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 qadrûwth 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 theological weight of qadrûwth 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 heavens 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, qadrûwth 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.
