Word,
Read John Gill on Psalms 104 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWho coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 104 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleCoverest, or adornest, or clothest. With light; either, 1. With that light which no man can approach unto, as it is called , wherewith therefore he may well be said to be covered or hid from the eyes of mortal men. Or rather, 2. With that first-created light, , which the psalmist fitly puts in the first place, as being the first of God’ s visible works. Like a curtain; the use whereof it hath, partly in reference to that glorious mansion of the blessed God and his holy angels, which these visible heavens do veil and cover; and partly in reference to the earth, which they enclose and protect.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 104 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 104:2 Who coverest [thyself] with light as [with] a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:Ver. 2. Who coverest thyself with light] That lovely creature that first shone out of darkness, and is chief among all things sensible, as coming nearest to the unapproachable glory of God; like as the robe royal is next unto the king. Herod upon a set day came forth arrayed in royal apparel, in cloth of silver, saith Josephus, which being beaten upon by the sun’ s beams, dazzled the eyes of the people, and drew from them that blasphemous acclamation, Acts 12:21. God, when he made the world, showed himself in all his royalty; neither can we ascribe too much unto him. Who…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 104 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2) Who coverest.—Perhaps better with the participles of the original retained: Putting on light as a robe; Spreading the heavens as a curtain. The psalmist does not think of the formation of light as of a single past act, but as a continued glorious operation of Divine power and splendour. Not only is light as to the modern poet, “Nature’s resplendent robe, Without whose vesting beauty all were wrapt In unessential gloom,” but it is the dress of Divinity, the “ethereal woof” that God Himself is for ever weaving for His own wear. Curtain.—Especially of a tent (see Son 1:5, &c.), the tremulous movement of its folds being expressed in the Hebrew word. Different explanations have been given of…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 104 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. Who coverest thyself with light] Light, insufferable splendor, is the robe of the Divine Majesty. Light and fire are generally the accompaniments of the Supreme Being, when he manifests his presence to his creatures. He appeared thus to Abraham when he made a covenant with him, Genesis 15:17; and to Moses when he appointed him to bring the people out of Egypt, Exodus 19:18. Moses calls God a consuming fire, Deuteronomy 4:24. When Christ was transfigured on the mount, his face shone like the sun, and his garment was white as the light, Matthew 17:2. And when the Lord manifests himself to the prophets, he is always surrounded with fire, and the most brilliant light. Bishop Lowth has…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 104 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. Light, the first created element, is as it were God’s robe, revealing while it conceals Him. Nothing can serve better as the expression of His Nature (1 John 1:5; 1 Timothy 6:16). Light is universally diffused; it is the condition of life, the source of gladness, the emblem of purity. who stretchest out &c.] Cp. Isaiah 40:22. The canopy of the sky is compared to a tent-curtain, stretched out over the earth. By His simple fiat God spread out these heavens as easily as a man might pitch his tent. Their vastness is a symbol of the majesty of the King Who dwells in His royal pavilion, Whom yet “heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain.” Observe the present participles, covering…
Read Cambridge on Psalms 104 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWho coverest thyself with light as with a garment - Referring to the first work of creation Genesis 1:3, “And God said, Let there be light, and there was light.” He seemed to put on light as a
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 104 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,
He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain.
He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,
He covers himself with light as if it were a garment. He stretches out the skies like a tent curtain,
Tyndale line
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
Which couereth himselfe with light as with a garment, and spreadeth the heauens like a curtaine.
Strictly literal
Covering thyself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent-curtain; —
Covering himself [with] light as a garment, Stretching out the heavens as a curtain,
Covering Himself [with] light as a garment, || Stretching out the heavens as a curtain,
[Thou art he] who wrappeth himself in light as with a garment; who stretcheth out the heavens like a curtain;
You cover yourself with light as with a garment; you spread out the heavens like a tent curtain.
From the Latin
Sing to him, yea sing praises to him: relate all his wondrous works.
Simplified
You wear light as your clothing; you stretch out the fabric of the heavens.
You are clothed with light as with a robe; stretching out the heavens like a curtain:
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads, 'He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,' using the Hebrew words 'עֹֽטֶה־ א֭וֹר כַּשַּׂלְמָ֑ה נוֹטֶ֥ה שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם כַּיְרִיעָֽה.' The Septuagint aligns closely with this text, matching all six words in a word-by-word correspondence, though its syntax differs. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain several fragments, with 4Q86 and 4Q87 having partial restorations and supplied words, but they also preserve the essential meaning and structure of the verse. 11Q5 offers a similar reading, with some words restored or supplied by an editor. Overall, these witnesses largely agree with the Masoretic Text, with minor variations in wording and restoration efforts in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
עֹֽטֶה־ א֭וֹר כַּשַּׂלְמָ֑ה נוֹטֶ֥ה שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם כַּיְרִיעָֽה׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
עטי [אור] [כשלמה] נוטי שמים כיריעה
3 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 2 supplied entire by an editor.
[עוטה] [אור] [כשלמה] נוטה שמים כיריעה
2 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
[עוטה] אור כשלמה נוטה שמים כיריעה
4 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 1 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 104:2
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עָטָה (atah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to wrap, enwrap, or cover oneself. It can also mean to grasp. The entries indicate that in the Qal form, it refers to actions like wrapping or enveloping, while the Hiphil form involves covering someone with shame. The word appears in contexts related to mourning and physical covering.
עָטָה vb. wrap oneself, enwrap, envelop oneself
Qal
wrap, envelop oneself with sthg.
Hiph. thou hast wrapped shame upon him
H5844a עָטָה wrap oneself, enwrap, envelop oneself H5844b עָטָה grasp
5844 `atah aw-taw'
a primitive root; to wrap, i.e. cover, veil, cloth, or
roll:--array self, be clad, (put a) cover (-ing, self), fill,
put on, X surely, turn aside.
עָטָה (a.tah) — to enwrap.
1) to cover, enwrap, wrap oneself, envelop oneself
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to wrap, envelop oneself
1a2) to cover (the beard in mourning)
1a3) mourner, one who covers (participle)
1b) (Hiphil) to cover, enwrap, envelop
עָטָה (a.tah) — to grasp.
1) to grasp
1a) (Qal) to grasp
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
אוֹר (or) means 'light' and encompasses various forms of illumination, including daylight, dawn, and the light of heavenly bodies like the sun and stars. It can also refer to metaphorical concepts such as the light of life, prosperity, and instruction, as well as Yahweh as a source of light.
אוֹר 121 n.m. light
light as diffused in nature, light of day
morning light, dawn
light of the heavenly luminaries
daylight
lightning
light of lamp
light of life
light of prosperity
light of instruction
light of face
Yahweh
base
H216 אוֹר light . light as diffused in nature, light of day
. morning light, dawn
. light of the heavenly luminaries
. daylight
. lightning
. light of lamp
. light of life
. light of prosperity
. light of instruction
. light of face
. Yahweh
216 'owr ore
from 215; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every
sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.):--bright, clear,
+ day, light (-ning), morning, sun.
see HEBREW for 0215
אוֹר (or) — light.
1) light
1a) light of day
1b) light of heavenly luminaries (moon, sun, stars)
1c) day-break, dawn, morning light
1d) daylight
1e) lightning
1f) light of lamp
1g) light of life
1h) light of prosperity
1i) light of instruction
1j) light of face (fig.)
1k) Jehovah as Israel's light
N-cs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
lit ('or, ma'or; phos; many other words):
1. Origin of Light
2. A Comprehensive Term
(1) Natural Light
(2) Artificial Light
(3) Miraculous Light
(4) Mental, Moral, Spiritual Light
3. An Attribute of Holiness
(1) God
(2) Christ
(3) Christians
(4) The Church
4. Symbolism
5. Expressive Terms
1. Origin of Light:
The creation of light was the initial step in the creation of life. "Let there be light" (Ge 1:3) was the first word of God spoken after His creative Spirit "moved" upon the primary material out of which He created the heavens and the earth, and which lay, until the utterance of that word, in the chaos of darkness and desolation. Something akin, possibly, to the all-pervasive electro-magnetic activity of the aurora borealis penetrated the chaotic night of the world. The ultimate focusing of light (on the 4th day of creation,
Light
The offspring of the divine command (Gen. 1:3). “All the more joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations of the frame, all the happy hours of domestic intercourse were habitually described among the Hebrews under imagery derived from light” (1 Kings 11:36; Isa. 58:8; Esther 8:16; Ps. 97:11). Light came also naturally to typify true religion and the felicity it imparts (Ps. 119:105; Isa. 8:20; Matt. 4:16, etc.), and the glorious inheritance…
One of the most wonderful, cheering, and useful of all the works of God; called into being on the first of the six days of creation, by his voice: "Let there be light;" and there was light. No object better illustrates whatever is pure, glorious, spiritual, joyful, and beneficent. Hence the beauty and force of the expressions, "God is light," 1Jo 1:5, and "the Father of lights," Jas 1:17; Christ is the "Sun of righteousness," and "the light of the world," Joh 1:9 8:12. So also the word of God is "a light," Ps 119:105; truth and Christians are lights, Joh 3:19 12:36; prosperity is "light," Es 8:16; and heaven is full of…
שַׂלְמָה (*salmah*) refers to an outer garment or clothing. It is closely related to the word שִׂמְלָה (*simlah*), and its meanings include dress, raiment, and wrapper. The entries consistently emphasize its role as a type of garment.
שַׂלְמָה n.f. id. [שִׂמְלָה] (transp. from שִׂמְלָה);—garment: outer garment
base
H8008 שַׂלְמָה id. [שִׂמְלָה];—garment: outer garment
8008 salmah sal-maw'
transp. for 8071; a dress:--clothes, garment, raiment.
see HEBREW for 08071
שַׂלְמָה (sal.mah) — garment.
1) garment, outer garment, wrapper, mantle
1a) garment, outer garment
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
נָטָה (natah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to stretch out, spread out, or extend. It encompasses a wide range of actions, including bending, inclining, and pitching a tent. The word can also imply moral deflection or turning aside. The entries suggest various applications, from physical actions to metaphorical uses, but do not indicate significant disagreement among the lexicons.
נָטָה 215 vb. stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
Qal
stretch out, extend, hand, rod
stretch line and plummet
= offer
Spread out, i.e. pitch, tent
Bend, turn, incline
Niph. be stretched out
Hiph.
rarely stretch out, hand
rarely spread out cloth on rock
usu. turn, incline
base
H5186 נָטָה stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend .. . stretch out, extend, hand, rod
. stretch line and plummet
. = offer
. Spread out, i.e. pitch, tent
. Bend, turn, incline
. be stretched out
. . rarely stretch out, hand
. rarely spread out cloth on rock
. usu. turn, incline
5186 natah naw-taw'
a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication,
to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great
variety of application (as follows):--+ afternoon, apply, bow
(down, - ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down,
be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched,
overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread
(out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away),
wrest, cause to yield.
נָטָה (na.tah) — to stretch.
1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer
1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent)
1a3) to bend, turn, incline
1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down
1a3b) to bend, bow
1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.)
1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to stretch out
1c2) to spread out
1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
The Hebrew word שָׁמַיִם (*shamayim*) is a dual noun meaning 'heavens' or 'sky.' It refers to the visible heavens where celestial bodies are found, as well as the abode of God. The dual form may suggest both the arch of the sky and the higher ether. It is noted in contexts such as Elijah's ascent in a whirlwind.
[שָׁמַי] n.m. only pl. שָׁמַיִם 421 heavens, sky
visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
phrases
as abode of God
Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
base
H8064 שָׁמַי only pl. שָׁמַיִם heavens, sky . . visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
. phrases
. . as abode of God
. Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
. הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
8064 shamayim shaw-mah'-yim
dual of an unused singular shameh {shaw-meh'}; from an unused
root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps
alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well
as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies
revolve):--air, X astrologer, heaven(-s).
שָׁמַיִם (sha.ma.yim) — heaven.
1) heaven, heavens, sky
1a) visible heavens, sky
1a1) as abode of the stars
1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc
1b) Heaven (as the abode of God)
Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
hev'-'nz (shamayim; ouranoi): On the physical heavens see ASTRONOMY; WORLD. Above these, in popular conception, were the celestial heavens, the abode of God and of the hosts of angels (Ps 11:4; 103:19-21; Isa 66:1; Re 4:2; 5:11; compare Da 7:10), though it was recognized that Yahweh's presence was not confined to any region (1Ki 8:27). Later Judaism reckoned seven heavens. The apostle Paul speaks of himself as caught up into "the third heaven," which he evidently identifies with Paradise (2Co 12:2).
See HEAVENLY.
יְרִיעָה (yriy'ah) means 'curtain' or 'drape.' It is derived from a root meaning to tremble, suggesting a hanging fabric. The term appears in contexts related to coverings or partitions.
יְרִיעָה 54 n.f. curtain
base
H3407 יְרִיעָה curtain
3407 yriy`ah yer-ee-aw'
from 3415; a hanging (as tremulous):--curtain.
see HEBREW for 03415
יְרִיעָה (ye.ri.ah) — curtain.
curtain, drape
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
kur'-t'-n, -ten, -tin: The word ordinarily used for curtain is yeri`ah. Thus in Ex 26:1 ff; 36:8 ff of the curtains of the tabernacle (see TABERNACLE); in 2Sa 7:2; Ps 104:2; So 1:5; Isa 54:2; Jer 4:20; 10:20; 49:29; Hab 3:7.
Figurative: In Isa 40:22 (like Ps 104:2, of the heavens), the word used is doq, literally, "gauze."
Curtain
(1.) Ten curtains, each twenty-eight cubits long and four wide, made of fine linen, also eleven made of goat’s hair, covered the tabernacle (Ex. 26:1-13; 36:8-17).
(2.) The sacred curtain, separating the holy of holies from the sanctuary, is designated by a different Hebrew word (peroketh). It is described as a “veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work” (Ex. 26:31; Lev. 16:2; Num. 18:7).
(3.) “Stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain” (Isa. 40:22), is an expression used with reference to the veil or awning which Orientals spread for a screen over their courts in summer.…