Hebrew word · Strong's H3722

כָּפַר

kâphar · kaw-far' · verb · “to cover, atone”

In a sentence

Kaphar means to cover, atone, propitiate. From it comes kippur — the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). It is the Old Testament's central verb for dealing with sin.

Kaphar pictures covering — the cover of an ark, and by extension the «covering» of sin. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) literally means «day of covering.»

On that day, blood was sprinkled on the «mercy seat» (kapporet) to atone for the sins of the people. Hebrews shows Christ entering the true holy place to make a final atonement. The verb of altars finds its end at the cross.

Strong's reference

Definition: to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel

KJV usage: appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Leviticus 16:30 “because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD.” Leviticus 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.