2217. zophos

Lexicon

zophos: Darkness, Gloom

Original Word: ζόφος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: zophos
Pronunciation: ZO-fos
Phonetic Spelling: (dzof'-os)
Definition: Darkness, Gloom
Meaning: darkness, murkiness, gloom.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

blackness, darkness, mist.

Akin to the base of nephos; gloom (as shrouding like a cloud) -- blackness, darkness, mist.

see GREEK nephos

HELPS Word-studies

2217 zóphos – murky, appalling gloom, referring to darkness so dense and foreboding it is "felt"; (figuratively) apocalyptic, gloomy darkness associated with the nether world (BAGD) bringing its indescribable despair (incredible gloom).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
akin to gnophos
Definition
deep gloom
NASB Translation
black (2), darkness (2), gloom (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2217: ζόφος

ζόφος, ζόφου, ὁ (akin to γνόφος, δνόφος, νέφος, κνέφας, see Alexander Buttmann (1873) Lexil. ii., p. 266 (Fishlake's translation, p. 378); cf. Curtius, p. 706), darkness, blackness: Hebrews 12:18 L T Tr WH; as in Homer Iliad 15, 191; 21, 56, etc., used of the darkness of the nether world (cf. Grimm on Wis. 17:14), 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6; ζόφος τοῦ σκότους (cf. חֹשֶׁך־אֲפֵלָה, Exodus 10:22), the blackness of (i. e. the densest) darkness, 2 Peter 2:17; Jude 1:13. (Cf. Trench, § c.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from a root word meaning "to cover" or "to envelop."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of darkness in the Hebrew Bible is often conveyed by words such as חֹשֶׁךְ (choshek, Strong's Hebrew 2822), which similarly denotes darkness or obscurity. This Hebrew term is used in contexts that parallel the New Testament's use of ζόφος, such as in descriptions of the primordial darkness before creation (Genesis 1:2) and the darkness that symbolizes divine judgment (Exodus 10:21-22).

Usage: In the New Testament, ζόφος is used to depict a state of deep darkness, often associated with judgment or the absence of divine light. It is used in contexts that convey a sense of foreboding or spiritual desolation.

Context: The Greek word ζόφος appears in several key New Testament passages, each highlighting its thematic significance of darkness and judgment. In 2 Peter 2:4, the term is used to describe the "gloomy dungeons" where fallen angels are held, emphasizing the severity of their punishment: "For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment." Similarly, in 2 Peter 2:17, false teachers are compared to "mists driven by a storm, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved." This usage underscores the ultimate fate awaiting those who lead others astray.

In Jude 1:6, ζόφος is again associated with the judgment of angels: "And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling, He keeps under darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on that great day." Jude 1:13 further describes the fate of false teachers as "wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever."

The consistent use of ζόφος in these passages highlights a theological theme of divine retribution and the stark contrast between the light of God's presence and the darkness of separation from Him. The term serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual and moral consequences of turning away from divine truth.

Forms and Transliterations

ζοφον ζόφον ζοφος ζόφος ζοφου ζόφου ζοφω ζόφῳ zopho zophō zóphoi zóphōi zophon zóphon zophos zóphos zophou zóphou

Englishman's Concordance

Hebrews 12:18 N-DMS
GRK: γνόφῳ καὶ ζόφῳ καὶ θυέλλῃ
NAS: and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,
INT: to obscurity and to darkness and to storm

2 Peter 2:4 N-GMS
GRK: ἀλλὰ σειραῖς ζόφου ταρταρώσας παρέδωκεν
NAS: them to pits of darkness, reserved
KJV: [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved
INT: but to chains of darkness having cast [them] to the deepest abyss delivered [them]

2 Peter 2:17 N-NMS
GRK: οἷς ὁ ζόφος τοῦ σκότους
NAS: for whom the black darkness
KJV: to whom the mist of darkness
INT: to whom the gloom of darkness

Jude 1:6 N-AMS
GRK: ἀϊδίοις ὑπὸ ζόφον τετήρηκεν
NAS: under darkness for the judgment
KJV: under darkness unto
INT: eternal under darkness he keeps

Jude 1:13 N-NMS
GRK: οἷς ὁ ζόφος τοῦ σκότους
NAS: for whom the black darkness
KJV: is reserved the blackness of darkness
INT: to whom the gloom of darkness

Strong's Greek 2217
5 Occurrences

ζόφῳ — 1 Occ.
ζόφον — 1 Occ.
ζόφος — 2 Occ.
ζόφου — 1 Occ.