is "a covering, a means of hiding" (epi, "upon," kalupto, "to cover"); hence, "a pretext, a cloke, for wickedness," 1 Peter 2:16 . In the Sept. it is used in Exodus 26:14; 39:21 , "coverings;" 2 Samuel 17:19; Job 19:29 , "deceit."
either from pro, "before," and phaino, "to cause to appear shine," or, more probably, from pro, and phemi, "to say," is rendered "cloke" (of covetousness) in 1 Thessalonians 2:5; "excuse" in John 15:22 (AV "cloke"); "pretense" in Matthew 23:14; Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47 (AV "show"); Philippians 1:18; "color" in Acts 27:30 . It signifies the assuming of something so as to disguise one's real motives. See PRETENSE , SHOW.