συγκαλύπτω

From the study of Sirach 26:8

Range of meaning

To cover completely, wrap up, veil; figuratively, to conceal or hush up.

Against the English

"Will not cover" (KJV, WEB) keeps the Greek future. Renderings like "cannot hide" shift the sense from not doing it, or being unwilling, to being unable. The Greek future is a plain prediction and can hold both.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint it is used for covering the head or face and for veiling (e.g. 1 Samuel 19:13, Michal covering the household idol with a garment). In Luke 12:2 Jesus says "nothing is covered up that will not be revealed."

From the study of Luke 12:2

Range of meaning

To cover completely, wrap up, veil over, conceal. It is a stronger form of kalyptō, 'cover'. The prefix syn- ('together, altogether') suggests something wrapped on every side. Used literally (wrapping a body or object in cloth, veiling the head) and figuratively (hiding a matter, keeping something quiet).

Against the English

BSB/NIV 'concealed' gets the idea but not the picture of something wrapped over. KJV/YLT 'covered' and WEB/ESV/NASB 'covered up' keep the image and set up the play on words with 'revealed' (literally 'un-covered').

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in Greek literature from early times for covering or veiling completely (LSJ). It appears a few times in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) in the literal sense of covering with cloth. In the New Testament it occurs only here. The parallel saying in Matthew 10:26 has the simple verb kekalymmenon. Luke's stronger compound fits his setting, where the concealment is the deliberate cover of hypocrisy.