1105. gnophos

Lexicon

gnophos: Darkness, Gloom

Original Word: γνόφος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: gnophos
Pronunciation: GNO-fos
Phonetic Spelling: (gnof'-os)
Definition: Darkness, Gloom
Meaning: darkness, gloom; a thick cloud.

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

Word Origin: Derived from a primary verb γνέφω (gnéphō), meaning "to darken" or "to obscure."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Hebrew 6205: עֲרָפֶל (ʿărāpel) • Often translated as "thick darkness" or "gloom," used in contexts similar to γνόφος, such as in Exodus 20:21.
• Strong's Hebrew 2822: חֹשֶׁךְ (ḥōshek) • Meaning "darkness," used in various contexts, including the creation narrative and descriptions of divine judgment.

These entries highlight the consistent biblical theme of darkness as both a literal and metaphorical representation of God's awe-inspiring presence and the limits of human perception.

Usage: The term γνόφος is used in the New Testament to describe a tangible, oppressive darkness, often associated with divine presence or judgment. It conveys a sense of awe and fear, highlighting the majesty and power of God.

Context: The Greek word γνόφος appears in the New Testament to depict a scene of profound darkness, typically in the context of divine revelation or judgment. This term is notably used in Hebrews 12:18, where it describes the terrifying and awe-inspiring scene at Mount Sinai during the giving of the Law: "For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm." Here, γνόφος is translated as "gloom," emphasizing the overwhelming and fearsome nature of God's presence.

The use of γνόφος in the New Testament echoes the Old Testament imagery of God's presence being accompanied by thick darkness, as seen in Exodus 20:21, where Moses approaches the thick darkness where God was. This darkness signifies both the mystery and the unapproachable holiness of God, serving as a barrier between the divine and the human.

In a broader theological context, γνόφος can be understood as a symbol of the divine majesty that is beyond human comprehension, a reminder of the limits of human understanding when faced with the infinite nature of God. It serves as a call to reverence and humility before the Almighty.

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.