The term "darkens" in the Bible often conveys the idea of obscuring, diminishing, or concealing light, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. It is used to describe physical darkness, spiritual blindness, or the lack of understanding and wisdom. The concept of darkness is frequently contrasted with light, symbolizing the presence of God, truth, and righteousness.

Physical Darkness

In the creation narrative, God separates light from darkness, establishing a fundamental order in the universe: "God called the light 'day,' and the darkness He called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day" (Genesis 1:5). Here, darkness is part of the natural order, serving as a backdrop against which God's creative power is displayed.

Spiritual Darkness

The Bible often uses darkness to symbolize spiritual ignorance or moral evil. In the book of Job, Elihu challenges Job's understanding, saying, "Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge?" (Job 38:2). This rhetorical question highlights how human reasoning can "darken" divine wisdom, leading to misunderstanding and error.

The Apostle Paul speaks of the spiritual condition of those who reject God: "Their minds became darkened" (Romans 1:21). This darkening of the mind is a result of turning away from God's truth, leading to futile thinking and moral decay.

Darkening of the Heart

In Ephesians, Paul warns believers not to live as the Gentiles do, "in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts" (Ephesians 4:17-18). Here, darkening is associated with a willful rejection of God's revelation, resulting in spiritual alienation.

Prophetic Imagery

The prophets often use the imagery of darkening to describe God's judgment. In Isaiah, the day of the Lord is depicted as a time when "the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine" (Isaiah 13:10). This cosmic darkening signifies the severity of divine judgment and the disruption of the created order.

Christ, the Light of the World

In contrast to the darkening effects of sin and judgment, Jesus Christ is presented as the light that dispels darkness. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). This statement underscores the transformative power of Christ's presence, offering spiritual illumination and guidance.

Moral and Ethical Implications

Believers are called to live as children of light, rejecting the deeds of darkness. Paul exhorts the Thessalonians, "You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness" (1 Thessalonians 5:5). This call to live in the light involves embracing truth, righteousness, and holiness, reflecting the character of God in a world often shrouded in spiritual darkness.

In summary, the concept of "darkens" in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for the absence of God's presence and truth, while also highlighting the hope and redemption found in Christ, the true light.2821. chashak -- to be or grow dark
... root Definition to be or grow dark NASB Word Usage blacker (1), brings darkness
(1), dark (3), darkened (5), darkens (2), dim (1), grow dim (2), made it dark (1 ...
/hebrew/2821.htm - 6k

The Veil Over all Nations
... Nor is it 'the veils of flesh and sense,' as we often hear it said, that hide Him.
But it is our sinful moral nature that darkens His face and dulls our eyes. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the veil over all nations.htm

Writing Blotted Out and Mist Melted
... When cloud fills the sky it darkens the earth, and shuts out the sunshine and the
blue, it closes the petals of the little flowers, it hushes the songs of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/writing blotted out and mist.htm

Saints, Sages, and Saviors: the Law of Service
... and search humbly and diligently for the Truth which frees the soul from all error
and sin, from all that blights the human heart, and that darkens, as with ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/allen/the way of peace/saints sages and saviors the.htm

"Ye are the Branches"
... for close communion with Jesus, and that his usual work weakens his inclination
for prayer, and that his too much intercourse with men darkens the spiritual ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/ye are the branches.htm

The Tears of the Penitent.
... been the very breath of devotion for every devout heart, forgets his longings after
righteousness, flings away the joys of Divine communion, darkens his soul ...
/.../maclaren/the life of david/xiii the tears of the penitent.htm

L'envoy
... And yet, three times that miracle of Spring The grand old tree that darkens Exeter
wall Hath decked itself with blossoms as with stars, Since I, like one that ...
/.../burgon/the last twelve verses of the gospel according to s mark /lenvoy.htm

L'envoy
... And yet, three times that miracle of Spring The grand old tree that darkens Exeter
wall Hath decked itself with blossoms as with stars, Since I, like one that ...
/.../burgon/the last twelve verses of the gospel according to s mark/lenvoy.htm

24TH DAY. Eventide Light.
... in spite of ourselves, the wings ofttimes refuse to soar"the spirit droops"guilty
fears depress"sin dims and darkens"God's providences seem to frown ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/24th day eventide light.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... Anger, darkens the mind's eye, [348]490. Angry, in what sense God is said
to be, [349]248, [350]527. Anima, animus, mens, [351]475. ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

The Destroyer Destroyed
... It darkens the windows of the eyes; it pulls down the polished pillars of the divine
architecture of the body; it turns the inhabitant the soul, out of its door ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the destroyer destroyed.htm

Darkens (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Darkens (2 Occurrences). Job 38:2 "Who is this who
darkens counsel by words without knowledge? (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/d/darkens.htm - 6k

Darker (1 Occurrence)

/d/darker.htm - 6k

Darkening (2 Occurrences)

/d/darkening.htm - 7k

Mist (17 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Hence, anything which dims or darkens, and obscures or intercepts
vision. 4. (vt) To cloud; to cover with mist; to dim. ...
/m/mist.htm - 12k

Brighten (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (v.) To improve or relieve by dispelling gloom or removing that which obscures
and darkens; to shed light upon; to make cheerful; as, to brighten one's ...
/b/brighten.htm - 7k

Summary of the Book of Job - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

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