The Hebrew word kanaph (כָּנַף) primarily means 'wing' — the wing of a bird — but also refers to an edge, corner, or extremity. It appears over 100 times in the Old Testament with rich metaphorical use.
In Hebrew poetry and theology, kanaph (wing) became one of the most beloved images of God's protective care. The Psalmist cries out to take refuge 'in the shadow of his wings' (Psalm 57:1; 91:4). The cherubim's wings (kanaph) covered the ark of the covenant — stretching over the mercy seat and forming the throne of God's presence. Ezekiel's vision of the living creatures describes wings covering their bodies. Ruth came to Boaz 'under the wing' of Boaz as kinsman-redeemer — a beautiful picture of redemptive love. Jesus used this imagery mourning over Jerusalem: 'How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings' (Matthew 23:37). The word encompasses both divine protection and the garment hem (the 'wing' of a garment) touched by the woman with the bleeding issue.