The Hebrew word ʻălâṭâh, represented by H5939, is a feminine noun from an unused root meaning to cover, and it signifies dusk, dark, or twilight. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible, consistently marking a period of deep shadow and transition from light into darkness.
In its biblical usage, H5939 marks moments of profound significance. Its first appearance is during the establishment of God's covenant with Abram, where "when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces" Genesis 15:17. The remaining occurrences are found in Ezekiel, where the word describes the setting for a prophetic sign-act. The prophet is commanded to bring his belongings out "in the twilight" to symbolize the coming exile, a furtive action performed under the cover of dusk (Ezekiel 12:6, Ezekiel 12:7, Ezekiel 12:12).
Several related words provide context for the time of day and the actions associated with H5939:
- H6153 ʻereb (dusk): This word for dusk or evening is used in parallel with H5939 in Ezekiel's prophecy, where he digs through a wall in the even before bringing his things forth in the twilight Ezekiel 12:7.
- H8121 shemesh (the sun): This word for the sun establishes the condition for darkness. The deep dark of H5939 occurs only after the sun has gone down, as described in God's covenant with Abram Genesis 15:17.
- H935 bôwʼ (to go or come): This primitive root describes the action that precipitates the darkness in Genesis 15:17, when the sun went down. It is a versatile verb indicating movement or arrival.
The theological weight of H5939 is concentrated in its specific, dramatic contexts.
- Solemn Divine Appointment: The term is used to mark a moment of profound divine activity. The deep dark provides a solemn backdrop for God's presence, represented by the furnace and lamp, as He formalizes His covenant with Abram Genesis 15:17.
- Symbol of Exile and Judgment: In Ezekiel's prophecy, performing an act "in the twilight" symbolizes the shameful and hidden nature of the impending exile. The prince of Israel is to depart "in the twilight," signifying a flight stripped of honor and visibility Ezekiel 12:12.
- Obscured Vision: The state of twilight is explicitly linked to an inability to see. Ezekiel is commanded to cover his face "that thou see not the ground," connecting the physical dimness of H5939 with a symbolic blindness to one's surroundings during judgment Ezekiel 12:6.
In summary, H5939 is not merely a descriptor for a time of day but a potent term reserved for moments of critical spiritual importance. It frames the awesome mystery of God's covenant and the shame of a prophesied exile. Through its rare usage, ʻălâṭâh transforms the physical transition into dusk into a symbol of divine solemnity, judgment, and the obscuring of sight.
TRV