1105. gnophos

Lexical Summary

gnophos: Darkness, Gloom

Original Word: γνόφος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: gnophos
Pronunciation: GNO-fos
Phonetic Spelling: (gnof'-os)
KJV: blackness
NASB: darkness
Word Origin: [akin to G3509 (νέφος - cloud)]

1. gloom (as of a storm)
2. stormy gloom

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

blackness.

Akin to nephos; gloom (as of a storm) -- blackness.

see GREEK nephos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from dnophos (darkness)
Definition
darkness, gloom
NASB Translation
darkness (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1105: γνόφος

γνόφος, γνόφου, ὁ (for the earlier (and poetic) δνόφος, akin to νέφος (so Alexander Buttmann (1873) Lexil. 2:266; but see Curtius, pp. 704f, 706, cf. 535; Vanicek, p. 1070)), darkness, gloom: Hebrews 12:18. (Aristotle, de mund. c. 2 at the end, p. 392b, 12; Lucian, de mort. Peregr. 43; Dio Chrysostom; the Sept. also for עָנָן a cloud, Deuteronomy 4:11, etc. and for עֲרָפֶל 'thick cloud,' Exodus 20:21, etc.; (Trench, § c.).)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

The single New Testament use of γνόφος (Strong’s Greek 1105) appears in Hebrews 12:18, where the writer recalls the “gloom” that surrounded Mount Sinai. The term evokes the thick, impenetrable darkness that often accompanies divine self-disclosure or judgment. Through this image, Scripture underscores both the majesty of God and the gravity of approaching Him apart from atonement.

Biblical Occurrence in Hebrews 12:18

“You have not come to a mountain that can be touched, and that was burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm” (Hebrews 12:18). Here the Spirit contrasts the terror of Sinai with the joy of “Mount Zion and to the city of the living God” (Hebrews 12:22). The “gloom” serves as a vivid reminder of the Old Covenant’s distance, highlighting the superiority and accessibility of the New Covenant in Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Foundations of the Motif

1. Sinai Theophany: Exodus 20:21; Deuteronomy 4:11; 5:22 record that Israel “stood at the foot of the mountain while it blazed with fire to the very heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness.” The darkness shielded the people from consuming holiness, teaching reverential fear.
2. Enthronement of Yahweh: Psalm 97:2 declares, “Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” The gloom functions as a veil of glory, not a flaw in God’s character.
3. Davidic Deliverance: Psalm 18:9-11 depicts the Lord descending in thick darkness to rescue His servant, portraying divine intervention shrouded in mystery.
4. Temple Dedication: Solomon affirms, “The LORD has said that He would dwell in thick darkness” (1 Kings 8:12), linking the motif to covenant worship.

Association with Divine Majesty and Revelation

The darkness does not denote evil. Rather, it emphasizes the unapproachable light of God by concealing it. The human eye, weakened by sin, requires such a veil. The concept parallels the curtain of the Most Holy Place; once the curtain is torn by Christ (Matthew 27:51), the way into God’s presence is opened, yet His holiness remains undiminished.

Symbol of Judgment and Doom

Later biblical writers adopt darkness imagery to describe judgment:
• Zephaniah 1:15 calls the day of the LORD “a day of darkness and gloom.”
• 2 Peter 2:17 and Jude 13 reserve “the gloom of darkness” for false teachers.

The lexical echo ties rebellious humanity to the same terror Israel felt at Sinai, apart from grace.

Contrast with the Light of the New Covenant

Hebrews moves from Sinai’s gloom to Zion’s festive assembly. The progression mirrors John 1:5—“The Light shines in the darkness.” Believers pass from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of the beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). The once-threatening gloom now stands as a historical backdrop, magnifying Christ’s mediatorial glory.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Preaching Holiness: Sinai’s darkness warns against trivializing God’s presence. Worship must balance joyful access with reverent awe (Hebrews 12:28-29).
2. Evangelism: Demonstrating the dread of judgment (gloom) heightens appreciation for the gospel’s light.
3. Pastoral Care: Those who fear God’s wrath can be directed from Sinai to Zion, assuring them that “the blood of Jesus…speaks a better word” (Hebrews 12:24).
4. Spiritual Formation: Meditation on passages featuring divine darkness fosters humility, repentance, and deeper gratitude for Christ’s atonement.

Doctrinal Implications

• Revelation: God remains transcendent; revelation accommodates human frailty through veils, symbols, and ultimately the Incarnation.
• Covenant Theology: The physical gloom of Sinai encapsulates the limitations of the Old Covenant, while the unveiled face of Jesus demonstrates New Covenant access (2 Corinthians 3:12-18).
• Eschatology: Final judgment retains darkness imagery (Revelation 16:10), whereas the new creation promises unending light (Revelation 22:5), completing the movement from gloom to glory.

Illustrative References for Further Study

Exodus 19–20; Deuteronomy 4; Psalm 18; Psalm 97; 1 Kings 8:10-13; Isaiah 60:1-2; Zephaniah 1:14-18; Matthew 27:45; Hebrews 12:18-29; 2 Peter 2:17; Jude 13; Revelation 21:23-25.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 1105 encapsulates the awe-filled gloom that surrounds God’s holy presence and impending judgment. While Sinai’s darkness once barred sinful humanity, in Christ believers now “walk in the light.” The theme beckons the church to revere God’s holiness, proclaim His grace, and anticipate the day when “night will be no more.”

Forms and Transliterations

γνόφον γνόφος γνόφου γνοφω γνόφω γνόφῳ γνοφώδεις γνοφώδης εγνόφωσεν gnopho gnophō gnóphoi gnóphōi

Englishman's Concordance

Hebrews 12:18 N-DMS
GRK: πυρὶ καὶ γνόφῳ καὶ ζόφῳ
NAS: fire, and to darkness and gloom
KJV: nor unto blackness, and
INT: with fire and to obscurity and to darkness

Strong's Greek 1105
1 Occurrence

γνόφῳ — 1 Occ.