Lexical Summary ub: To be dense, to be thick, to be dark Original Word: עוּב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cover with a cloud A primitive root; to be dense or dark, i.e. To becloud -- cover with a cloud. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from ab Definition to becloud NASB Translation cloud (1), covered (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עוּב] verb denominative Hiph`il becloud, Imperfect3masculine singular יָעִיב בְּאַפוֺ אֲדֹנָי אֶתכַּֿתצִֿיּוֺן Lamentations 2:1 (Bu הֵעִיב). עוג (√ of following, compare Late Hebrew id. draw a circle, עוּגָה (circular) ditch; Aramaic עוּגִית id.; Arabic Topical Lexicon Root ImageryThe verb עוּב paints the picture of a thick, lowering cloud that hides the heavens, casts a pall over the landscape, and signals the onset of storm. It evokes both literal weather and the figurative mood of desolation or judgment. In Hebrew poetry such atmospheric language often communicates the felt absence of divine favor or the shrouding of God’s glory. Canonical Occurrence Lamentations 2:1 places the only biblical use of עוּב at the very opening of that elegy: “How the Lord has covered the Daughter of Zion with a cloud in His anger!”. The prophet-poet invokes the image of Yahweh Himself drawing an angry storm front over Jerusalem. The city is not merely under bad weather; it is enveloped by the displeasure of the covenant Lord. Historical Background The verse laments the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Nebuchadnezzar’s armies had razed the temple, cut down the Davidic throne, and deported the people. The spiritual darkness that accompanied the physical ruin is captured by עוּב: the Lord who once led Israel by a benign pillar of cloud (Exodus 13:21) now darkens Zion with a cloud of wrath. Theological Significance 1. Divine Agency: The covering cloud is explicitly the Lord’s act. The Babylonian siege is understood theologically, not merely geopolitically. Prophetic and Poetic Usage Although עוּב itself appears only once, its imagery resonates with other Scriptures that portray clouds as instruments of judgment or concealment: • Isaiah 60:2 – “Darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples.” Such passages cluster around the motif of the “day of the Lord,” where divine intervention is cloaked in ominous weather symbolism. Intertextual Echoes The cloud of anger in Lamentations foreshadows the supernatural darkness that fell at Calvary (Matthew 27:45), where judgment was borne by the Messiah Himself. The contrast is striking: Jerusalem once covered in wrath, later offered covering by the atoning blood of Christ (Hebrews 10:19–22). Ministry Application • Pastoral Warning: National or personal calamity should prompt sober reflection on covenant fidelity. Christological Reflections The substitutionary work of Jesus transforms the symbol. For all who trust in Him, the cloud of wrath has passed over; what remains is the bright cloud of divine presence (Matthew 17:5) that assures believers of acceptance and guidance. Related Concepts • Shekinah Glory – the luminous cloud of divine presence. עוּב therefore stands as a solemn reminder that the God who shelters His own is also righteous to veil them in cloud until repentance, renewal, and ultimate restoration dawn. Forms and Transliterations יָעִ֨יב יעיב yā‘îḇ yā·‘îḇ yaIvLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Lamentations 2:1 HEB: אֵיכָה֩ יָעִ֨יב בְּאַפּ֤וֹ ׀ אֲדֹנָי֙ NAS: the Lord has covered the daughter KJV: of Zion with a cloud in his anger, INT: how has covered his anger the Lord |
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be crooked, curved, bent, 
elephant's tusk, tortoise-shell).