Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and SymbolismIn the Bible, blackness often symbolizes mourning, suffering, or judgment. It is used metaphorically to describe a state of despair or calamity. The imagery of blackness can also represent the absence of light, which is frequently associated with the presence of God, truth, and righteousness.
Biblical References1.
Mourning and Suffering Blackness is associated with mourning and suffering in several passages. In the book of Job, Job describes his condition using the imagery of blackness: "My skin grows black and peels, and my bones burn with fever" (
Job 30:30). This description highlights the depth of Job's affliction and sorrow.
2.
Judgment and Calamity The prophets often use blackness to depict the coming judgment and calamity upon nations. In
Jeremiah 4:28, the prophet declares, "For this the earth will mourn, and the heavens above grow dark. I have spoken; I have purposed and will not relent, nor will I turn back." Here, the darkening of the heavens symbolizes the severity of God's impending judgment.
3.
Absence of Light Blackness is also used to describe the absence of divine light and guidance. In
Exodus 10:21-23, during the plague of darkness in Egypt, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over the land of Egypt—a darkness that can be felt.' So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days." This tangible darkness signifies the withdrawal of God's presence and favor.
4.
Spiritual Darkness In the New Testament, blackness can symbolize spiritual darkness or ignorance. In
Jude 1:13, false teachers are described as "wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever." This imagery underscores the eternal separation from God that awaits those who reject His truth.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Near Eastern cultures, blackness was often associated with mourning rituals. Sackcloth, a coarse, dark fabric, was worn during times of grief and repentance. This cultural practice is reflected in biblical accounts, where wearing sackcloth and ashes is a common expression of lamentation and humility before God (e.g.,
Jonah 3:5-6).
Theological ImplicationsThe use of blackness in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for the human condition apart from God. It illustrates the consequences of sin, the reality of divine judgment, and the need for repentance and redemption. The contrast between darkness and light is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the transformative power of God's presence and the hope found in His salvation.
ConclusionWhile blackness in the Bible often conveys negative connotations, it also serves as a backdrop against which the light of God's grace and truth shines more brightly. The imagery of blackness invites believers to seek the light of Christ, who dispels darkness and brings life and hope to a fallen world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The quality or state of being black; black color; atrociousness or enormity in wickedness.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BLACKNESS(kimririm, "obscurations"; qadhruth, "darkness"; gnophos, "darkness" zophos "blackness"): Terms rarely used but of special significance in picturing the fearful gloom and blackness of moral darkness and calamity. Job, cursing, the day of his birth, wishes that it, a dies ater ("dead black day"), might be swallowed up in darkness (Job 3:5). Because of Israel's spiritual infidelity Yahweh clothes the heavens with the blackness of sackcloth (Isaiah 50:3), the figure being that of the inky blackness of ominous, terrifying thunder clouds. The fearful judgment against sin under the old dispensation is illustrated by the appalling blackness that enveloped smoking, burning, quaking Sinai at the giving of the law (Hebrews 12:18; compareExodus 19:16-19;Exodus 20:18). The horror of darkness culminates in the impenetrable blackness of the under-world, the eternal abode of fallen angels and riotously immoral and ungodly men (Jude 1:13; see alsoJude 1:6 and2 Peter 2:4, 17). Human language is here too feeble to picture the m oral gloom and rayless night of the lost: "Pits (the King James Version "chains") of darkness" (compare the ninth plague of Egypt, "darkness which may be felt" (Exodus 10:21)). Wicked men are "wandering stars," comets that disappear in "blackness of darkness. reserved for ever." In art this figurative language has found majestic and awe-inspiring expression in Dore's illustrations of Dante's Purgatory and Milton's Paradise Lost.
Dwight M. Pratt
Greek
2217. zophos -- deep gloom...blackness, darkness, mist. Akin to the base of nephos; gloom (as shrouding
like a cloud) --
blackness, darkness, mist. see GREEK nephos.
...1105. gnophos -- darkness, gloom
... Word Origin from dnophos (darkness) Definition darkness, gloom NASB Word Usage darkness
(1).blackness. Akin to nephos; gloom (as of a storm) --blackness....
Strong's Hebrew
7839. shacharuth --blackness... 7838, 7839. shacharuth. 7840 .
blackness. Transliteration: shacharuth
Phonetic Spelling: (shakh-ar-ooth') Short Definition: life.
...7815. shechor --blackness
... 7814, 7815. shechor. 7816 .blackness. Transliteration: shechor Phonetic
Spelling: (shekh-ore') Short Definition: soot. Word Origin...
6940. qadruth -- darkness, gloom
... 6939, 6940. qadruth. 6941 . darkness, gloom. Transliteration: qadruth Phonetic
Spelling: (kad-rooth') Short Definition:blackness....blackness....
3650. kimrir -- darkness, gloominess
... 3649, 3650. kimrir. 3651 . darkness, gloominess. Transliteration: kimrir Phonetic
Spelling: (kim-reer') Short Definition:blackness....blackness. Redupl....
6289. parur -- perhaps beauty
...blackness. From pa'ar; properly, illuminated, ie A glow; as noun, a flush (of anxiety) --
blackness. see HEBREW pa'ar. 6288, 6289. parur. 6290 ....
Library
Hebrews xii. 18-24
... Hebrews xii. 18-24. Hebrews xii.18-24 "For ye are not come unto a fire [3422] that
might be touched and that burned, and untoblackness, and darkness, and...
The Wordless Book
... is something about this in the text, for the person who used this prayer said,
"Wash me," so he was black and needed to be washed; and theblackness was of...
Look not Upon Me Because I am Dark-Colored, Because the Sun Hath...
... have I not kept. Why is it that the betrothed asks that they will not look
upon her in herblackness? Because the soul, entering...
I am Black, but Comely, O Ye Daughters of Jerusalem, as the Tents...
... that she is black. What is this thyblackness, O thou incomparable maiden?
(we say to her;) tell us, we pray thee. I am black, she...
Whether all Sorrow is Contrary to all Pleasure?
... Because, just as whiteness andblackness are contrary species of color, so pleasure
and sorrow are contrary species of the soul's passions....
The Life of Mr. Andrew Melvil.
... into ward, he would not be released, unless it should be to bring him to the scaffold,
that the decree of the council was altered, andBlackness was appointed...
The King --Continued.
... It is like some distant thunder-cloud which grows on the horizon into ominousblackness,
and seems to be filling its ashen-coloured depths with store of...
Sin and Grace
... but death came by sin and after death comes judgment, and, to the ungodly, the doom
that never can be desired, the eternal wrath whoseblackness the wildest...
The Death of Christ for his People
... heart, so vile and so deceitful. I thought that then I had seen the exceeding
blackness of my sin. Alas! I had not seen enough of...
Of the Law and a Christian
... 2. When he gave it the first time, it was with thunderings and lightnings, with
blackness and darkness, with flame and smoke, and a tearing sound of the trumpet...
Thesaurus
Blackness (13 Occurrences)... (n.) The quality or state of being black; black color; atrociousness or enormity
in wickedness. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BLACKNESS.
...Black (52 Occurrences)
... regard one with black looks. 5. (adv.) Sullenly; threateningly; maliciously;
so as to produceblackness. 6. (n.) That which is destitute...
Nether (19 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm; for whom
theblackness of darkness has been reserved forever. (See RSV)....
Reserved (28 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm; for
whom theblackness of darkness has been reserved forever....
Blackest (5 Occurrences)
... Blackest (5 Occurrences). 2 Peter 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds driven
by a storm; for whom theblackness of darkness has been reserved forever....
Storm (62 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Hebrews 12:18 For you have not come to a mountain that might be touched,
and that burned with fire, and toblackness, darkness, storm, (WEB WEY NIV)....
Darkness (177 Occurrences)
... 13). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The absence of light;blackness;
obscurity; gloom. 2. (n.) A state of privacy; secrecy. 3...
Forever (426 Occurrences)
... Amen. (WEB NAS). 2 Peter 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds driven by a
storm; for whom theblackness of darkness has been reserved forever. (WEB)....
Vilifying (1 Occurrence)
... Vilifying (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 20:20 Whoso is vilifying his father and his mother,
Extinguished is his lamp inblackness of darkness. (YLT)....
Out-places (22 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Lamentations 4:8 Darker thanblackness hath been their visage, They have
not been known in out-places, Cleaved hath their skin unto their bone, It hath...
Resources
What is Tenebrae? What is a Tenebrae service? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about astronomy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are presumptuous sins? | GotQuestions.orgBlackness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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