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Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

DARKNESS

Absence of light or brightness. Although the Bible seldom refers to literal darkness, a number of words translated “darkness” are used in a figurative or metaphorical sense.

When God created the world, there was no light until he commanded that light appear. He then made distinction between light and its opposite, darkness, which he called night (Gn 1:2, 4-5, 18 (RV GEN 1:2 · RV GEN 1:4–5 · RV GEN 1:18 · LV GEN 1:2 · LV GEN 1:4–5 · LV GEN 1:18 · Read together GEN 1:2 · Read together GEN 1:4–5 · Read together GEN 1:18)). Literal darkness is also mentioned in the account of the plagues God inflicted on Egypt; the ninth plague was an intense darkness that could be “felt” (Ex 10:21-23 (RV · LV · Read together)). That darkness lasted three days and was selective; wherever Egyptians were, it was dark, but where the Israelites were, there was light. The Israelites left Egypt accompanied by a cloud that separated them from their enemy, evidently giving light to the Israelites but making darkness for the Egyptians (Ex 14:20 (RV · LV · Read together)). The Bible notes that thieves or adulterers are likely to do their evil deeds in the dark or at night (Jb 24:16-17 (RV · LV · Read together)).

GEN 1:2; GEN 1:4–5; GEN 1:18: RV GEN 1:2 · RV GEN 1:4–5 · RV GEN 1:18 · LV GEN 1:2 · LV GEN 1:4–5 · LV GEN 1:18 · Read together GEN 1:2 · Read together GEN 1:4–5 · Read together GEN 1:18

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OET-RV GEN 1:2

2 The earth was formless and empty and darkness covered the surface of the deep waters and God’s spirit was hovering over the waters’ surface.

OET-RV GEN 1:4

4 and God observed that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.

OET-RV GEN 1:5

5 God named the light daytime, and the darkness he named nighttime. Then evening came, and later morning came, and that was the end of the first day.

OET-RV GEN 1:18

18 and to oversee the daytime and the nighttime, and to distinguish between the light and the darkness. And God saw that what he had done was good.

OET-LV GEN 1:2

2 And_the_earth it _was formlessness and_emptiness and_darkness was_over the _surface _of the _deep and_spirit god was_hovering over the _surface _of the_waters.

OET-LV GEN 1:4

4 And_ god _he/it _saw DOM the_light if/because _that it_was_good and_ god _he/it _separated between the_light and_between the_darkness.

OET-LV GEN 1:5

5 And_ god _he/it _called to _the_light day and_to _the_darkness he _called night and_he/it _was evening and_he/it _was morning day one.

OET-LV GEN 1:18

18 And_to_rule in _the_day and_in _the_night and_to_separate between the_light and_between the_darkness and_ god _he/it _saw if/because _that it_was_good.

EXO 10:21–23: RV EXO 10:21–23 · LV EXO 10:21–23 · Read together EXO 10:21–23

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OET-RV EXO 10:21

21 Then Yahweh told Mosheh (Moses), “Raise your hand up toward the sky and let it become dark over all Mitsrayim (Egypt)—darkness that can be felt.”

OET-RV EXO 10:22

22 So Mosheh stretched his hand out towards the sky, and a thick darkness was in all Mitsrayim for three days.

OET-RV EXO 10:23

23 No one could see anyone else, and for three days no one was able to go anywhere, yet there was light in the region where the Israelis lived.

OET-LV EXO 10:21

21 And_ YHWH _he/it _said to Mosheh stretch _out hand _of_your to the_heavens and_ darkness _let _it _be over the _land _of Miʦrayim/(Egypt) and_so _that _everyone _may _feel darkness.

OET-LV EXO 10:22

22 And_ Mosheh _he _stretched _out DOM his/its_hand to the_heavens and_he/it _was darkness _of gloom in_all the _land _of Miʦrayim three _of days.

OET-LV EXO 10:23

23 Not they _saw each DOM his/its_brother and_not they _rose anyone from_under_him three _of days and_to/for_all the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) it _belonged light in_their _dwelling _of_places.

EXO 14:20: RV EXO 14:20 · LV EXO 14:20 · Read together EXO 14:20

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OET-RV EXO 14:20

20 and so it was then between the coming Mitsrim and the Israelis. Then the cloud became darkness on the Mitsri (Egyptian) side, yet it lit up the other side, and no one could approach it all night.

OET-LV EXO 14:20

20 And_it _went between the _camp _of Miʦrayim and_between the _camp _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) and_he/it _was the_cloud and_the_darkness and_it _lit _up DOM the_night and_not this it _drew _near to this all _of the_night.

JOB 24:16–17: RV JOB 24:16–17 · LV JOB 24:16–17 · Read together JOB 24:16–17

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OET-RV JOB 24:16

16 They dig into people’s houses in the dark,
⇔ but they stay hidden away during the day—
⇔ they don’t know what daylight is.

OET-RV JOB 24:17

17 To them, morning is like deep darkness.
⇔ They’re familiar with the terrors of deep darkness.

OET-LV JOB 24:16

16 He _digs _into in_darkness houses by _day they _seal _up for_themselves not they _know light.

OET-LV JOB 24:17

17 If/because together is_morning for_them deep _darkness if/because he _is _acquainted _with the_sudden _terror(s)_of deep _darkness.

In the NT “darkness” is used twice in its literal sense. At the crucifixion of Jesus, for a three-hour period from noon to three o’clock, there was not light (Mt 27:45 (RV · LV · Read together); Mk 15:33 (RV · LV · Read together); Lk 23:44 (RV · LV · Read together)). The other reference is to Christ’s second coming, when “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light” (Mt 24:29 (RV · LV · Read together), rsv).

MAT 27:45: RV MAT 27:45 · LV MAT 27:45 · Read together MAT 27:45

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OET-RV MAT 27:45

45 Around noon, the whole country became dark for three hours

OET-LV MAT 27:45

45 And from the_sixth hour, darkness became over all the land until the_ ninth _hour.

MRK 15:33: RV MRK 15:33 · LV MRK 15:33 · Read together MRK 15:33

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OET-RV MRK 15:33

33 At noon, it got dark everywhere, until around 3pm,

OET-LV MRK 15:33

33 And having _become the_ sixth _hour, darkness became over all the land, until the_ ninth _hour.

LUK 23:44: RV LUK 23:44 · LV LUK 23:44 · Read together LUK 23:44

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OET-RV LUK 23:44

44 By then it was around midday but it went dark until around 3pm—

OET-LV LUK 23:44

44 And it _was now about the_ sixth _hour, and darkness became over all the land until the_ ninth _hour.

MAT 24:29: RV MAT 24:29 · LV MAT 24:29 · Read together MAT 24:29

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OET-RV MAT 24:29

29 “But immediately after that troubling time, the sun will go dark and the moon won’t shine. The stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly powers will be shaken.

OET-LV MAT 24:29

29 But immediately after the tribulation of_ the those _days:
the sun will _be _being _darkened and the moon ˓will˒_ not _be _giving the radiance of _it:
and the stars will _be _falling from the sky, and the powers of _the heavens will _be _being _shaken.

Several biblical passages speak of a darkness surrounding God, evidently moving from a literal sense of absence of light to a more profound meaning. God spoke to Moses on Mt Sinai in a dense, black cloud (Ex 20:21 (RV · LV · Read together); Dt 4:11 (RV · LV · Read together)) or from the darkness (Dt 5:23 (RV · LV · Read together)). Darkness is pictured as a shelter or cloak around God (2 Sm 22:12 (RV · LV · Read together); Pss 18:11 (RV · LV PSA 18:12 · Read together); 97:2 (RV · LV · Read together)). God sets a boundary for light and darkness (Jb 26:10 (RV · LV · Read together)), brings darkness (Pss 104:20 (RV · LV · Read together); 105:28 (RV · LV · Read together)), and creates light and darkness (Is 45:7 (RV · LV · Read together)). God dwells in thick darkness (1 Kgs 8:12 (RV · LV · Read together); 2 Chr 6:1 (RV · LV · Read together)), and thick darkness is under his feet (2 Sm 22:10 (RV · LV · Read together); Ps 18:9 (RV · LV PSA 18:10 · Read together)).

EXO 20:21: RV EXO 20:21 · LV EXO 20:21 · Read together EXO 20:21

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OET-RV EXO 20:21

21 So the people stood at a good distance while Mosheh approached toward the thick darkness where God was.

OET-LV EXO 20:21

21 And_ the_people _it _stood from_a _distance and_Mosheh he _drew _near to the _thick_darkness where was_there the_ʼElohīm.

DEU 4:11: RV DEU 4:11 · LV DEU 4:11 · Read together DEU 4:11

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OET-RV DEU 4:11

11 “So you all approached the mountain and stood at its base while it blazed with fire that went up into the atmosphere even though the mountain was covered with dark, gloomy clouds.

OET-LV DEU 4:11

11 And_you(pl)_drew _near and_you(pl)_stood under the_mountain and_the_mountain was_burning with_fire to the _heart _of the_heavens darkness cloud and_thick _darkness.

DEU 5:23: RV DEU 5:23 · LV DEU 5:23 · Read together DEU 5:23

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OET-RV DEU 5:23

23 Then when you heard the voice coming out from the darkness and the mountain was blazing with fire, then all the heads of your tribes and the elders approached me

OET-LV DEU 5:23

23 And_he/it _was just_as_you(pl)_heard DOM the_voice from_the _middle _of the_darkness and_the_mountain was_burning with_fire and_you(pl)_drew _near to_me all _of the _chiefs _of your(pl)_tribes _of_your(pl) and_your _of_elders.

SA2 22:12: RV SA2 22:12 · LV SA2 22:12 · Read together SA2 22:12

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OET-RV SA2 22:12

12 He placed darkness all around him as a covering—
⇔ a collection of dark clouds holding water in them.

OET-LV SA2 22:12

12 And_he _put darkness around _of_him shelters a _sieve _of waters dark _clouds _of clouds.

PSA 18:11: RV PSA 18:11 · LV PSA 18:12 · Read together PSA 18:11

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OET-RV PSA 18:11

11 He made darkness into a tent around him—
⇔ heavy rain clouds in the skies.

OET-LV PSA 18:12

12  He _made darkness covering _of_his around _of_him canopy _of_his darkness _of waters dark _clouds _of clouds.

PSA 97:2: RV PSA 97:2 · LV PSA 97:2 · Read together PSA 97:2

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OET-RV PSA 97:2

2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him.
⇔ Doing what’s right and being fair are the foundation of his throne.

OET-LV PSA 97:2

2 Cloud and_thick _darkness are_around _of_him is_righteousness and_justice the _foundation _of his _throne _of_his.

JOB 26:10: RV JOB 26:10 · LV JOB 26:10 · Read together JOB 26:10

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OET-RV JOB 26:10

10 He’s drawn a circle to mark the limit of the waters,
⇔ and to mark the boundary between light and darkness.

OET-LV JOB 26:10

10 A _limit he _has _drawn _a _circle on the_surface _of the_waters to the_end _of light with darkness.

PSA 104:20: RV PSA 104:20 · LV PSA 104:20 · Read together PSA 104:20

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OET-RV PSA 104:20

20 You make the darkness at night,
⇔ when all the animals in the forest move around.

OET-LV PSA 104:20

20 You _make darkness and_ night _let _it _be in/on/over_him/it every _of animal _of_his the_forest it _moves _about.

PSA 105:28: RV PSA 105:28 · LV PSA 105:28 · Read together PSA 105:28

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OET-RV PSA 105:28

28 He sent darkness and the place went dark.
⇔ They couldn’t argue against his commands.

OET-LV PSA 105:28

28 He _sent darkness and_he _made _dark and_not they _rebelled _against DOM mmm.

ISA 45:7: RV ISA 45:7 · LV ISA 45:7 · Read together ISA 45:7

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OET-RV ISA 45:7

7 I formed the light and created the darkness.
⇔ I bring peace and prosperity, and I cause disasters.
⇔ It’s me, Yahweh, who does all those things.

OET-LV ISA 45:7

7 I_am_forming light and_I_am_creating darkness I_am_bringing _about well-being and_I_am_creating calamity I am_YHWH who_does all _of these_things.

KI1 8:12: RV KI1 8:12 · LV KI1 8:12 · Read together KI1 8:12

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OET-RV KI1 8:12

12 Then Shelomoh (Solomon) said, “Yahweh stated that he would dwell in the cloudy darkness.

OET-LV KI1 8:12

12 Then Shəlomoh/(Solomon) he _said YHWH he _has _said to_dwell in _(the)_darkness.

CH2 6:1: RV CH2 6:1 · LV CH2 6:1 · Read together CH2 6:1

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OET-RV CH2 6:1

6 Then Shelomoh (Solomon) prayed, “Yahweh, you said that you would live in a dark cloud,

OET-LV CH2 6:1

6 Then Shəlomoh/(Solomon) he _said YHWH he _has _said to_dwell in _(the)_darkness.

SA2 22:10: RV SA2 22:10 · LV SA2 22:10 · Read together SA2 22:10

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OET-RV SA2 22:10

10 He stretched out the heavens,
⇔ then he came down and it was dark below him.

OET-LV SA2 22:10

10 And_he _bent _down the_heavens and_he _came _down and_thick _darkness was_under feet _of_his.

PSA 18:9: RV PSA 18:9 · LV PSA 18:10 · Read together PSA 18:9

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OET-RV PSA 18:9

9 He opened the skies and came down,
⇔ and heavy darkness was under his feet.

OET-LV PSA 18:10

10  And_he _bent _down the_heavens and_he _came _down and_thick _darkness was_under feet _of_his.

Most figurative references to darkness appear in poetic material, such as Job, Psalms, and Isaiah. Generally, such darkness depicts ignorance about God’s will. Knowledge of God is “light”; hence, lack of such knowledge is “darkness” (Jb 12:24-25 (RV · LV · Read together); Mt 4:16 (RV · LV · Read together); Jn 1:5 (RV · LV · Read together); 8:12 (RV · LV · Read together); 12:35, 46 (RV JHN 12:35 · RV JHN 12:46 · LV JHN 12:35 · LV JHN 12:46 · Read together JHN 12:35 · Read together JHN 12:46); 1 Jn 1:5 (RV · LV · Read together); 2:8-9, 11 (RV JN1 2:8–9 · RV JN1 2:11 · LV JN1 2:8–9 · LV JN1 2:11 · Read together JN1 2:8–9 · Read together JN1 2:11)).

JOB 12:24–25: RV JOB 12:24–25 · LV JOB 12:24–25 · Read together JOB 12:24–25

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OET-RV JOB 12:24

24 He removes the heart from the leaders of the people of the land,
⇔ and makes them wander in wasteland where there’s no paths.

OET-RV JOB 12:25

25 They grope in the darkness without any light,
⇔ and he makes them stagger around as if they’re drunk.

OET-LV JOB 12:24

24 He_is_removing the _heart _of the _leaders _of the _people _of the_earth/land and_he_made _them _wander in_a _wasteland not a _path.

OET-LV JOB 12:25

25 They _grope darkness and_not light and_he_made _them _wander like_drunkard.

MAT 4:16: RV MAT 4:16 · LV MAT 4:16 · Read together MAT 4:16

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OET-RV MAT 4:16

16 The people sitting in darkness
⇔ saw a powerful light,
⇔ and those sitting in a land under the shadow of death
⇔ had a light rise over them.’

OET-LV MAT 4:16

16 The people which sitting in darkness saw a_ great _light, and to _the ones sitting in a_land and shadow of _death, a_light rose on _them.

JHN 1:5: RV JHN 1:5 · LV JHN 1:5 · Read together JHN 1:5

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OET-RV JHN 1:5

5 And that light is shining in the darkness, and darkness cannot overcome him.

OET-LV JHN 1:5

5 And the light is _shining in the darkness, and it not grasped the darkness.

JHN 8:12: RV JHN 8:12 · LV JHN 8:12 · Read together JHN 8:12

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OET-RV JHN 8:12

12 Because of this, Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) told them, “I am the light for the world—anyone who follows me won’t walk in the darkness but will have the light that gives life.”

OET-LV JHN 8:12

12 Therefore the Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) spoke to _them again saying:
I am the light of _the world, the one following after _me by _no _means may_ not _walk in the darkness, but will _be _having the light of_ the _life.

JHN 12:35; JHN 12:46: RV JHN 12:35 · RV JHN 12:46 · LV JHN 12:35 · LV JHN 12:46 · Read together JHN 12:35 · Read together JHN 12:46

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OET-RV JHN 12:35

35 Yeshua answered them, “The light will be among you all for just a little bit longer, so get walking while you have the light so that you won’t have to deal with darkness. Anyone walking in the dark doesn’t know where they’re going.

OET-RV JHN 12:46

46 I came into this world as light so that anyone who believes in me won’t have darkness residing in them.

OET-LV JHN 12:35

35 Therefore the Yaʸsous said to _them:
The light is with you _all still a_little time.
be _walking while you _all _are _having the light, in _order _that you _all may_ not _grasp darkness, and the one walking in the darkness, has_ not _known where he _is _going.

OET-LV JHN 12:46

46 I have _come into the world as_a_light, in _order _that everyone which believing in me, in the darkness may_ not _remain.

JN1 1:5: RV JN1 1:5 · LV JN1 1:5 · Read together JN1 1:5

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OET-RV JN1 1:5

5 This is the message that we heard from him and which we are declaring to you all: God is light and there is no darkness in him—none at all.

OET-LV JN1 1:5

5 And this is the message which we _have _heard from him and we _are _declaring to _you _all, that the god is light, and darkness is not in him, not _one.

JN1 2:8–9; JN1 2:11: RV JN1 2:8–9 · RV JN1 2:11 · LV JN1 2:8–9 · LV JN1 2:11 · Read together JN1 2:8–9 · Read together JN1 2:11

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OET-RV JN1 2:8

8 Then again I am writing a new rule to you—a rule which is true in Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) and in you all, because the darkness is already disappearing and the true light is already shining.

OET-RV JN1 2:9

9 Anyone who says they’re in the light but hates a fellow believer, is still in the darkness.

OET-RV JN1 2:11

11 But the person who hates a fellow believer is living and walking in the darkness and doesn’t know where they’re going because they’re blinded.

OET-LV JN1 2:8

8 In_contrast I _am _writing a_ new _command to _you _all, which is true in him and in you _all, because the darkness is _being _passed _away, and the the true light is_ already _shining.

OET-LV JN1 2:9

9 The one saying to _be in the light, and hating the brother of _him, is in the darkness until now.

OET-LV JN1 2:11

11 But the one hating the brother of _him, is in the darkness, and is _walking in the darkness, and has_ not _known where he _is _going, because the darkness blinded the eyes of _him.

Job spoke of darkness as equivalent to nothingness (Jb 3:4-6 (RV · LV · Read together)). In other references darkness stands for death, a land of shadows and gloom, the dwelling place of the dead far from the light of day (Jb 10:21-22 (RV · LV · Read together); 15:24 (RV · LV · Read together); 17:12-13 (RV · LV · Read together); 18:18 (RV · LV · Read together); Eccl 6:4 (RV · LV · Read together); 11:8 (RV · LV · Read together)).

JOB 3:4–6: RV JOB 3:4–6 · LV JOB 3:4–6 · Read together JOB 3:4–6

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OET-RV JOB 3:4

4 May that day be dark.
⇔ May God not search for it from above
⇔ and may no light shine on it.

OET-RV JOB 3:5

5 May darkness and a dark shadow claim it.
⇔ ≈ May a cloud remain over it.
⇔ May the blacknesses of the day terrify it.

OET-RV JOB 3:6

6 May gloom take that night.
⇔ May it not be happy among the days of the year.
⇔ May it not enter into the number of months.

OET-LV JOB 3:4

4 The_day (the)_that let _it _be darkness not let_him _care _for _it god (from)_above and_not let _it _shine _forth on/upon/above_him/it daylight.

OET-LV JOB 3:5

5 Let_them _reclaim _it darkness and_deep _darkness let _it _settle _down on/upon/above_him/it cloud let_them _terrify _it the_darkness(es)_of day.

OET-LV JOB 3:6

6 The_night (the)_that let_it _take _it gloom not let _it _rejoice among_the_days _of the_year in_the_number _of the_months not let _it _come.

JOB 10:21–22: RV JOB 10:21–22 · LV JOB 10:21–22 · Read together JOB 10:21–22

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OET-RV JOB 10:21

21 before I go and don’t return to the land of darkness and deep shadow—

OET-RV JOB 10:22

22 the land of gloom and deep darkness,
⇔ disorderly and with gloomy light.

OET-LV JOB 10:21

21 Before_before I _will _go and_not I _will _return to the_land _of darkness and_deep _darkness.

OET-LV JOB 10:22

22 The_land _of darkness_of like gloom _of deep _darkness and_not order(s) and_where_it _shone _forth like gloom.

JOB 15:24: RV JOB 15:24 · LV JOB 15:24 · Read together JOB 15:24

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OET-RV JOB 15:24

24 They’re terrified by distress and anguish.
⇔ ≈ That dread overwhelms them like a king who’s ready for a battle.

OET-LV JOB 15:24

24 They_terrify _him distress and_trouble it_overpowers _him like_a _king ready for_battle.

JOB 17:12–13: RV JOB 17:12–13 · LV JOB 17:12–13 · Read together JOB 17:12–13

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OET-RV JOB 17:12

12 They change night into day in their minds—
⇔ ≈ making light seem near while staring into the darkness.

OET-RV JOB 17:13

13 If I wait for the grave to become my home,
⇔ if I’ve spread out my blankets ready to sleep in the darkness,

OET-LV JOB 17:12

12 Night into_day they _make light is_near from_face/in _front _of darkness.

OET-LV JOB 17:13

13 If I _will _wait _for Shəʼōl home _of_my in_darkness I _have _spread _out beds _of_my.

JOB 18:18: RV JOB 18:18 · LV JOB 18:18 · Read together JOB 18:18

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OET-RV JOB 18:18

18 They’ll be driven from the light out into the darkness,
⇔ ≈ and they’ll be chased out of this world.

OET-LV JOB 18:18

18 People_drive _him from_light into darkness and_from_the_world they_chase _him _away.

ECC 6:4: RV ECC 6:4 · LV ECC 6:4 · Read together ECC 6:4

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OET-RV ECC 6:4

4 because that child came for no reason
⇔ and it went in darkness, and its name will be covered in darkness.

OET-LV ECC 6:4

4 If/because in_futility it _came and_in_darkness it _will _go and_in_darkness his/its_name it _is _covered.

ECC 11:8: RV ECC 11:8 · LV ECC 11:8 · Read together ECC 11:8

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OET-RV ECC 11:8

8 Even if a person lives for many years,
⇔ they should take pleasure in all of them,
⇔ but remember the dark days
⇔ because everything that happens is pointless.

OET-LV ECC 11:8

8 If/because if years many the_humankind he _will _live in_all _of_of _them let _him _take _pleasure and_let _him _remember DOM the _days _of the_darkness if/because many they _will _be all that_it _has _come is_futility.

Darkness frequently stands for distress and anxiety, or for the confusion and destruction experienced by the wicked (Gn 15:12 (RV · LV · Read together); Jb 5:14 (RV · LV · Read together); 12:25 (RV · LV · Read together); 15:22, 30 (RV JOB 15:22 · RV JOB 15:30 · LV JOB 15:22 · LV JOB 15:30 · Read together JOB 15:22 · Read together JOB 15:30); 19:8 (RV · LV · Read together); 22:11 (RV · LV · Read together); Pss 35:6 (RV · LV · Read together); 107:10, 14 (RV PSA 107:10 · RV PSA 107:14 · LV PSA 107:10 · LV PSA 107:14 · Read together PSA 107:10 · Read together PSA 107:14); Eccl 5:17 (RV · LV ECC 5:16 · Read together); Is 5:30 (RV · LV · Read together)). Moral depravity is sometimes described as darkness (Prv 2:13 (RV · LV · Read together); 4:19 (RV · LV · Read together); Is 5:20 (RV · LV · Read together); 60:2 (RV · LV · Read together)). In the NT darkness is generally a metaphor of moral depravity and spiritual ignorance (Mt 4:16 (RV · LV · Read together); 6:23 (RV · LV · Read together); Lk 1:79 (RV · LV · Read together); 11:35 (RV · LV · Read together); 22:53 (RV · LV · Read together); Rom 2:19 (RV · LV · Read together); Col 1:13 (RV · LV · Read together)).

GEN 15:12: RV GEN 15:12 · LV GEN 15:12 · Read together GEN 15:12

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OET-RV GEN 15:12

12 Later as the sun was going down, Avram fell into a deep sleep, and it suddenly became completely dark and he became terrified,

OET-LV GEN 15:12

12 And_he/it _was the_sun about_to_go and_a _deep _sleep it _fell on ʼAⱱrām and_BEHOLD/LO/SEE dread darkness great was_falling on/upon/above_him/it.

JOB 5:14: RV JOB 5:14 · LV JOB 5:14 · Read together JOB 5:14

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OET-RV JOB 5:14

14 Even in the daytime, they remain in darkness.
⇔ Even at midday, they feel their way around as if it’s nighttime.

OET-LV JOB 5:14

14 By _day they _meet darkness and_like_night they _grope at_noon(s).

JOB 12:25: RV JOB 12:25 · LV JOB 12:25 · Read together JOB 12:25

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OET-RV JOB 12:25

25 They grope in the darkness without any light,
⇔ and he makes them stagger around as if they’re drunk.

OET-LV JOB 12:25

25 They _grope darkness and_not light and_he_made _them _wander like_drunkard.

JOB 15:22; JOB 15:30: RV JOB 15:22 · RV JOB 15:30 · LV JOB 15:22 · LV JOB 15:30 · Read together JOB 15:22 · Read together JOB 15:30

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OET-RV JOB 15:22

22 They don’t believe that the darkness will ever end.
⇔ They’re destined for the sword.

OET-RV JOB 15:30

30 Wicked people will never escape the darkness.
⇔ A flame will wither their branches,
⇔ and with one breath of their mouths, they’ll be gone.

OET-LV JOB 15:22

22 Not he _believes to _return from darkness and he to the_sword.

OET-LV JOB 15:30

30 Not he _will _depart from darkness shoot[s]_of_his _young a _flame it _will _dry _up and_he _will _depart by_the _breath _of his _mouth _of_his.

JOB 19:8: RV JOB 19:8 · LV JOB 19:8 · Read together JOB 19:8

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OET-RV JOB 19:8

8 He’s blocked my road so I can’t get past,
⇔ ≈ and he places darkness over my paths.

OET-LV JOB 19:8

8 way _of_my he _has _walled _up and_not I _will _pass and_on paths _of_my darkness he _puts.

JOB 22:11: RV JOB 22:11 · LV JOB 22:11 · Read together JOB 22:11

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OET-RV JOB 22:11

11 or darkness so you can’t see,
⇔ and a flood of water covers you.

OET-LV JOB 22:11

11 Or darkness not you _will _see and_an _abundance _of water it_will _cover _you.

PSA 35:6: RV PSA 35:6 · LV PSA 35:6 · Read together PSA 35:6

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OET-RV PSA 35:6

6 May their path be dark and slippery,
⇔ as Yahweh’s messenger chases after them.

OET-LV PSA 35:6

6 May _it _be way _of_their darkness and_slippery _places and_the _messenger _of YHWH be_pursuing _of_them.

PSA 107:10; PSA 107:14: RV PSA 107:10 · RV PSA 107:14 · LV PSA 107:10 · LV PSA 107:14 · Read together PSA 107:10 · Read together PSA 107:14

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OET-RV PSA 107:10

10 Some sat in darkness and in gloom—
⇔ prisoners chained up and experiencing suffering.

OET-RV PSA 107:14

14 He broke off their chains
⇔ ≈ and brought them out of darkness and gloom.

OET-LV PSA 107:10

10 Those _who_sat _of darkness and_deep _darkness prisoners _of affliction and_iron.

OET-LV PSA 107:14

14 He_brought _them _out from_darkness and_deep _darkness and_fetters _of_their he _tore _apart.

ECC 5:17: RV ECC 5:17 · LV ECC 5:16 · Read together ECC 5:17

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OET-RV ECC 5:17

17 What’s more, all his life he’ll eat in darkness,
⇔ and in a lot of distress, as well as sickness and anger.

OET-LV ECC 5:16

16  Also all _of his/its_days in_darkness he _eats and_he _is _vexed greatly and_sickness _of_his and_anger.

ISA 5:30: RV ISA 5:30 · LV ISA 5:30 · Read together ISA 5:30

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OET-RV ISA 5:30

⇔  30 They will roar above their prey on that day,
⇔ ≈ like the roaring of the ocean.
⇔ If someone looks across the land they’d only see darkness and distress.
⇔ ≈ The light has been darkened by the clouds.

OET-LV ISA 5:30

30 And_it _will _growl on/upon/above_him/it in _the_day (the)_that like_the_growling _of the_sea and_someone _will _look to_land and_BEHOLD/LO/SEE darkness distress and_light it _has _become _dark by_clouds _of_its.

PRO 2:13: RV PRO 2:13 · LV PRO 2:13 · Read together PRO 2:13

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OET-RV PRO 2:13

13 the ones who abandon the paths of godliness
⇔ to walk in the ways of darkness,

OET-LV PRO 2:13

13 Who_leave paths _of uprightness to_go in_the _ways _of darkness.

PRO 4:19: RV PRO 4:19 · LV PRO 4:19 · Read together PRO 4:19

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OET-RV PRO 4:19

19 The path of wicked people is like deep darkness,
⇔ → so they don’t even know what they’re stumbling over.

OET-LV PRO 4:19

19 The_way _of wicked_people is_like_darkness not they _know on_what are _they _stumbling.

ISA 5:20: RV ISA 5:20 · LV ISA 5:20 · Read together ISA 5:20

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OET-RV ISA 5:20

20 Those who call evil good, and good evil, won’t end well.
⇔ ≈ Nor will those who make darkness for light and light for darkness,
⇔ ≈ or who set bitter as sweet and sweet as bitter!

OET-LV ISA 5:20

20 Woe _to those_who_say of_evil good and_of_good evil those _who_make darkness into_light and_light into_darkness those _who_make bitter into_sweet and_sweet into_bitter.

ISA 60:2: RV ISA 60:2 · LV ISA 60:2 · Read together ISA 60:2

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OET-RV ISA 60:2

2 Yes, listen, darkness will cover the earth.
⇔ ≈ and thick darkness will blanket the nations,
⇔ and then Yahweh will dawn over you,
⇔ ≈ and his brilliance will appear over you.

OET-LV ISA 60:2

2 If/because THERE the_darkness it _will _cover the_earth and_thick _darkness peoples and_on_you YHWH he _will _dawn and_glory _of_his over_you it _will _appear.

MAT 6:23: RV MAT 6:23 · LV MAT 6:23 · Read together MAT 6:23

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OET-RV MAT 6:23

23 But if your eyes are evil, your entire body will be dark.

OET-LV MAT 6:23

23 But if the eye of _you may _be evil, all the body of _you will _be dark.
Therefore if the light which in you is darkness, how _great is the darkness.

LUK 1:79: RV LUK 1:79 · LV LUK 1:79 · Read together LUK 1:79

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OET-RV LUK 1:79

79 to shine on those in darkness and sitting in the shadow of death;
⇔ to guide us onto the road of peace.”

OET-LV LUK 1:79

79 to _shine _upon upon _the ones in darkness and sitting in_the_shadow of _death, which to _direct the feet of _us into the_way of _peace.

LUK 11:35: RV LUK 11:35 · LV LUK 11:35 · Read together LUK 11:35

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OET-RV LUK 11:35

35 so take care in case the light in you has gone dark.

OET-LV LUK 11:35

35 Therefore be _looking _out, lest the light which in you is darkness.

LUK 22:53: RV LUK 22:53 · LV LUK 22:53 · Read together LUK 22:53

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OET-RV LUK 22:53

53 I was there in the temple with you all everyday and yet you didn’t arrest me there. Yes, because this is your time: with the power of the darkness.”

OET-LV LUK 22:53

53 In _every day of _me being with you _all in the temple, you _all_ not _stretched _out your hands against me.
But this is the hour of _you _all, and the power of _the darkness.

ROM 2:19: RV ROM 2:19 · LV ROM 2:19 · Read together ROM 2:19

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OET-RV ROM 2:19

19 and if you’ve persuaded yourself that you’re a guide for blind people and a light to people who are in darkness,

OET-LV ROM 2:19

19 and you _have _persuaded yourself a_guide to _be of_the_blind, a_light to _the ones in darkness,

COL 1:13: RV COL 1:13 · LV COL 1:13 · Read together COL 1:13

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OET-RV COL 1:13

13 The father rescued us from the power of darkness and redirected us into the kingdom of his dear son—

OET-LV COL 1:13

13 who rescued us from the power of_ the _darkness, and redirected us into the kingdom of _the son of _the love of _him,

A major theme of OT prophets was the Day of the Lord, often associated with darkness (Ez 32:8 (RV · LV · Read together); Jl 2:2, 31 (RV JOL 2:2 · RV JOL 2:31 · LV JOL 2:2 · LV JOL 3:4 · Read together JOL 2:2 · Read together JOL 2:31); Am 5:18, 20 (RV AMO 5:18 · RV AMO 5:20 · LV AMO 5:18 · LV AMO 5:20 · Read together AMO 5:18 · Read together AMO 5:20); Zep 1:15 (RV · LV · Read together)). The NT also links darkness with judgment in connection with Christ’s second coming (Mt 8:12 (RV · LV · Read together); 22:13 (RV · LV · Read together); 25:30 (RV · LV · Read together); 2 Pt 2:17 (RV · LV · Read together); Jude 1:6, 13 (RV JDE 1:6 · RV JDE 1:13 · LV JDE 1:6 · LV JDE 1:13 · Read together JDE 1:6 · Read together JDE 1:13)). Those who come to know God are said to come out of darkness (Is 9:2 (RV · LV ISA 9:1 · Read together); 29:18 (RV · LV · Read together); 42:7 (RV · LV · Read together)); darkness cannot be a hiding place from God (Jb 34:22 (RV · LV · Read together); Ps 139:11-12 (RV · LV · Read together); Is 29:15 (RV · LV · Read together)).

EZE 32:8: RV EZE 32:8 · LV EZE 32:8 · Read together EZE 32:8

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OET-RV EZE 32:8

8 I’ll darken all the shining lights in the skies over you,
⇔ and I’ll put darkness over your land. That’s the master Yahweh’s declaration.

OET-LV EZE 32:8

8 All _of the_luminaries _of light in_heavens I_will _darken _them over_you and_I _will _put darkness over land _of_your the _utterance _of my_master YHWH.

JOL 2:2; JOL 2:31: RV JOL 2:2 · RV JOL 2:31 · LV JOL 2:2 · LV JOL 3:4 · Read together JOL 2:2 · Read together JOL 2:31

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OET-RV JOL 2:2

2 It’ll be a day of darkness and gloom—
⇔ a day of clouds and thick darkness
⇔ like the dawn being spread out on the mountains.
⇔ There hasn’t been a great and mighty army like that since the beginning of time,
⇔ and after it there won’t be again for many generations.

OET-RV JOL 2:31

31 The sun will be turned into darkness
⇔ ≈ and the moon into blood,
⇔ ahead of the coming of Yahweh’s incredible yet scary day.

OET-LV JOL 2:2

2 A _day _of darkness and_gloom a _day _of cloud and_thick _darkness like_dawn spread _out over the_mountains a _people numerous and_mighty like_it not it _has _occurred since (the)_antiquity and_after_it not it _will _repeat until years _of a _generation and_a _generation.

OET-LV JOL 3:4

4  The_sun it _will _be _changed into_darkness and_the_moon into_blood to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before the _day _of YHWH (the)_great and_(the)_awesome comes.

AMO 5:18; AMO 5:20: RV AMO 5:18 · RV AMO 5:20 · LV AMO 5:18 · LV AMO 5:20 · Read together AMO 5:18 · Read together AMO 5:20

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OET-RV AMO 5:18

18 You who desire the day of Yahweh won’t end well.
⇔ Why do you long for the day of Yahweh?
⇔ It’ll be darkness and not light,

OET-RV AMO 5:20

20 Won’t Yahweh’s day consist of darkness and not light?
⇔ ≈ Gloom and no brightness?

OET-LV AMO 5:18

18 Woe _to those_who_desire DOM the _day _of YHWH to/for_what this to/for_you(pl) the _day _of YHWH it will _be_darkness and_not light.

OET-LV AMO 5:20

20 Not be_darkness will_the _day _of YHWH and_not light and_gloomy and_not brightness to_him/it.

ZEP 1:15: RV ZEP 1:15 · LV ZEP 1:15 · Read together ZEP 1:15

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OET-RV ZEP 1:15

15 That day will be a day of anger,
⇔ a day of distress and anguish,
⇔ a day of destruction and desolation,
⇔ a day of darkness and gloom,
⇔ a day of cloud and thick darkness,

OET-LV ZEP 1:15

15 Will _be_a _day _of fury the_day (the)_that a _day _of distress and_trouble a _day _of devastation and_desolation a _day _of darkness and_gloom a _day _of cloud and_thick _darkness.

MAT 8:12: RV MAT 8:12 · LV MAT 8:12 · Read together MAT 8:12

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OET-RV MAT 8:12

12 but the ones who thought they were the true children will be thrown out into the distant darkness where there’ll be crying and regrets.

OET-LV MAT 8:12

12 but the sons of _the kingdom will _be _being _thrown _out into the the outer darkness, there will _be the weeping and the grating of_ the _teeth.

MAT 22:13: RV MAT 22:13 · LV MAT 22:13 · Read together MAT 22:13

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OET-RV MAT 22:13

13 So the king told his servants, ‘Tie up the man’s hands and feet, and throw him outside into the darkness, where there’ll be weeping and a lot of anguish.’

OET-LV MAT 22:13

13 Then the king said to _the servants:
Having _bound the_feet and hands of _him, throw_ him _out into the the outer darkness, there will _be the weeping and the grating of_ the _teeth.

MAT 25:30: RV MAT 25:30 · LV MAT 25:30 · Read together MAT 25:30

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OET-RV MAT 25:30

30 So throw that useless slave out into the darkness where there’ll be crying and a lot of anguish.

OET-LV MAT 25:30

30 And throw _out the useless slave into the the outer darkness.
There will _be the weeping and the grating of_ the _teeth.

PE2 2:17: RV PE2 2:17 · LV PE2 2:17 · Read together PE2 2:17

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OET-RV PE2 2:17

17 These men are like waterless fountains and like mists driven by storms, and the gloomy darkness is reserved for them

OET-LV PE2 2:17

17 These are waterless springs, and mists being _driven by storm, for _whom the darkness of_ the _darkness has _been _kept.

JDE 1:6; JDE 1:13: RV JDE 1:6 · RV JDE 1:13 · LV JDE 1:6 · LV JDE 1:13 · Read together JDE 1:6 · Read together JDE 1:13

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OET-RV JDE 1:6

6 Even the messengers who broke their own rules and left their own domain have been held in eternal chains in the darkness until the time of judgement in the great day.

OET-RV JDE 1:13

13 like wild waves in the ocean that foam in their own shame or like unreliable wandering stars that are already doomed to the darkest darkness in the next age.

OET-LV JDE 1:6

6 And the_messengers which not having _kept the rule of _themselves, but having _left _behind their own dwelling, has _kept in_ eternal _bonds under darkness to the_judgement of_the_great day.

OET-LV JDE 1:13

13 wild waves of_the_sea foaming _out the shame of _themselves, wandering stars, to _whom the darkness of_ the _darkness has _been _kept to the_age.

ISA 9:2: RV ISA 9:2 · LV ISA 9:1 · Read together ISA 9:2

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OET-RV ISA 9:2

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a powerful light.
⇔ ≈ The light has shone on those who’ve lived in a land of darkness.

OET-LV ISA 9:1

9  The_people which_walk in_darkness they _will _see a _light great those _who_dwell _of in_land deep _darkness a _light it _will _shine on_them.

ISA 29:18: RV ISA 29:18 · LV ISA 29:18 · Read together ISA 29:18

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OET-RV ISA 29:18

18 At that time, deaf people will be able to hear the words from a scroll,
⇔ ≈ and from their gloom and darkness, the eyes of blind people will be able to see.

OET-LV ISA 29:18

18 And_they _will _hear in_day (the)_that the _deaf_people the_words/messages _of a _scroll and_from_gloom and_from_darkness the_eyes _of blind_people they _will _see.

ISA 42:7: RV ISA 42:7 · LV ISA 42:7 · Read together ISA 42:7

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OET-RV ISA 42:7

7 to open the eyes of the blind—
⇔ to bring prisoners out of the dungeon—
⇔ ≈ to release those who live in dark prisons.

OET-LV ISA 42:7

7 To_open eyes blind to_bring _out from_prison prisoner[s] from_a _house _of imprisonment those _who_dwell _of darkness.

JOB 34:22: RV JOB 34:22 · LV JOB 34:22 · Read together JOB 34:22

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OET-RV JOB 34:22

22 There’s no darkness or gloom
⇔ that wicked people can hide in.

OET-LV JOB 34:22

22 There_is_not darkness and_there_is_not deep _darkness to_hide _themselves there those _who_do _of (of)_wickedness.

PSA 139:11–12: RV PSA 139:11–12 · LV PSA 139:11–12 · Read together PSA 139:11–12

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OET-RV PSA 139:11

11 If I said, “Surely the darkness will cover me,
⇔ and the light will become night around me,”

OET-RV PSA 139:12

12 even the darkness wouldn’t be dark to you,
⇔ and the night would shine like the day.
⇔ The darkness is like the light to you.

OET-LV PSA 139:11

11 And_I _said surely darkness it_will _crush _me and_will _be_night the_light behind_me.

OET-LV PSA 139:12

12 Also darkness not it _is_too_dark for_you and_night like_day it _shines as_darkness as_light.

ISA 29:15: RV ISA 29:15 · LV ISA 29:15 · Read together ISA 29:15

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OET-RV ISA 29:15

15 Those who keep their plans down deep to hide them from Yahweh, won’t end well,
⇔ and they did what they wanted in dark places, saying, “Who can see us? Who could know what we’re doing?”

OET-LV ISA 29:15

15 Woe _to those_who_make _deep from_YHWH to_hide a _plan and_it _was in_a _dark _place deeds _of_their and_they _said who is_seeing _of_us and_who is_knowing _of_us.