English · KJV
H4155

מוּעָף

mûwʻâph /moo-awf'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom עוּף
Meaningproperly, covered, i.e. dark; abstractly, obscurity, i.e. distress
KJV usagedimness.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mûwʻâph — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word mûwʻâph, represented by H4155, describes a state of dimness or obscurity. Rooted in a word meaning "covered," it conveys a sense of darkness and abstractly refers to distress. This specific term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, highlighting its very particular application.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole use of H4155 is in the prophecy of Isaiah. It is used to describe a condition that will not be like the "vexation" that previously befell the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. The verse contrasts a past state where God "lightly afflicted" the land with a subsequent one where He "did more grievously afflict" the region, setting the stage for the dimness H4155 mentioned Isaiah 9:1.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words found in its single context help clarify the meaning of H4155:

  • H4164 mûwtsaq: This word for vexation appears alongside H4155 in Isaiah 9:1. Defined as "narrowness; figuratively, distress," it reinforces the theme of anguish and being straitened. It is used elsewhere to describe waters that are "straitened" by frost Job 37:10.
  • H3513 kâbad: Used in Isaiah 9:1 to state God "did more grievously afflict" the land. The root means "to be heavy," which can signify either a grievous burden or, in a good sense, glory and honor. This dual meaning is seen when it is used to "honour" one's father and mother Exodus 20:12 or when the LORD's ear is "heavy" Isaiah 59:1.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4155 is concentrated in its singular, powerful appearance.

  • A Symbol of Affliction: The dimness described is not a natural state but a direct result of being "grievously afflict[ed]" Isaiah 9:1. It serves as a potent image for the consequences of judgment and the heavy distress it brings upon a people.
  • The Darkness Before Dawn: In its context in Isaiah 9:1, "dimness" is introduced by the word "Nevertheless," setting it up as a dark backdrop against which a future, contrasting hope will be revealed. It defines the severity of the situation that requires divine intervention.
  • A State of Spiritual Distress: Drawing from its base definition of "obscurity" and its association with "vexation" H4164, the term signifies more than a lack of light; it represents a state of spiritual hardship, confusion, and distress.

Summary

In summary, H4155 mûwʻâph is a highly specific term for dimness and distress. Its single use in Scripture powerfully illustrates a state of profound affliction and obscurity. Paired with words denoting vexation and heavy affliction, it captures a moment of deep national trouble within Isaiah's prophecy, serving as the darkness that precedes a promised, and fundamentally different, future.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מוּעָף

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H4164 מוּצַק or מוּצָק; from יָצַק; narrowness; figuratively, distress; anguish, is straitened, straitness. H3513 כָּבַד or כָּבֵד; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, r

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Isaiah — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.