Lexical Summary maaphel: Darkness, gloom Original Word: מַאֲפֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance something opaque From the same as 'aphel; something opaque: see HEBREW 'aphel NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom 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 Overview מַאֲפֵל (Strong’s Hebrew 3990) denotes a sudden, impenetrable darkness—a thick, divinely sent gloom that neither lantern nor moon can penetrate. It is not the ordinary alternation of night but a supernatural obscurity that intrudes into history at decisive moments of judgment and salvation. Historical Occurrence in Joshua 24:7 Joshua, in his farewell covenant address, recalls the exodus: “So they cried out to the LORD, and He put darkness between you and the Egyptians” (Joshua 24:7). The darkness functioned as an invisible wall. While Israel moved forward in dawning freedom, Egypt was blinded and immobilized. What the plagues in Exodus achieved incrementally, this single intervening gloom accomplished instantaneously—divine rescue through disorientation of the oppressor. Old Testament Background of Divine Darkness Although מַאֲפֵל itself appears only in Joshua 24:7, Scripture repeatedly employs parallel images: In each setting, darkness is not merely absence of light but a tangible instrument of God’s sovereignty—shielding, judging, or revealing. Theological Significance: Darkness as Judgment and Deliverance 1. Judgment: The sudden gloom confounds the enemies of God’s people (Psalm 105:28). It signals divine displeasure and renders human power futile. Connection to the Presence of God The pillar-cloud motif ties מַאֲפֵל to theophany. Darkness veils glory too intense for fallen sight, yet simultaneously guides (Nehemiah 9:12). Thus, divine darkness is not aloofness but mediated presence—concealed in order to be near without consuming. Foreshadowing and Christological Horizons Calvary records “darkness over all the land” (Matthew 27:45), echoing the Exodus pattern: judgment on sin, deliverance for the redeemed, and revelation of the New Covenant in Christ’s blood. The eschaton will invert the theme; “night will be no more” (Revelation 22:5), as the Lamb’s glory dispels every shadow. מַאֲפֵל anticipates both the cross and the consummation—temporary gloom giving way to eternal light. Practical and Pastoral Applications • Assurance in Trial: Seasons of spiritual obscurity may be providential barriers, shielding believers from unseen dangers while God works toward deliverance. Summary מַאֲפֵל encapsulates the mystery of a God who both conceals and reveals, judges and saves. In a single Old Testament occurrence it preserves the memory of night-bound Egypt and dawn-bound Israel, pointing forward to the ultimate deliverance accomplished at the cross and completed in the age to come. Forms and Transliterations מַֽאֲפֵ֜ל מאפל ma’ăp̄êl ma·’ă·p̄êl maaFelLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 |
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