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.” On Mount Sinai, Moses (Ex. 20:21) “drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.” This was the “thick cloud upon the mount” in which Jehovah was when he spake unto Moses there. The Lord dwelt in the cloud upon the mercy-seat (1 Kings 8:12), the cloud of glory. When the psalmist (Ps. 97:2) describes the inscrutable nature of God’s workings among the sons of men, he says, “Clouds and darkness are round about him.” God dwells in thick darkness. Darkness (Isa. 13:9, 10; Matt. 24:29) also is a symbol of the judgments that attend on the coming of the Lord. It is a symbol of misery and adversity (Job 18:6; Ps. 107:10; Isa. 8:22; Ezek. 30:18). The “day of darkness” in Joel 2:2, caused by clouds of locusts, is a symbol of the obscurity which overhangs all divine proceedings. “Works of darkness” are impure actions (Eph. 5:11). “Outer darkness” refers to the darkness of the streets in the East, which are never lighted up by any public or private lamps after nightfall, in contrast with the blaze of cheerful light in the house. It is also a symbol of ignorance (Isa. 9:2; 60:2; Matt. 6:23) and of death (Job 10:21; 17:13).

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. (John 1:5; 3:19)

DARK'NESS. The darkness which constituted one of the plagues of Egypt might "be felt." Ex 10:21. This may have been occasioned by a thick, heavy vapor, or other sensible change in the atmosphere, which caused an entire interception of the sun's rays. It was evidently miraculous, and the dread and terror it inspired are vividly described. Ex 10:22-23. So of the darkness that shrouded the earth when our Saviour was put to death, Luke 23:44-45; it was manifestly miraculous, as no natural eclipse of the sun could take place at that period of the moon. "Darkness" is used in a metaphorical sense for ignorance or sin, John 1:5; Rom 13:12; Eph 5:11; for misery, Isa 5:30; Isa 59:9-10; for the final doom, Matt 8:12, God is said to dwell in the thick darkness. Ex 20:21; 1 Kgs 8:12.

DARK'NESS. The darkness which constituted one of the plagues of Egypt might "be felt." Ex 10:21. This may have been occasioned by a thick, heavy vapor, or other sensible change in the atmosphere, which caused an entire interception of the sun's rays. It was evidently miraculous, and the dread and terror it inspired are vividly described. Ex 10:22-23. So of the darkness that shrouded the earth when our Saviour was put to death, Luke 23:44-45; it was manifestly miraculous, as no natural eclipse of the sun could take place at that period of the moon. "Darkness" is used in a metaphorical sense for ignorance or sin, John 1:5; Rom 13:12; Eph 5:11; for misery, Isa 5:30; Isa 59:9-10; for the final doom, Matt 8:12, God is said to dwell in the thick darkness. Ex 20:21; 1 Kgs 8:12.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The absence of light; blackness; obscurity; gloom. And darkness was upon the face of the deep. Gen. i. 2.

2. A state of privacy; secrecy. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light. Matt. x. 27.

3. A state of ignorance or error, especially on moral or religious subjects; hence, wickedness; impurity. Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John. iii. 19. Pursue these sons of darkness: drive them out From all heaven's bounds. Milton.

4. Want of clearness or perspicuity; obscurity; as, the darkness of a subject, or of a discussion.

5. A state of distress or trouble. A day of clouds and of thick darkness. Joel. ii. 2. Prince of darkness, the Devil; Satan. "In the power of the Prince of darkness." Locke.

Synonyms: Darkness, Dimness, Obscurity, Gloom. Darkness arises from a total, and dimness from a partial, want of light. A thing is obscure when so overclouded or covered as not to be easily perceived. As tha shade or obscurity increases, it deepens into gloom. What is dark is hidden from view; what is obscure is difficult to perceive or penetrate; the eye becomes dim with age; an impending storm fills the atmosphere with gloom. When taken figuratively, these words have a like use; as, the darkness of ignorance; dimness of discernment; obscurity of reasoning; gloom of superstition.