It is against this background that the emphasis on darkness in the crucifixion scene may be understood. "Outer darkness" refers to the darkness of the streets in the East, which are never lighted up by any public or private lamps after nightfall, in contrast with the blaze of cheerful light in the house. Job 10:21-22 ), darkness at the crucifixion scene displays God's displeasure on humankind for crucifying his son. This symbolic usage is natural, for wrongdoers prefer darkness to light. is spoken of as encompassing the actual presence of God, as that out of which he speaks, --the envelope, as it were, of divine glory. They can’t understand the gospel or biblical things. The plague (the ninth) of darkness in Egypt ( Exodus 10:21 ) is described as darkness "which may be felt." ( John 1:5 ; 3:19 ). 30:18 ). Disclaimer: I am giving content taken from various resources like books.. , all images are designed (modified) by me. The biblical view of darkness and light offers a unique contrast. Second, God rules over the darkness because he created it ( Isa 45:7 ; cf. Encyclopedias - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Dark; Darkness, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. hasak [ J;v'j ]) and New Testament (Gk. All rights reserved. (a) of moral depravity and its punishment. Exodus 10:21,22, and at the death of Christ (Matthew 27:45). "Light and Darkness"; F. G. Carver, Wesleyan Theological Journal 23 (1986): 7-32; H. Conzelmann, TDNT, 7:423-45; D. Guthrie, New Testament Theology: H.-C. Hahn, NIDNTT, 1:420-25; G. E. Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament; G. F. Shirbroun, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, s.v. First, God knows the darkness. 23). "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". An intervention by God in human affairs may be accompanied by unnatural darkness (Deut 4:11; Matt 27:45-46). Bibliography. Darkness ( Isaiah 13:9 Isaiah 13:10 ; Matthew 24:29 ) also is a symbol of the judgments that attend on the coming of the Lord. The wicked walk and work in darkness (Psalms 82:5; Proverbs 2:13; John 3:19; Romans 13:12), and their reward is to "sit in darkness" (Psalms 107:10) or to be "cast forth into the outer darkness" (Matthew 8:12); (b) of things mysterious or inexplicable (1 Kings 8:12; Psalms 97:2); (c) of trouble and affliction (2 Samuel 22:29; Job 5:14; Proverbs 20:20; Isaiah 9:2; compare Genesis 15:12); (d) of punishment (Lamentations 3:2; Ezekiel 32:8; Zechariah 1:15); (e) of death (1 Samuel 2:9; Job 10:21; Ecclesiastes 11:8); (f) of nothingness (Job 3:4-6); (g) of human ignorance (Job 19:8; 1 John 2:11). General Editor. See PLAGUE; ECLIPSE. Its most common figurative usage is as a symbol for evil. 5. shineth in darkness, &c.—in this dark, fallen world, or in mankind "sitting in darkness and the shadow of death," with no ability to find the way either of truth or of holiness. God Rules the Darkness. From sunset until the darkness of night is less than an hour. The time of God's ultimate judgment, the day of the Lord, is portrayed in both the Old Testament and New Testament as a day of darkness ( Joel 2:2 ; Amos 5:18 Amos 5:20 ; Zeph 1:15 ; Matt 24:29 ; Rev 6:12-17 ). Miraculous occurrence of darkness in the land of Egypt for three days is recorded in hasak [J;v'j]) and New Testament (Gk.skotos [skovto"]) is an evocative word. See PLAGUE; ECLIPSE. The "day of darkness" in Joel 2:2 , caused by clouds of locusts, is a symbol of the obscurity which overhangs all divine proceedings. While darkness often accompanies the conception of death in Scripture (cf. It is used as a symbol. In the Bible the main use of darkness is in contrast to light. skotos [ skovto" ]) is an evocative word. Salvation brings light to those in darkness ( Isa 9:2 ). We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. "Works of darkness" are impure actions ( Ephesians 5:11 ). If light symbolizes God, darkness connotes everything that is anti-God: the wicked ( Prov 2:13-14 ; 1 Thess 5:4-7 ), judgment ( Exod 10:21 ; Matt 25:30 ), and death ( Psalm 88:12 ).