The Hebrew word nesheph, represented by H5399, refers to the transitional periods of dusk and dawn. Its base definition is "properly, a breeze, i.e. (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze prevails); dark, dawning of the day (morning), night, twilight." It appears 12 times across 12 unique verses in the Bible, often marking a time of significant action or metaphorical weight.
In biblical narratives, H5399 denotes a time of both opportunity and peril. It is the time when the adulterer H5003 waits, disguising his face H6440 in the hope that no eye H5869 will see him Job 24:15. It is also the "black H380 and dark H653 night H3915" when a trap is set for the unsuspecting Proverbs 7:9. Prophetically, it symbolizes a time of judgment, where feet H7272 stumble H5062 on dark H5399 mountains H2022 and light H216 turns into the shadow of death H6757 Jeremiah 13:16. Conversely, it can be a moment of decisive action, as when David H1732 smote H5221 his enemies from the twilight H5399 until the evening H6153 1 Samuel 30:17 or when the Syrian army fled H5127 in the twilight H5399, leaving their camp H4264 behind 2 Kings 7:7.
Several related words help define the context of H5399:
- H1242 bôqer (morning): As the opposite of the darkness associated with H5399, bôqer signifies the arrival of light and joy. It is used to describe the time when weeping ends and joy H7440 comes Psalms 30:5.
- H6153 ʻereb (dusk): This word is often used in parallel with H5399 to specify the time of evening. For example, a scene is set "in the twilight H5399, in the evening H6153" to describe the progression into deep night Proverbs 7:9.
- H6757 tsalmâveth (shadow of death): This term highlights the figurative danger associated with the darkness of H5399. In a prophecy of judgment, light H216 that is looked for is turned into the shadow of death Jeremiah 13:16.
The theological weight of H5399 is evident in its symbolic usage.
- A Time for Secrecy and Sin: The twilight is often depicted as a cover for immoral deeds. The adulterer waits for this time Job 24:15, and those who follow H7291 strong drink H7941 continue H309 their revelry until night H5399 Isaiah 5:11.
- A Metaphor for Judgment and Confusion: The darkness of H5399 is used to illustrate spiritual blindness and calamity. Israel is warned of stumbling on "dark mountains" Jeremiah 13:16, and in their sin, they "stumble H3782 at noonday H6672 as in the night H5399" Isaiah 59:10.
- A Pivotal Moment of Transition: H5399 also marks the edge of darkness before the light. The Psalmist rises before "the dawning of the morning H5399" to cry out and hope H3176 in God's word H1697 Psalms 119:147. In Job's despair, he longs for the tossings to and fro H5076 to end at "the dawning of the day H5399" Job 7:4.
In summary, H5399 is a multifaceted term that captures the essence of twilight and dawn. It is not merely a marker of time but a symbol rich with meaning. It can represent the gloom of moral compromise and divine judgment, a time when evil is hidden and people stumble in darkness. However, it also represents a critical turning point, a time of decisive battles and the moment just before hope and light break forth. It illustrates the tension between darkness and the dawning of a new day.
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