עֻלְפֶּה
𐤏𐤋𐤐𐤄
ʻulpeh
H5969 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A covering or shroud, particularly one associated with the outward signs or garments of mourning; figuratively, the state of being enveloped or overwhelmed, often by grief or distress. The term may also connote being faint or enfeebled, whether physically or emotionally, as a result of overwhelming circumstances.
Semantic Range
mourning garment, shroud, envelope, state of being covered in mourning, faintness, being overcome by grief or distress
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root עָלַף (ʿ-l-f), which fundamentally means 'to cover, envelop, be faint' or 'grow weak.' The noun עֻלְפֶּה is a rare formation from this root, representing an object or state related to covering or envelopment, likely with particular reference to the physical or symbolic act of mourning or being overcome.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עֻלְפֶּה appears only once in the Hebrew Bible (Amos 8:10), describing an element of mourning that will come upon the people. In context, it is paired with sackcloth (שַׂק), suggesting a garment or covering connected with mourning rituals. The word carries nuances both of the tangible (a literal shroud or garment) and the intangible (a figurative envelopment of grief or faintness). Later translation tradition (e.g., LXX, Vulgate) renders the term according to its context rather than as a fixed object, often as 'baldness' or 'mourning covering.' The English term 'fainted' in some translations reflects a possible but secondary figurative sense, not the primary literal meaning. Related nouns from the same root more commonly emphasize faintness or weakness, but in this instance the focus appears on the aspect of a mourning covering. The term is not employed for general types of covering, but is particular to the semantics of lament and ritual mourning in Israelite culture.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָלַף; an envelope, i.e. (figuratively) mourning; fainted.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עלף (ʿ-l-f) — to cover, envelop, be faint, grow weak
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5968 | עָלַף | one being enveloped |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5969-01 |
עֻלְפֶּֽה | ulepeh | HNcmsa |
fainted | mourning shroud | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5969-01 |
Ezekiel 31:15 | עֻלְפֶּֽה | ulepeh | HNcmsa |
fainted | mourning shroud |