Lexical Summary chashok: To be dark, to grow dim, to obscure Original Word: חֲשׁוֹךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance darkness (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to chashak; the dark -- darkness. see HEBREW chashak NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to chashak Definition darkness NASB Translation darkness (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [חֲשׁוֺךְ] noun [masculine] darkness; — emphatic חֲשׁוֺכָא Daniel 2:22. Topical Lexicon Word and Context חֲשׁוֹךְ appears a single time in the Hebrew canon, in Daniel 2:22. There Daniel blesses “the God of heaven” who “knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him” (Berean Standard Bible). The term portrays literal and figurative darkness—an environment of impenetrability to human perception, yet transparent to the omniscient God. Historical Setting Daniel 2 recounts the crisis of Nebuchadnezzar’s forgotten dream during the Babylonian exile (sixth century B.C.). Babylon’s wise men confessed their incapacity (Daniel 2:10–11), but Daniel’s God-given revelation exposed the impotence of pagan divination and affirmed divine supremacy. חֲשׁוֹךְ thus becomes the backdrop for a public demonstration that Israel’s God alone “reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:28). Within a culture saturated by astral religion and dream interpretation, the word underscores the decisive difference between human conjecture and God’s unveiled truth. Theological Themes • Divine Omniscience and Mystery Scripture often pairs darkness with secrecy (Job 12:22; Psalm 139:12). Daniel 2:22 teaches that what is inaccessible to human reason remains accessible to God. The single use of חֲשׁוֹךְ intensifies the contrast: knowledge hidden in darkness belongs to God; light characterizes His being. • Light versus Darkness Motif From the primordial separation of darkness and light (Genesis 1:4) to the Johannine proclamation that “the light shines in the darkness” (John 1:5), the Bible employs this polarity to depict revelation over against ignorance and evil. Daniel’s use contributes to the progressive revelation culminating in Jesus Christ, “the light of the world” (John 8:12). • Sovereignty over Kingdoms The dream itself forecasts successive empires toppled by a divine kingdom (Daniel 2:44). God’s authority over “darkness” parallels His sovereignty over history, assuring exiles that hidden purposes are ordered by Him. Related Scriptures Genesis 1:2; Exodus 10:21; Job 12:22; Psalm 18:11; Proverbs 4:19; Isaiah 45:3; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Peter 2:9. Christological Foreshadowing Daniel’s God who dispels חֲשׁוֹךְ prefigures the incarnate Son who “disarmed the powers and authorities” (Colossians 2:15) that operated in darkness. The Old Testament scene anticipates the Gospel revelation where hidden mysteries “now made manifest” (Romans 16:25–26) center in Christ. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Confidence in Prayer. Daniel sought mercy “concerning this mystery” (Daniel 2:18). Believers may likewise seek divine insight into perplexing circumstances, trusting God’s ability to illuminate dark places. Doctrinal Implications • Revelation: God initiates disclosure; human beings receive. Summary חֲשׁוֹךְ in Daniel 2:22 is more than a poetic term; it represents the boundary of human knowledge and the stage upon which God displays His revelatory glory. In a single occurrence it encapsulates a core biblical conviction: the Almighty alone turns darkness into light, directing history and hearts toward His redemptive purposes in Christ. Forms and Transliterations בַחֲשׁוֹכָ֔א בחשוכא ḇa·ḥă·šō·w·ḵā ḇaḥăšōwḵā vachashoChaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:22 HEB: יָדַע֙ מָ֣ה בַחֲשׁוֹכָ֔א [וּנְהִירָא כ] NAS: what is in the darkness, And the light KJV: what [is] in the darkness, and the light INT: knows what the darkness light him 1 Occurrence |
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