The Hebrew word qadrûwth, represented by H6940, means duskiness or blackness. This term is extremely rare, appearing only 1 time in a single verse in the entire Bible. Its singular use provides a powerful and specific image of darkness as an enveloping force.
The sole appearance of H6940 is in Isaiah, where God declares His absolute power over creation. The verse states, "I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering" Isaiah 50:3. In this context, blackness is not merely an absence of light but a substance that God uses to clothe the sky. It is used in parallel with sackcloth, an emblem of mourning, suggesting the darkness signifies a time of judgment or deep sorrow.
The imagery surrounding H6940 is enriched by the words used alongside it in its only context:
- H3847 lâbash (clothe): A primitive root meaning to wrap around or put on a garment. This action verb shows that the blackness is deliberately applied by God, like a piece of clothing.
- H8064 shâmayim (heaven): This word for the sky is the object being clothed, emphasizing God's authority over the celestial realm Isaiah 50:3.
- H8242 saq (sackcloth): This coarse cloth used for mourning is made into a covering for the heavens, reinforcing the theme of grief or judgment associated with the blackness Isaiah 50:3.
- H3682 kᵉçûwth (covering): Defined as a cover or veiling, this word describes the function of both the blackness and the sackcloth, which is to obscure the heavens from view Isaiah 50:3.
The theological weight of H6940 is derived entirely from its single, dramatic usage.
- Sovereign Divine Power: The word is used to demonstrate God's ultimate authority. He can actively clothe H3847 the heavens H8064 in blackness, altering the very state of the cosmos by His will Isaiah 50:3.
- Symbol of Judgment: By pairing blackness with sackcloth H8242, the text imbues the darkness with symbolic meaning. Sackcloth is consistently linked to mourning, repentance, and judgment, suggesting this is a somber and serious divine act (Jeremiah 6:26, Daniel 9:3).
- Metaphor for Obscurity: The act of covering the heavens in blackness serves as a potent metaphor for God's ability to bring about obscurity, hide His face, or signal a profound and world-altering event.
In summary, H6940 is a highly specific term for blackness or duskiness. Though it appears only once, its placement in Isaiah 50:3 gives it significant impact. It functions as a powerful metaphor for divine judgment and absolute authority, illustrating how God can sovereignly envelop the heavens in darkness and mourning as easily as putting on a garment.
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