The concept of concealing, or hiding, is addressed in various contexts throughout the Bible. It often pertains to the actions of God, individuals, or the nature of wisdom and sin. The act of concealing can have both positive and negative connotations depending on the context in which it is used.

Divine Concealment

God's ways and plans are sometimes described as concealed from human understanding. In Deuteronomy 29:29, it is stated, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law." This verse highlights the distinction between what God chooses to reveal and what He keeps hidden, emphasizing His sovereignty and the limits of human comprehension.

Concealment of Sin

The Bible frequently addresses the concealment of sin, often warning against it. Proverbs 28:13 states, "He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy." This verse underscores the importance of confession and repentance, suggesting that hiding sin leads to spiritual stagnation, while openness before God brings forgiveness and mercy.

Wisdom and Understanding

Concealment is also associated with wisdom. Proverbs 25:2 declares, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out." This suggests that there is a divine purpose in the concealment of certain truths, inviting the pursuit of wisdom and understanding. The process of seeking out hidden truths is portrayed as a noble endeavor, reflecting the value placed on discernment and insight.

Human Concealment

In human relationships, concealment can be seen in both protective and deceptive actions. For instance, in the account of Moses' birth, his mother concealed him for three months to protect him from Pharaoh's decree (Exodus 2:2). This act of concealment was driven by love and the desire to preserve life.

Conversely, the Bible warns against deceitful concealment. In Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira attempted to deceive the early church by concealing the full amount of money they received from selling a piece of property. Their actions were met with severe consequences, illustrating the dangers of deceit and the importance of integrity.

Concealment in Parables

Jesus often used parables to convey spiritual truths, which could be seen as a form of concealment. In Matthew 13:10-11, the disciples asked Jesus why He spoke to the people in parables. He replied, "The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them." Parables served to reveal truths to those with open hearts while concealing them from those who were not receptive.

Conclusion

The theme of concealment in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing divine mystery, the concealment of sin, the pursuit of wisdom, and the dynamics of human relationships. Whether viewed as protective, deceitful, or revelatory, the act of concealing is intricately woven into the biblical narrative, offering insights into the nature of God, humanity, and the pursuit of truth.3680. kasah -- to cover
... root Definition to cover NASB Word Usage closed (2), clothed (1), conceal (1), conceals
(8), cover (50), covered (51), covering (4), covers (20), engulfed (3 ...
/hebrew/3680.htm - 6k

Concerning Light, Fire, the Luminaries, Sun, Moon and Stars.
... to lighten the night: not that they are in the daytime under the earth, for even
by day stars are in the heaven over the earth but the sun conceals both the ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter vii concerning light fire the.htm

Titus i. 5, 6
... That beauty only which is natural, which is within, is lasting: that which is put
on externally often conceals deformity, conceals it from men until the evening ...
/.../homily ii titus i 5.htm

Basil -- the Creation of the World
... that which our fleshly eye can not perceive"our mind, for example; then that which,
visible in its nature, is hidden by some body which conceals it, like ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/basil the creation of.htm

Christianity Misunderstood by Believers.
... Christianity"Account of the Work Done by the Russian Church" Matthew 23:23"The Sermon
on the Mount or the Creed"The Orthodox Church Conceals from the ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter iii christianity misunderstood by.htm

Of Fascination.
... Any evil cogitation whatsoever will be broken by the very severity. She who conceals
her virginity, by that fact denies even her womanhood. Footnotes: ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter xv of fascination.htm

The Resurrection of Christ; his Last Interview with his Disciples ...
... early periods of the history of nations are generally enveloped in fable; and although
the truth could be discovered through the veil which conceals it, would ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture i the resurrection of.htm

Of Spiritual Aridity
... Though God hath no other desire than to impart Himself to the loving soul that seeks
Him, yet He frequently conceals Himself that the soul may be roused from ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter v of spiritual aridity.htm

Knox's Intrigues, and his Account of Them, 1559
... He therefore, in Book II.((much of which was written in August-October or
September-October 1559, as an apologetic contemporary tract), conceals the actual ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xi knoxs intrigues and.htm

Other Charges Repelled by the Same Method the Story of the Noble ...
... (No ignorance, however, conceals our conduct from our eyes,) for in the
very darkness we are able to recognise our own misdeeds. ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xvi name charges repelled.htm

Some Time
... you shall shortly know that lengthened breath Is not the sweetest gift God sends
his friend, And that, sometimes, the sable pall of death Conceals the fairest ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/some time.htm

Conceals (8 Occurrences)
...Conceals (8 Occurrences). ... (See NAS). Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins
doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. ...
/c/conceals.htm - 8k

Isaiah (64 Occurrences)
... that bore on the interests of religion. He conceals nothing and keeps nothing
back from fear of man. He was also noted for his spirituality ...
/i/isaiah.htm - 66k

Renounces (2 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever
confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (WEB NIV). ...
/r/renounces.htm - 6k

Dissembler (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who dissembles; one who conceals his opinions
or dispositions under a false appearance; a hypocrite. ...
/d/dissembler.htm - 6k

Concealment (1 Occurrence)

/c/concealment.htm - 7k

Concede (1 Occurrence)

/c/concede.htm - 6k

Cloud (119 Occurrences)
... The word is used as a symbol of the Divine presence, as indicating the splendour
of that glory which it conceals (Exodus 16:10; 33:9; Numbers 11:25; 12:5; Job ...
/c/cloud.htm - 51k

Cover (254 Occurrences)
... the cover of a book. 12. (n.) Anything which veils or conceals; a screen;
disguise; a cloak. 13. (n.) Shelter; protection; as, the ...
/c/cover.htm - 40k

Cloak (73 Occurrences)
... and by women. 2. (n.) That which conceals; a disguise or pretext; an excuse;
a fair pretense; a mask; a cover. 3. (vt) To cover ...
/c/cloak.htm - 30k

Confesses (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV). Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever
confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/confesses.htm - 8k

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