Nahum 1:8 — Word Study
WLCוּבְשֶׁ֣טֶף עֹבֵ֔ר כָּלָ֖ה יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה מְקוֹמָ֑הּ וְאֹיְבָ֖יו יְרַדֶּף־ חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃
BSAfloodsheṭeph [a powerful and overwhelming event] to passʻâbar ◂consumptionkâlâh to makeʻâsâh▸ [to bring about, to accomplish] placemâqôwm enemyʼôyêb to pursuerâdaph▸ [to chase after, to follow with hostile intent] darknesschôshek [misery, destruction, or spiritual darkness]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וּבְשֶׁ֣טֶף | and with a flood | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| עֹבֵ֔ר | [which] passes over | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| כָּלָ֖ה | complete destruction | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה | he will make | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| מְקוֹמָ֑הּ | place its | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְאֹיְבָ֖יו | and enemies his | Conjunction, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common, suffix |
| יְרַדֶּף־ | he will pursue | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ | darkness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | But with an overwhelming flood He will make an end of Nineveh and pursue His enemies into darkness. |
| KJV | But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. |
| ASV | But with an over-running flood he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness. |
| YLT | And with a flood passing over, An end He maketh of its place, And His enemies doth darkness pursue. |
| WEB | But with an overflowing flood, he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness. |
| BBE | But like water overflowing he will take them away; he will put an end to those who come up against him, driving his haters into the dark. |
Where they part company is שֶׁטֶף — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is supported by a prepositional phrase that describes the means of action, followed by a participial phrase that adds further detail to the pursuit of enemies.
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Nahum 1:8
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Judgment Against Ninevehgenerated
Nahum 1:8 describes God's impending judgment on Nineveh, using the imagery of an overwhelming flood to signify total destruction. This verse emphasizes the certainty of God's action against His enemies, contrasting His goodness towards those who trust Him, as seen in the preceding verse, Nahum 1:7.
The Key Word — שֶׁטֶף, u.ve.She.tefgenerated
The noun שֶׁטֶף (sheteph) refers to a flood or downpour, often depicting a powerful and overwhelming event. It can describe both literal floods, like that in the story of Noah, and figurative floods, such as overwhelming troubles or emotions.
This term captures the idea of a significant inundation, suggesting that God's judgment will be as unstoppable and consuming as a flood. The root of the word connects it to overflowing, reinforcing the image of total destruction.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb in the verse is יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה, he will make, which governs the action of bringing about an end. The structure includes a prepositional phrase indicating the means (with a flood), followed by the object (an end of Nineveh) and a participial phrase describing the action of pursuing enemies into darkness.
The sentence structure emphasizes God's decisive action through the use of a powerful flood, illustrating the totality of His judgment.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שֶׁטֶף as κατακλυσμῷ, which means 'flood' or 'deluge'. This choice reinforces the imagery of a catastrophic event, aligning with the Hebrew sense of overwhelming destruction.
The use of κατακλυσμῷ indicates a strong emphasis on the severity of the judgment, suggesting a complete and total inundation.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Nahum 1:8 tells us that God will use an overwhelming flood to bring an end to Nineveh and will pursue its enemies into darkness. This verse emphasizes the totality of God's judgment against those who oppose Him.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The flood symbolizes God's powerful judgment that will completely destroy Nineveh, illustrating the certainty and severity of His actions against His enemies.
The previous verse highlights God's goodness and protection for those who trust Him, contrasting with the impending judgment on Nineveh, showing that while God is good, He also enacts justice.
To pursue enemies into darkness suggests a relentless and hostile intent, indicating that God's judgment will follow His adversaries into their places of despair and destruction.
Nineveh is mentioned as the target of God's judgment due to its wickedness and opposition to God, serving as a warning to other nations about the consequences of turning away from Him.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see God's justice at work in the world today?
- How can I ensure that I am on the side of God's goodness rather than His judgment?
- What does it mean for me to trust in God during difficult times, knowing He is a stronghold?
- How can I respond to those who oppose God in my life, reflecting His character?
The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
But with an overwhelming flood He will make an end of Nineveh and pursue His enemies into darkness.
But with an overflowing flood, he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
But with an overwhelming flood He will make an end of Nineveh and pursue His enemies into darkness.
But with an overwhelming flood he will make a complete end of Nineveh; he will drive his enemies into darkness.
Tyndale line
But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
But with an over-running flood he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
But with an overrunning flood he will make a full end of the place thereof, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
But with an over-running flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
But passing ouer as with a flood, he will vtterly destroy the place thereof, and darknesse shall pursue his enemies.
Strictly literal
But with an overrunning flood he will make a full end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
And with a flood passing over, An end He maketh of its place, And His enemies doth darkness pursue.
And with a flood passing over, || An end He makes of its place, || And darkness pursues His enemies.
But with an overflowing flood will he utterly destroy the place of [Nineveh], and his enemies will he pursue with darkness.
But he will make a full end to his enemies with an overwhelming flood; he will pursue them into darkness.
From the Latin
But with a flood that passeth by, he will make an utter end of the place thereof: and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
Simplified
but those who oppose him will be swept away by a tremendous flood to their destruction. He pursues his enemies into the darkness of death.
But like water overflowing he will take them away; he will put an end to those who come up against him, driving his haters into the dark.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is consistent across all witnesses, including the Septuagint, which matches the Hebrew word-for-word. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration, but the essential message remains intact, affirming the prophecy's authenticity.
וּבְשֶׁ֣טֶף עֹבֵ֔ר כָּלָ֖ה יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה מְקוֹמָ֑הּ וְאֹיְבָ֖יו יְרַדֶּף־ חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃
8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[ובשטף] [עבר] [כלה] [יעשה] [מקומ׳ה] [ואיבי׳ו] ירדף חושך
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 6 supplied entire by an editor.
ובשטף עבר כלה יעשה מקומ׳ה [ואיבי׳ו] [ירדף] [חשך]
2 words on the leather — 3 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Nahum 1:8
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
שֶׁ֫טֶף (sheteph) refers to a flood, either literally or figuratively, and can also imply an overflowing or deluge. It is derived from a related word, שֶׁצֶף (shetsaph), which also means overflowing. The term captures the idea of a significant downpour or inundation.
שֶׁ֫טֶף, שֶׁ֫צֶף n.m. flood
base
H7858 שֶׁ֫טֶף, שֶׁ֫צֶף, שֵׁטֶף
7858 sheteph sheh'-tef
or sheteph {shay'-tef}; from 7857; a deluge (literally or
figuratively):--flood, outrageous, overflowing.
see HEBREW for 07857
שֶׁ֫טֶף (she.teph) — flood.
flood, downpour
Also means: she.tseph (שֶׁצֶף "overflowing" H8241)
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/R/Ncmsa
flud:
In the King James Version not less than 13 words are rendered "flood," though in the Revised Version (British and American) we find in some passages "river," "stream," "tempest," etc. The word is used for: the deluge of Noah, mabbul (Ge 6:17 ff); kataklusmos (Mt 24:38,39; Lu 17:27); the waters of the Red Sea, nazal (Ex 15:8); the Euphrates, nahar, "Your fathers dwelt of old time on the other side of the flood". (the Revised Version (British and American) "beyond the River" Jos 24:2): the Nile, ye'or, "the flood (the Revised Version (British and American) "River") of Egypt" (
Flood
An event recorded in Gen. 7 and 8. (See DELUGE.) In Josh. 24:2, 3, 14, 15, the word “flood” (R.V., “river”) means the river Euphrates. In Ps. 66:6, this word refers to the river Jordan.
[NOAH]
See DELUGE.
The Hebrew word עָבַר (abar) is a versatile verb meaning to pass over, through, or by, and it encompasses a range of actions including crossing, traversing, and alienating. It can also imply causing something to pass or be transferred, as well as emotional states like anger in its Hithpael form. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, though they do not provide specific verse references.
עָבַר 648 vb. pass over, through, by, pass on
Qal
pass over
Pass beyond
Pass through, traverse
pass along by
pass by
sweep by, of scourge
be past, over, of time
pass along (from hand to hand)
Pass on, go on
Pass away
Niph. Impf. a stream which cannot be forded
Pi.
his bull impregnateth
cause one to cross river
cause something to pass over
make over to
devote children to (לְ) heathen god
pass along (from hand to hand)
cause to pass through
let pass through
cause to pass by
let pass by
cause arrow to pass beyond
cause to pass under rod, for counting
cause to pass away, take away
Hiph.
cause to pass over, bring over
he made to pass across with chains of gold
base
[עָבַר] vb. denom. Hithp. be arrogant, infuriate oneself
base
H5674a עָבַר pass over, through, by, pass on .. pass over
. Pass beyond
. Pass through, traverse
. . pass along by
. pass by
. sweep by, of scourge
. be past, over, of time
. pass along (from hand to hand)
. Pass on, go on
. Pass away
. Impf. a stream which cannot be forded
. . his bull impregnateth . cause one to cross river
. cause something to pass over
. make over to
. devote children to (לְ) heathen god
. pass along (from hand to hand)
. . cause to pass through
. let pass through
. . cause to pass by
. let pass by
. cause arrow to pass beyond
. cause to pass under rod, for counting
. cause to pass away, take away
. . cause to pass over, bring over
. he made to pass across with chains of gold
H5674b עָבַר vb. denom. Hithp. be arrogant, infuriate oneself
5674 `abar aw-bar'
a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any
transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive,
intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
copulation):--alienate, alter, X at all, beyond, bring (over,
through), carry over, (over-)come (on, over), conduct (over),
convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail,
gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way,
in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle,
overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over)
pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over,
through), (cause to, make) + proclaim(-amation), perish,
provoke to anger, put away, rage, + raiser of taxes, remove,
send over, set apart, + shave, cause to (make) sound, X
speedily, X sweet smelling, take (away), (make to)
transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-)faring man, be
wrath.
עָבַר (a.var) — to pass.
1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over
1a2) to pass beyond
1a3) to pass through, traverse
1a3a) passers-through (participle)
1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant)
1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by
1a4a) passer-by (participle)
1a4b) to be past, be over
1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance
1a6) to pass away
1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory)
1a6b) to vanish
1a6c) to perish, cease to exist
1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree)
1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands
1b) (Niphal) to be crossed
1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross
1d) (Hiphil)
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
כָּלָה (kalah) refers to concepts of completion and destruction, encompassing meanings like annihilation and consumption. It is derived from a root meaning to complete and can function as an adverb meaning 'completely' or 'altogether.' The term captures both the idea of a full end and the act of consuming or destroying.
כָּלָה n.f. completion, complete destruction, consumption, annihilation
base
H3617 כָּלָה completion, complete destruction, consumption, annihilation
3617 kalah kaw-law'
from 3615; a completion; adverb, completely; also
destruction:--altogether, (be, utterly) consume(-d),
consummation(-ption), was determined, (full, utter) end,
riddance.
see HEBREW for 03615
כָּלָה (ka.lah) — consumption.
1) completion, termination, full end, complete destruction, consumption, annihilation
1a) completion
1a1) completely, altogether (adv)
1b) complete destruction, consumption, annihilation
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
de-struk'-shun: In the King James Version this word translates over 30 Hebrew words in the Old Testament, and 4 words in the New Testament. Of these the most interesting, as having a technical sense, is 'abhaddon (from verb 'abhadh, "to be lost," "to perish"). It is found 6 times in the Wisdom Literature, and nowhere else in the Old Testament; compare Re 9:11. See ABADDON.
Destruction
In Job 26:6, 28:22 (Heb. abaddon) is sheol, the realm of the dead.
עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.
עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make
Qal 2524
do (1560 t.)
deal with
oft. in phr. do kindness with
abs. act, act with effect
make (670 t.)
produce, yield
prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
make offering
attend to, put in order
observe, celebrate, religious festival
acquire property of various kinds
appoint priests
bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
use
spend, pass, days of life
Niph.
97be done
be made, of concr. things
be produced from vine
be prepared, of food
be offered
be observed, passover
be used
Pu. I was made
base
[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze
base
H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)
. deal with
. oft. in phr. do kindness with
. abs. act, act with effect
. . make (670 + t.)
. produce, yield
. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
. make offering
. attend to, put in order
. observe, celebrate, religious festival
. acquire property of various kinds
. appoint priests
. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
. use
. spend, pass, days of life
. . be done
. . be made, of concr. things
. be produced from vine
. be prepared, of food
. be offered
. be observed, passover
. be used
. I was made
H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze
6213 `asah aw-saw'
a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and
widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,
appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,
bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal
(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)
execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +
finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go
about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X
indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,
make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,
bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,
provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,
spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be
(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.
: do/perform
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
1a2c) to prepare
1a2d) to make (an offering)
1a2e) to attend to, put in order
1a2f) to observe, celebrate
1a2g) to acquire (property)
1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute
1a2i) to bring about
1a2j) to use
1a2k) to spend, pass
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be done
1b2) to be made
1b3) to be produced
1b4) to be offered
1b5) to be observed
1b6) to be used
1c) (Pual) to be made
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.
(Piel) to press, squeeze
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.
: make(OBJECT)
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
מָקוֹם (maqom) means 'place' and encompasses a variety of contexts, including a standing place, station, or post. It can refer to human abodes, localities, regions, and even figurative conditions of body or mind. The term is derived from a root meaning 'standing' and is used broadly in the Old Testament.
מָקוֹם, מָקֹם 399 n.m. standing-place, place
standing-place
station, where soldiers are placed
post, office
place where a thing belongs
esp.
place of human abode
of י׳’s abode
place
in gen. place, locality, spot
space, room
space, distance, between
region, quarter, direction
peculiar uses
base
H4725 מָקוֹם, מָקֹם standing-place, place . . standing-place
. station, where soldiers are placed
. post, office
. . place where a thing belongs
. esp. . place of human abode
. of י׳’s abode
. place
. in gen. place, locality, spot
. . space, room
. space, distance, between
. region, quarter, direction
. peculiar uses
4725 maqowm maw-kome'
or maqom {maw-kome'}; also (feminine) mqowmah {mek-o-mah'};
or mqomah {mek-o-mah'}; from 6965; properly, a standing, i.e.
a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);
also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or
mind):--country, X home, X open, place, room, space, X
whither(-soever).
see HEBREW for 06965
מָקוֹם (ma.qom) — place.
1) standing place, place
1a) standing place, station, post, office
1b) place, place of human abode
1c) city, land, region
1d) place, locality, spot
1e) space, room, distance
1f) region, quarter, direction
1g) give place to, instead of
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3fs
אֹיֵב (oyeb) means 'enemy' or 'foe,' indicating hostility. It can refer to personal or national adversaries. The word is derived from the active participle of another root, אָיַב (ayab), which also conveys the sense of being hostile.
[אָיַב] 283 vb. be hostile to (enemy = אֹיֵב)
base
H341 אָיַב be hostile to (enemy = אֹיֵב)
341 'oyeb o-yabe'
or (fully) owyeb {o-yabe'}; active participle of 340;
hating; an adversary:--enemy, foe.
see HEBREW for 0340
אֹיֵב (o.yev) — enemy.
1) (Qal) enemy
1a) personal
1b) national
Conj | V-Qal | Suff — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffixHC/Vqrmpc/Sp3ms
רָדַף (radaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to pursue, chase, or persecute. It conveys the idea of running after something, often with hostile intent, and can also figuratively refer to following time or securing something. The word has various forms, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, and Hiphil, each indicating different nuances of pursuit or being pursued.
רָדַף 141 vb. pursue, chase, persecute
Qal 128
pursue
lit. put to flight, chase
lit., the pursuers
chase, hunt
pursue
fig. persecute, harass
pursue, dog
fig. follow after, aim to secure
Niph. upon the neck (i.e. closely) we are pursued
Pi. pursue ardently
Pu. it shall be chased away like chaff of the mountains
Hiph. usu. they chased him
base
H7291 רָדַף pursue, chase, persecute
7291 radaph raw-daf'
a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent;
figuratively (of time) gone by):--chase, put to flight,
follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or),
pursue(-r).
רָדַף (ra.daph) — to pursue.
1) to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon
1a2) to persecute, harass (fig)
1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig)
1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be pursued
1b2) one pursued (participle)
1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue
1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away
1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singularHVpi3ms
חֹ֫שֶׁךְ (choshek) refers to darkness or obscurity, both in a literal sense and in various figurative contexts such as distress, ignorance, and evil. It can also denote secret or hiding places. The word is built from a root meaning 'dark' and encompasses a range of meanings related to judgment and confusion.
חֹ֫שֶׁךְ n.m. darkness, obscurity
darkness (opp. אוֹר)
= secret place(s); = hiding-place
fig.
= distress
= dread, terror, symbol. of judgment
= mourning
= perplexity; confusion
= ignorance
= evil, sin
= obscurity
base
H2822 חֹ֫שֶׁךְ darkness, obscurity . darkness (opp. אוֹר)
. = secret place(s); = hiding-place
. fig. . = distress
. = dread, terror, symbol. of judgment
. = mourning
. = perplexity; confusion
. = ignorance
. = evil, sin
. = obscurity
2822 choshek kho-shek'
from 2821; the dark; hence (literally) darkness;
figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow,
wickedness:--dark(-ness), night, obscurity.
see HEBREW for 02821
חֹ֫שֶׁךְ (cho.shekh) — darkness.
1) darkness, obscurity
1a) darkness
1b) secret place
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
Darkness
The plague (the ninth) of darkness in Egypt (Ex. 10:21) is described as darkness “which may be felt.” It covered “all the land of Egypt,” so that “they saw not one another.” It did not extend to the land of Goshen (ver. 23).
When Jesus hung upon the cross (Matt. 27:45; Luke 23:44), from the “sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.”
is spoken of as encompassing the actual presence of God, as that out of which he speaks, --the envelope, as it were, of divine glory. (Exodus 20:21; 1 Kings 8:12) The plague of darkness in Egypt was miraculous. The darkness "over all the land," (Matthew 27:45) attending the crucifixion has been attributed to an eclipse, but was undoubtedly miraculous, as no eclipse of the sun could have taken place at that time, the moon being at the full at the time of the passover. Darkness is also, as in the expression "land of darkness," used for the state of the dead, (Job 10:21,22) and frequently, figuratively, for ignorance and unbelief, as the privation of spiritual light. (
The absence of natural light, Ge 1:2, and hence figuratively a state of misery and adversity, Job 18:6 Ps 107:10 Isa 8:22 9:1; also the absence of the sun and stars, and hence the fall of chief men and national convulsions, Isa 13:10 Ac 2:20. "Works of darkness," are the impure mysteries practiced in heathen worship, Eph 5:11. "Outer darkness" illustrates the gloom of those on whom the gates of heaven are closed, Mt 8:12. The darkness in Egypt,