3990. maaphel

Lexicon

maaphel: Darkness, gloom

Original Word: מַאֲפֵל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ma'aphel
Pronunciation: mah-ah-FEL
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-af-ale')
Definition: Darkness, gloom
Meaning: something opaque

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

something opaque

From the same as 'aphel; something opaque:

see HEBREW 'aphel

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as ophel
Definition
darkness
NASB Translation
darkness (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מַאֲפֵל noun [masculine] darkness, Joshua 24:7 (E) וַיָּשֶׂם ׳בֵּינֵיכֶם וג ׳מ between Hebrews & Egyptians.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root אָפַל (afal), which means "to be dark" or "to grow dark."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • The Greek equivalent that corresponds to the concept of darkness or obscurity is G3507 (νεφέλη, nephele), which means "cloud" or "darkness." While not a direct translation, it shares thematic elements of obscurity and the covering of light, often used in the New Testament to describe spiritual or eschatological themes.

This lexical entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the Hebrew term מַאֲפֵל (ma'afel), highlighting its significance in biblical literature and its thematic connections to concepts of darkness and divine judgment.

Usage: The word מַאֲפֵל is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe a state of darkness or obscurity, often in a metaphorical sense to depict spiritual or moral darkness.

Context: • מַאֲפֵל (ma'afel) appears in the Hebrew Bible in contexts that emphasize the absence of light, both physically and metaphorically. It is often associated with divine judgment or the absence of God's presence, symbolizing a state of spiritual blindness or moral confusion.
• The term is used in poetic and prophetic literature to evoke a sense of foreboding or impending doom. It serves as a powerful image of the consequences of turning away from divine guidance.
• In the Berean Standard Bible, מַאֲפֵל is translated in contexts that highlight its thematic significance, such as in descriptions of the Day of the Lord or times of divine retribution, where darkness serves as a metaphor for the absence of divine favor or the presence of judgment.

Forms and Transliterations

מַֽאֲפֵ֜ל מאפל ma’ăp̄êl ma·’ă·p̄êl maaFel

Englishman's Concordance

Joshua 24:7
HEB: יְהוָ֗ה וַיָּ֨שֶׂם מַֽאֲפֵ֜ל בֵּינֵיכֶ֣ם ׀ וּבֵ֣ין
NAS: He put darkness between
KJV: he put darkness between you and the Egyptians,
INT: the LORD put darkness between between

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 3990
1 Occurrence

ma·’ă·p̄êl — 1 Occ.