The meaning of “חֹשֶׁךְ”
Understanding chôshek reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
dark(-ness), night, obscurity. - the dark - hence (literally) darkness - figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignor...
חֹשֶׁךְ
dark(-ness), night, obscurity. - the dark - hence (literally) darkness - figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness 1) darkness, obscurity 1a) darkness 1b) secret place
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 1:5 | “And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.” Word: חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek) | |
| Joshua 2:5 | “And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.” Word: חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek) | |
| Job 18:18 | “He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.” Word: חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek) | |
| Ecclesiastes 5:17 | “All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.” Word: חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek) | |
| Ezekiel 32:8 | “All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord God.” Word: חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Darkness
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Darkness, obscurity
The Hebrew choshek (חֹשֶׁךְ) means darkness—absence of light and symbol of evil, ignorance, and judgment. 'Darkness was upon the face of the deep' (Genesis 1:2) until God spoke light into existence.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Darkness
The Greek skotos (σκότος) denotes darkness—spiritual blindness and the realm of Satan. 'The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not' (John 1:5). Believers are delivered from 'the power of darkness' (Colossians 1:13).