### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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.
### Related Words & Concepts
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]].
### Theological Significance
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.
### Summary
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.
TRV