### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The word qadrûwth (`{{H6940}}`) is a noun derived from the verb qādar (`{{H6937}}`), which fundamentally means "to be dark," "to be black," "to mourn," or "to be gloomy." Consequently, qadrûwth denotes the state or quality of "duskiness," "blackness," or "gloom." It refers to a profound and intense darkness, often implying an oppressive or unnatural obscurity rather than merely the absence of light. Its semantic range primarily focuses on physical darkness, though the root's broader usage hints at a connection to states of distress or mourning.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term qadrûwth (`{{H6940}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Isaiah.
* **[[Isaiah 50:3]]**: "I clothe the heavens with blackness (קַדְרוּת), and I make sackcloth their covering."
* In this powerful prophetic declaration, the Lord speaks through Isaiah, asserting His absolute sovereignty and might. The imagery of clothing the heavens with "blackness" signifies a dramatic and awe-inspiring act of divine power, capable of altering the very fabric of the cosmos. This is not the natural darkness of night, but a profound, imposed obscurity that reflects divine judgment, a display of overwhelming authority, or a sign of impending cosmic upheaval. The parallelism with "sackcloth" further intensifies the meaning, as sackcloth is universally recognized as a symbol of mourning, distress, and repentance. Thus, the heavens are depicted as undergoing a cosmic lamentation or being shrouded in a sign of divine displeasure.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Qādar (`{{H6937}}`):** The verbal root from which qadrûwth is derived. Qādar is used more broadly to describe darkening, whether of the heavens ([[Joel 2:10]], [[Joel 3:15]]) or of people's countenances due to mourning or distress ([[Jeremiah 8:21]], [[Malachi 3:14]]). Qadrûwth represents the noun form, emphasizing the *state* of this profound darkness.
* **Ḥōšek (`{{H2822}}`):** The most common Hebrew word for "darkness." While ḥōšek can refer to general darkness (e.g., at creation, [[Genesis 1:2]]), qadrûwth implies a more specific, often intense and oppressive, blackness, frequently associated with divine action or judgment.
* **‘Ārāphel (`{{H6205}}`):** Meaning "thick darkness" or "dense cloud," often used in contexts of God's manifestation (e.g., at Sinai, [[Exodus 20:21]]) or judgment ([[Deuteronomy 4:11]]). Qadrûwth shares this connotation of profound, often divinely orchestrated, obscurity.
* **Sackcloth (שַׂק - saq `{{H8242}}`):** The direct parallel in [[Isaiah 50:3]]. Sackcloth is a material worn during times of grief, mourning, repentance, or distress. Its pairing with qadrûwth for the heavens suggests that the "blackness" is not merely physical but carries symbolic weight, indicating cosmic sorrow or a divine pronouncement of judgment.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of qadrûwth in [[Isaiah 50:3]] carries substantial theological weight. It serves as a potent affirmation of God's absolute sovereignty over creation. The ability to "clothe the heavens with blackness" is a definitive demonstration of divine power, far surpassing any human or natural capacity. This imagery is deeply embedded in prophetic literature as a sign of the "Day of the Lord," a time of divine intervention, judgment, and cosmic upheaval (cf. [[Joel 2:31]]). The turning of light into profound darkness signifies a disruption of the natural order, a powerful visual metaphor for God's direct and often punitive engagement with humanity. Theologically, qadrûwth underscores the Creator's ultimate control, signifying that He can bring about both light and an intense, awe-inspiring darkness according to His divine purpose and will. It speaks to the majesty and fearsome nature of God, before whom even the heavens must don the garb of mourning or judgment.
### Summary
Qadrûwth (`{{H6940}}`) is a rare but highly evocative Hebrew term meaning "duskiness" or "blackness," stemming from the root qādar (`{{H6937}}`). Its sole appearance in [[Isaiah 50:3]] powerfully illustrates God's supreme authority, depicting Him as capable of "clothing the heavens with blackness" and making sackcloth their covering. This imagery conveys a profound, often divinely imposed, darkness that symbolizes judgment, cosmic disruption, or an overwhelming display of divine power. The word's intrinsic connection to mourning (via its root) and its direct parallelism with sackcloth amplify its theological significance, portraying a state of cosmic lamentation or a stark manifestation of divine displeasure. Qadrûwth thus stands as a vivid testament to God's absolute dominion over the created order, emphasizing His ability to orchestrate both light and an intense, purposeful darkness.
TRV