Lexical Summary araphel: Thick darkness, gloom Original Word: עֲרָפֶל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gross, thick dark cloud, Probably from araph; gloom (as of a lowering sky) -- (gross, thick) dark (cloud, -ness). see HEBREW araph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom araph Definition cloud, heavy cloud NASB Translation deep darkness (1), gloom (1), gloomy (1), thick cloud (3), thick darkness (7), thick gloom (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲרָפֶל noun masculine cloud, heavy cloud (perhaps from above √ + ל afformative; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Syriac  ; ᵑ7 עֲרָפֵילָא; Mandean ארפילא NöM 126, 128; on vocaliz. see BaNB 160 and against him SchwZAW x (1890), 178 who proposes עַרְמֶּל); — ׳ע in which God dwells Exodus 20:18 (Gi; van d. H. Exodus 20:21), 1 Kings 8:12 2Chronicles 6:1; + עָנָן Deuteronomy 4:11 (also חשֶׁח), Deuteronomy 5:19; Psalm 97:2; Job 22:13 see בַּעַד; תַּחַת רַגְלָיו ׳ע 2 Samuel 22:10 = Psalm 18:10; as swaddling-bands of sea Job 38:9; figurative of misery Isaiah 60:2 ("" חשֶׁח); of ׳יs judgment Jeremiah 13:16 ("" צַלְמָוֶת), as a past day ׳יוֺם עָנָן וַע Ezekiel 34:12 = (of future day of ׳י) Zephaniah 1:15 ("" יוֺם חשֶׁח וַאֲפֵלָה) = Joel 2:2 ("" id.). Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Imagery עֲרָפֶל consistently portrays a palpable, almost tangible obscurity—“thick darkness,” “deep gloom,” “dense cloud.” Whether positioned beside nouns such as “cloud,” “fire,” or “day,” the term paints a scene in which visibility is drastically limited, awakening awe, reverence, or dread. The imagery is neither neutral nor merely meteorological; it is charged with theological meaning, signaling either the majestic hiddenness of God or the foreboding of divine judgment. Association with Divine Presence 1. Sinai Theophany: At Sinai the “thick darkness” enfolds the mountain where the LORD descends (Exodus 20:21; Deuteronomy 4:11; 5:22). The same darkness that conceals the Holy One simultaneously safeguards the people from consuming holiness. 2. Temple Dedication: Solomon alludes to Sinai when he declares, “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.” (1 Kings 8:12; 2 Chronicles 6:1). The message is clear: the Jerusalem sanctuary, like Sinai, becomes the meeting point of transcendent glory and human approach—yet still veiled. 3. Enthronement Psalms: Davidic praise celebrates the same motif: “Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His foundation.” (Psalm 97:2). The darkness is not moral; it is protective majesty that both shields and announces the King. Manifestations in Redemptive History • Exodus-Sinai: Thick darkness signals covenant initiation, underscoring the holiness that frames the Decalogue. Prophetic and Poetic Overtones Job’s dialogues wrestle with the apparent remoteness of God: “Does He judge through thick darkness?” (Job 22:13). YHWH’s answer in Job 38:9 re-frames the question—God Himself fashioned that very darkness as a “blanket,” asserting sovereignty even over the concealment. David’s battle hymn (2 Samuel 22:10; Psalm 18:9) pictures YHWH swooping from heaven, feet upon dark clouds, converting concealment into swift deliverance. Theology of Revelation and Concealment עֲרָפֶל guards the paradox that God is both hidden and revealed. He hides to protect and to provoke faith; He reveals to redeem and to covenant. The motif prevents any trivializing familiarity with the Holy One, fostering humble expectancy: God may emerge from the gloom at any moment with rescue or reproof. Personal and Pastoral Applications • Worship: The term encourages reverent liturgy that balances intimacy with transcendence. Summary Throughout Scripture, עֲרָפֶל functions as a sacred veil—sometimes ominous, always purposeful—signaling that the God who dwells in unapproachable light is willing to approach His people, yet never on trivial terms. Forms and Transliterations בָּעֲרָפֶֽל׃ בערפל׃ הָֽעֲרָפֶ֔ל הערפל וְהָֽעֲרָפֶ֔ל וַ֝עֲרָפֶ֗ל וַעֲרָפֶ֔ל וַעֲרָפֶ֖ל וַעֲרָפֶ֣ל וַעֲרָפֶֽל׃ והערפל וערפל וערפל׃ לַעֲרָפֶֽל׃ לערפל׃ עֲרָפֶ֣ל ערפל ‘ă·rā·p̄el ‘ărāp̄el araFel bā‘ărāp̄el bā·‘ă·rā·p̄el baaraFel hā‘ărāp̄el hā·‘ă·rā·p̄el haaraFel la‘ărāp̄el la·‘ă·rā·p̄el laaraFel vaaraFel vehaaraFel wa‘ărāp̄el wa·‘ă·rā·p̄el wə·hā·‘ă·rā·p̄el wəhā‘ărāp̄elLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 20:21 HEB: נִגַּ֣שׁ אֶל־ הָֽעֲרָפֶ֔ל אֲשֶׁר־ שָׁ֖ם NAS: approached the thick cloud where KJV: drew near unto the thick darkness where God INT: approached about the thick after in it Deuteronomy 4:11 Deuteronomy 5:22 2 Samuel 22:10 1 Kings 8:12 2 Chronicles 6:1 Job 22:13 Job 38:9 Psalm 18:9 Psalm 97:2 Isaiah 60:2 Jeremiah 13:16 Ezekiel 34:12 Joel 2:2 Zephaniah 1:15 15 Occurrences |
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