Darkness
Summary
The absence of light, used both literally for physical phenomena and figuratively throughout Scripture to represent ignorance, sin, divine judgment, and the realm of evil.
☩Physical Darkness
Darkness covered the face of the deep before God spoke light into existence. Scripture records several instances of supernatural darkness: the ninth plague upon Egypt, when thick darkness covered the land for three days while Israel had light in their dwellings; the darkness and thick cloud at Mount Sinai; and the three hours of darkness during Christ's crucifixion. These manifestations of darkness accompanied moments of divine judgment or revelation.
☩Symbol of Judgment
The prophets frequently used darkness as an image of divine judgment and the Day of the Lord. Joel describes that day as 'a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness.' Jesus spoke of those cast into 'outer darkness' where there is 'weeping and gnashing of teeth.' The 'power of darkness' refers to the domain of Satan and evil spirits that oppose God's kingdom.
☩Spiritual Darkness
Darkness represents the spiritual condition of those who reject God's truth. John declares that light has come into the world, 'but men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.' Believers are called out of darkness into God's marvelous light, translated from the power of darkness into the kingdom of His Son. Those who walk in darkness do not know where they are going, while those who follow Christ have the light of life.
☩God and Darkness
Paradoxically, while God is light with no darkness at all, He is also described as dwelling in thick darkness and making darkness His pavilion. This apparent contradiction reflects the transcendent mystery of God's presence—He is hidden from sinful humanity, yet His darkness is not absence but overwhelming glory that mortal eyes cannot behold. To God, even darkness is not dark; night shines as day before Him.
Related Verses157 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Darkness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Darkness," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.George Morrish, "Darkness," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Darkness," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).