a primitive root; to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken; be black, be (make) dark, darken, cause darkness, be dim, hide.
Transliteration:châshak
Pronunciation:khaw-shak'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb H2821 (חָשַׁךְ, *châshak*) is a primitive root primarily signifying "to be dark" or "to become dark." Its core meaning revolves around the absence or withholding of light. This can manifest in several ways within its semantic range:
1. **Literal Darkness:** The most direct sense refers to the physical state of being dark, as in the obscuring of the sun, the coming of night, or a thick cloud cover. It denotes a lack of illumination.
2. **Transitive Action:** It can also mean "to darken" or "to cause darkness," indicating an active process of bringing about obscurity.
3. **Figurative Dimness/Obscurity:** Beyond literal light, H2821 is used metaphorically to describe the dimming of sight (physical or spiritual), the obscuring of understanding, or the fading of vitality.
4. **Concealment/Hiding:** By extension, to darken can imply to hide or conceal something, making it invisible or difficult to perceive.
5. **Judgment/Affliction:** In a theological context, darkness often symbolizes divine judgment, distress, sorrow, or a state of spiritual ignorance and moral depravity.
The root captures both the passive state of being dark and the active process of making something dark, encompassing physical, sensory, and spiritual dimensions of obscurity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb H2821 appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, illustrating its diverse applications:
* **Literal Darkness:** In [[Exodus 10:21]], it describes the "thick darkness" that came over the land of Egypt during the ninth plague, a tangible manifestation of divine power and judgment. Similarly, prophetic texts often use H2821 to depict cosmic disturbances, such as the sun and moon being darkened as signs of the Day of the Lord [[Isaiah 5:30]], [[Amos 8:9]], [[Joel 2:10]]. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty over creation.
* **Dimming of Sight/Vitality:** The word is used to describe the physical dimming of eyes, often associated with old age or sorrow. In [[Ecclesiastes 12:3]], it refers to the "darkening" of those who look through the windows, a poetic description of failing eyesight in old age. In [[Lamentations 5:17]], the eyes grow "dim" because of the desolation of Zion, reflecting deep sorrow and despair.
* **Obscuring Understanding/Counsel:** In [[Job 38:2]], God challenges Job, asking, "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?" Here, H2821 signifies the act of making understanding obscure or unintelligible through misguided speech. This usage underscores the importance of clear, wise counsel versus confused or ignorant discourse.
* **Divine Judgment and Affliction:** H2821 frequently denotes a state of distress or judgment. In [[Jeremiah 13:16]], the prophet warns the people to give glory to the Lord "before your feet stumble on the dark mountains," symbolizing impending judgment and calamity. [[Ezekiel 30:18]] speaks of the day being "darkened" for Egypt, signifying its downfall and destruction.
* **Concealment (Divine Perspective):** While darkness often conceals from human sight, the psalmist declares in [[Psalm 139:12]], "even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day; for darkness is as light with you." This profound statement uses H2821 to emphasize God's omnipresence and omniscience, showing that what is hidden from humans is fully known to God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of H2821 is enriched by examining its relationship with other key Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **H2822 (חֹשֶׁךְ - *choshek*):** This is the noun form directly derived from H2821, meaning "darkness." It is the most common word for darkness in the Old Testament and frequently appears alongside H2821 or in contexts that illuminate the verb's meaning. For instance, the "thick darkness" in [[Exodus 10:21]] uses both the verb H2821 and the noun H2822.
* **H216 (אוֹר - *'or*):** This is the primary Hebrew word for "light" and serves as the fundamental antonym to H2821 and H2822. The creation narrative in [[Genesis 1:2-4]] establishes the foundational theological contrast between primeval darkness and God's commanded light.
* **H652 (אָפַל - *'aphal*):** Another verb meaning "to grow dark" or "to be gloomy," often used in contexts of distress or judgment, similar to H2821 but less frequent.
* **H6205 (עָרַב - *'arav*):** To set (of the sun), to become evening, thus implying the onset of darkness.
* **Concepts:**
* **Creation and Chaos:** Darkness is intimately linked to the pre-creation state of chaos (tohu va-bohu) and the divine act of separating light from darkness.
* **Divine Judgment and Wrath:** Darkness serves as a pervasive symbol of God's judgment, often accompanying expressions of divine wrath and the "Day of the Lord."
* **Sin and Ignorance:** Spiritual darkness is frequently equated with moral depravity, ignorance, and separation from God.
* **Wisdom and Folly:** The contrast between light (wisdom, understanding) and darkness (folly, confusion) is a recurring theme in wisdom literature.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H2821 is profound, extending beyond mere physical description to encompass deep spiritual and moral truths.
1. **God's Sovereignty Over Darkness:** From the very beginning of creation, God is depicted as sovereign over darkness. He does not merely dispel darkness but "calls" it night [[Genesis 1:5]], demonstrating His control. Even in the midst of thick darkness, God can be present and active, as seen in the theophany at Sinai [[Deuteronomy 5:23]]. This highlights that darkness is not an independent evil force but a created reality under God's dominion.
2. **Symbol of Judgment and Wrath:** Throughout the prophetic literature, H2821 is a powerful symbol of divine judgment. Cosmic darkening (sun, moon, stars) often precedes or accompanies the "Day of the Lord," signifying a time of reckoning and the disruption of the natural order as a consequence of human sin. This serves as a stark warning and a call to repentance.
3. **Spiritual State of Humanity:** Figuratively, H2821 depicts a state of spiritual blindness, ignorance, and moral depravity. Those who are "darkened" in their understanding are alienated from the life of God [[Ephesians 4:18]]. This spiritual darkness is often a result of sin and rebellion against God's light and truth.
4. **Contrast with Divine Light:** The pervasive use of H2821 creates a stark contrast with the concept of God as light. God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all [[1 John 1:5]]. The path of the righteous is often described as light, while the wicked stumble in darkness, unaware of what makes them fall [[Proverbs 4:18-19]]. This dualism emphasizes the moral and spiritual choices before humanity.
5. **Concealment and Revelation:** While darkness can hide things from human perception, it cannot hide anything from God. H2821 in [[Psalm 139:12]] beautifully illustrates God's omnipresence and omniscience, where even darkness is as light to Him. This assures believers that God sees all, and nothing is hidden from His gaze, whether for judgment or for comfort.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb H2821 (חָשַׁךְ, *châshak*) fundamentally means "to be dark" or "to cause darkness." Its semantic range extends from literal physical obscurity, as seen in the plagues of Egypt or cosmic judgments, to figurative expressions of dimness, sorrow, and intellectual or spiritual ignorance. The word frequently appears in contexts describing failing eyesight, the obscuring of counsel, and the onset of divine judgment. Theologically, H2821 serves as a potent symbol of God's sovereignty over all creation, including the natural order of light and darkness. It powerfully conveys the reality of divine judgment and the spiritual state of humanity alienated from God's truth. Crucially, H2821 stands in stark contrast to the divine attribute of light, emphasizing God's omniscience and the moral imperative for humanity to walk in His illuminating truth rather than stumble in spiritual darkness.
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