lat denotes secrecy expressed in covert speech or action and, in Egypt, in “secret arts.”

The attested uses show secrecy in concealed communication or action, as Saul's servants are told to speak to David privately and Ruth approaches Boaz quietly; the plural construct form also occurs in the Egyptian setting, where the APB explicitly speaks of “secret arts.”

1. Concealed speech or action · dominant

   The singular absolute form occurs in a command for Saul's servants to speak to David without open disclosure in 1 Samuel 18:22, where the APB renders “Speak to David in secret.” In Ruth 3:7 the same form accompanies Ruth's quiet approach to Boaz, while in 1 Samuel 24:5 it occurs in the account of David cutting off what belonged to Saul; the APB does not isolate the term's contribution there.

   1 Samuel 18:221 Samuel 24:5Ruth 3:7
2. Secret arts in the Egyptian setting · common

   The plural construct form occurs in the Exodus passages. In Exodus 7:22 the APB explicitly says that Egypt's magicians acted “by their secret arts”; Exodus 8:3 and Exodus 8:14 contain the same form, though their APB renderings do not make its specific contribution visible.

   Exodus 7:22Exodus 8:3Exodus 8:14

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB renders the term explicitly as “in secret” in 1 Samuel 18:22 and “secret arts” in Exodus 7:22, and it presents Ruth's action as coming “quietly” in Ruth 3:7. In 1 Samuel 24:5, Exodus 8:3, and Exodus 8:14, the translation does not clearly isolate the term.