Darkness- Hebrew Meaning
Darkness is the absence of light or the state of being without illumination.
The Hebrew meaning of darkness in Isaiah depends on the context and the word used.
There are two main Hebrew words for darkness: choshek and araphel.
Choshek
Choshek is the conventional word for darkness, meaning the absence of light.
It is used in the first two verses of the Bible, where God created light and separated it from the darkness.
Genesis 1:1-4 reads:
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters.
And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness."
Choshek can also have figurative meanings, such as distress, terror, evil, sin, ignorance, or obscurity.
For example, in Isaiah 5:20, choshek is contrasted with light as a metaphor for moral values:
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."
Araphel
Araphel is a different word for darkness, meaning a thick cloud, gloom, or heavy darkness.
It is often associated with the presence of God, especially in theophanies or manifestations of God’s glory.
For example, in Exodus 20:21, Moses approached the thick darkness (araphel) where God was on Mount Sinai.
Araphel can also be a symbol of God’s judgment or wrath. For example, in Isaiah 60:2, araphel covers the earth and the nations, but the glory of the Lord rises upon Israel:
"For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness (araphel) the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you."
