redupl. from כָּמַר; obscuration (as if from shrinkage of light, i.e. an eclipse (only in plural); blackness.
Transliteration:kimrîyr
Pronunciation:kim-reer'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term כִּמְרִיר (kimrîyr), Strong's H3650, denotes an intense form of obscuration or blackness. Its etymological root is found in כָּמַר (kamar), Strong's `{{H3648}}`, which primarily conveys the sense of "to be or grow warm," "to be hot," or "to be inflamed," often metaphorically describing inward churning or yearning. The reduplicated form of *kimrîyr* suggests an intensified or repeated action of the root, leading to a profound effect. In this case, the definition points to "obscuration (as if from shrinkage of light, i.e., an eclipse)" and "blackness." This implies a darkness that is not merely an absence of light, but a dense, oppressive, and actively consuming gloom. The note that it occurs "only in plural" further emphasizes this intensity, suggesting "dense darknesses" or "deep obscurations," highlighting a multiplicity or overwhelming nature of this profound darkness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term כִּמְרִיר (kimrîyr) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in the book of Job.
* **[[Job 3:5]]:** "Let darkness and the shadow of death reclaim it; let a cloud settle upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it." (ESV)
* Here, *kimrîr* is rendered as "blackness" (כִּמְרִירֵי יוֹם - *kimrîrê yôm* - "the blacknesses of day"). This verse is part of Job's profound lament, where he curses the day of his birth. Overwhelmed by his suffering, Job wishes for the day of his conception and birth to be utterly consumed, obliterated by the most extreme forms of darkness and chaos.
* The use of the plural *kimrîrê* emphasizes the extreme, overwhelming nature of the darkness Job desires. It is not just a dimming of light, but a terrifying, active, and oppressive force that would utterly consume the day.
* The word is strategically placed within a semantic field of profound gloom and despair, appearing alongside "darkness" (חֹשֶׁךְ - *choshek*), "shadow of death" (צַלְמָוֶת - *tsalmawet*), and "cloud" (עָנָן - *anan*). This combination paints a vivid picture of a day swallowed by primeval chaos and ultimate non-existence, reflecting the depth of Job's anguish and his desire for the undoing of his own creation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The unique nature and singular occurrence of *kimrîyr* make its connections particularly insightful:
* **Root Word כָּמַר (kamar):** Strong's `{{H3648}}`. While its primary meaning is related to heat, burning, or inward churning, the reduplicated form *kimrîyr* demonstrates a fascinating semantic shift. It suggests the *effect* of such intense heat or consumption on light, leading to its obscuration or the resulting blackness. Alternatively, it could imply a darkness so intense it feels like a consuming heat.
* **General Terms for Darkness:**
* חֹשֶׁךְ (choshek): Strong's `{{H2822}}`. The most common Hebrew word for darkness, often associated with primordial chaos ([[Genesis 1:2]]), judgment ([[Exodus 10:21]]), or the unknown.
* עֲרָפֶל (araphel): Strong's `{{H6205}}`. Denotes thick darkness or gloom, frequently used in contexts of divine manifestation, such as the darkness surrounding Mount Sinai ([[Exodus 20:21]]).
* צַלְמָוֶת (tsalmawet): Strong's `{{H6757}}`. Literally "shadow of death," signifying deep darkness, often associated with mortal danger, the grave, or the realm of the dead.
* **Concepts:** Eclipse, profound gloom, despair, chaos, anti-creation, divine judgment (though not directly linked to *kimrîyr* in Job, intense darkness is often a biblical motif for judgment). The word encapsulates a state of being utterly overwhelmed by a consuming, terrifying absence of light and hope.
### Theological Significance
The singular yet powerful appearance of *kimrîyr* in Job's lament carries profound theological weight:
* **The Nature of Darkness:** In biblical theology, darkness is frequently contrasted with God's light and order. It often symbolizes chaos, judgment, sin, and death. *Kimrîyr* represents an extreme manifestation of this negative aspect—a terrifying, consuming blackness that actively seeks to reclaim or obliterate. It is antithetical to the life-giving and ordering presence of God.
* **Job's Despair and the Undoing of Creation:** Job's desire for the day of his birth to be consumed by *kimrîrîm* is a cry from the depths of profound despair. It reflects a wish for non-existence, a reversal of the creative act where God brought light out of darkness ([[Genesis 1:3]]). By wishing for such a profound darkness, Job expresses a longing for the undoing of his own entry into a world of suffering, seeking refuge in the primordial, unformed chaos.
* **Contrast with Divine Light:** This word stands in stark opposition to the biblical portrayal of God as light ([[Psalm 27:1]], [[1 John 1:5]]) and the source of all light. The desire for *kimrîrîm* is a desire for a world devoid of God's illuminating and sustaining presence, highlighting the spiritual and emotional desolation that can accompany extreme suffering.
* **Human Experience of Suffering:** *Kimrîr* powerfully articulates the human experience of being utterly overwhelmed by sorrow, where hope and light are not merely absent but actively consumed by an oppressive, terrifying gloom. It speaks to a state where the soul feels swallowed by an impenetrable darkness, longing for an end to existence itself.
### Summary
The Hebrew word כִּמְרִיר (kimrîyr), Strong's `{{H3650}}`, denotes an intense, terrifying blackness or profound obscuration, akin to an eclipse, and is used only in the plural to emphasize its overwhelming nature. Derived from a root meaning "to be hot" or "inflamed," its reduplicated form suggests a consuming, active darkness. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Job 3:5]] powerfully conveys Job's utter despair, as he curses the day of his birth, wishing for its complete obliteration by this terrifying gloom. Theologically, *kimrîyr* represents an extreme manifestation of darkness, standing in stark contrast to God's light and order, symbolizing chaos, non-existence, and the profound human experience of being consumed by suffering and despair. It highlights the biblical understanding of darkness as an oppressive force antithetical to life and divine creation.
TRV