Lexical Summary ephah: darkness, utter gloom Original Word: עֵיפָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance darkness Feminine from uwph; obscurity (as if from covering) -- darkness. see HEBREW uwph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom uph Definition darkness NASB Translation darkness (1), utter gloom (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. עֵיפָה noun feminine darkness; — עשֵֹׁה שַׁחַר עֵיפָה Amos 4:13; אֶרֶץ עֵפָ֫תָה Job 10:22 (Ges§ 90g; "" צַלְמָוֶת). Topical Lexicon Overview The noun עֵיפָה depicts a condition of intense gloom, deep shadow, or thick darkness. In its two Old Testament appearances it functions poetically to heighten a sense of dread, helplessness, and the absence of discernible light. The term belongs to a cluster of Hebrew words (such as חֹשֶׁךְ and צַלְמָוֶת) that describe darkness, but עֵיפָה is particularly suited to convey a smothering, almost tangible obscurity. Occurrences in Scripture • Job 10:22 – Job anticipates descending “to the land of deepest gloom”, a realm where order is inverted, and “even the light is like darkness.” Imagery of Gloom and Deep Shadow 1. Spatial: In Job the word evokes the netherworld beyond the grave—an existence cut off from the Creator’s manifest light. Theological Themes • Divine Sovereignty. Amos 4:13 uses עֵיפָה to magnify God’s unrivaled authority over creation; He ordains both dawn and darkness. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near Eastern literature often associated profound darkness with the underworld and with manifestations of divine displeasure. The Hebrew poets absorb this backdrop yet place Israel’s covenant God at the center: the LORD determines when and where such darkness falls, thereby refuting any notion of impersonal cosmic forces. Connections to the Broader Canon The concept behind עֵיפָה echoes: Ultimately, Revelation 22:5 promises that “night will be no more,” closing the biblical arc from imposed gloom to everlasting light. Ministry and Pastoral Applications 1. Counseling the Afflicted. Job’s use of עֵיפָה legitimizes expressions of anguish while steering sufferers toward the only source of light. Points for Further Study and Teaching • Compare עֵיפָה with צַלְמָוֶת (“deep darkness”) in Psalm 23:4 and evaluate nuances. By attending to its limited but potent occurrences, עֵיפָה invites believers to contemplate both the horror of life apart from God and the radiant security found in His saving light. Forms and Transliterations עֵיפָ֔ה עֵיפָ֨תָה ׀ עיפה עיפתה ‘ê·p̄ā·ṯāh ‘ê·p̄āh ‘êp̄āh ‘êp̄āṯāh eiFah eiFatahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 10:22 HEB: אֶ֤רֶץ עֵיפָ֨תָה ׀ כְּמ֥וֹ אֹ֗פֶל NAS: The land of utter gloom as darkness KJV: A land of darkness, as darkness INT: the land of utter as darkness Amos 4:13 2 Occurrences |
    |