A verb meaning to hide by burial β to conceal something in the ground or in a secret place. Used of hiding treasure, concealing traps, burying evidence, and the ultimate act of hiding: burial of the dead. The word carries overtones of both protection (hiding valuables) and deception (concealing sin).
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:25) echoes the theology of taman β the wicked servant 'hid' (krypto, the Greek equivalent) his master's talent in the ground. In the Old Testament, Job cries that God would 'hide me in Sheol' (Job 14:13) β a request for protective concealment until God's wrath passes. The dual nature of hiding is key: God hides His people for protection (Psalm 31:20), but humans hide from God in guilt (Genesis 3:8). The one who tamans God's gifts in the ground β who buries potential out of fear β faces judgment. The one whom God tamans in His secret place finds safety.