I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.
I clothe {H3847} the heavens {H8064} with blackness {H6940}, and I make {H7760} sackcloth {H8242} their covering {H3682}.
I dress the heavens in black to mourn and make their covering sackcloth."
I clothe the heavens in black and make sackcloth their covering.”
I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.
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Revelation 6:12
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; -
Psalms 18:11
He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies. -
Psalms 18:12
At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire. -
Exodus 10:21
¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness [which] may be felt. -
Matthew 27:45
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
Isaiah 50:3 KJV presents a powerful declaration from God, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and control over creation, even to the point of altering the cosmic order. This verse uses vivid, anthropomorphic language to describe divine power in a dramatic way.
Context of Isaiah 50:3
This verse is part of a section in Isaiah (chapters 40-55) often referred to as the "Book of Comfort" or the "Servant Songs," though Isaiah 50 itself focuses on God's unwavering power and the obedience of His Servant. Immediately preceding this verse, God challenges Israel's doubt, reminding them of His immense power to dry up the sea and turn rivers into a wilderness (see Isaiah 50:2). Verse 3 continues this theme, demonstrating His authority over the very heavens, underscoring that nothing is beyond His capability, whether in judgment or redemption.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "blackness," choshek (חֹשֶׁךְ), is commonly used for literal darkness but frequently carries theological weight, representing chaos, evil, or divine judgment. "Sackcloth," saq (שַׂק), is a coarse, dark material with a strong cultural association with grief, humility, and penitence. When God clothes the heavens with these, it's not merely a meteorological event but a profound, symbolic statement of His power to bring about significant, even somber, change.
Practical Application and Reflection
Isaiah 50:3 serves as a powerful reminder of God's absolute sovereignty and immense power over all creation. It encourages awe and reverence for Him, understanding that His control extends beyond human comprehension. For believers, this truth can bring comfort in times of chaos, knowing that God is ultimately in control, even when circumstances seem dark. It also underscores the seriousness of divine judgment, prompting a call to humility and repentance. This cosmic imagery reminds us that God's actions have profound and far-reaching implications, affecting not just humanity but the very fabric of the universe He created.