אֹ֫פֶל (o.phel)
o.phel
darkness
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word o.phel describes thick, oppressive darkness or gloom. It appears eight times in the Old Testament, primarily in poetic books like Job and Psalms, as well as in Isaiah. The term conveys more than just the absence of light; it suggests a heavy, tangible obscurity that obscures vision and creates a sense of unease.
Beyond its physical sense, o.phel carries a strong figurative weight. Lexical sources note that it often represents spiritual unreceptivity or calamity. When prophets use this word, they are not merely describing nightfall but signaling divine judgment or the despair of those cut off from God’s guidance. For instance, in Job 3:4, Job wishes for darkness to cover his birth day, using o.phel to express profound grief and a desire for non-existence.
This word highlights how ancient Hebrew thought linked physical light with life and divine favor, while deep darkness symbolized trouble and separation. Translators typically render it as "darkness" or "gloom," capturing both the literal shadow and the metaphorical weight of distress found in these texts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word o.phel describes a heavy, tangible darkness that goes beyond the simple absence of light. It suggests an oppressive gloom that obscures vision and brings a sense of unease. In the Old Testament, this term often carries a figurative weight, representing spiritual unreceptivity or deep distress. When Job wished for thick darkness to cover his birth day, he was expressing profound grief and a desire for non-existence in the face of suffering.
For your faith life, this word reminds us that even in seasons of shadow, God’s presence is not limited by our circumstances. The prophets used o.phel to signal divine judgment or despair, yet they also pointed toward hope. In Isaiah 29:18, the blind will see out of obscurity and darkness, showing that light can break through even the thickest gloom. This offers comfort when you feel cut off from guidance.
Understanding o.phel helps us recognize that darkness in Scripture is not just a physical state but a metaphor for trouble and separation. Yet, it also highlights the contrast with divine favor and life. When you face uncertainty, remember that this heavy darkness is not the final word. God’s light can penetrate even the deepest obscurity, offering hope and restoration to those who wait on Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- gloom3×
- darkness3×
- gloom of1×
- and/ from/ gloom1×
- [which] in the/ darkness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֹֽפֶל\׃2×
- וּ/מֵ/אֹ֣פֶל1×
- בָּ/אֹ֣פֶל1×
- אֹֽפֶל\׃\ \פ1×
- אֹ֥פֶל1×
- אֹ֣פֶל1×
- אֹ֝֗פֶל1×
- אֹ֗פֶל1×
Key Verses
-
Job 3:6
As for that night, let thick darkness seize on it. Let it not rejoice among the days of the year. Let it not come into the number of the months.
This verse uses o.phel to express Job's profound grief and desire for his birth day to be erased by thick darkness.
-
Isaiah 29:18
In that day, the deaf will hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind will see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
Here, the word appears in a promise of restoration where the blind will see out of obscurity and darkness, highlighting hope amid judgment.
-
Job 30:26
When I looked for good, then evil came. When I waited for light, darkness came.
Job uses o.phel to describe the painful reality that when he waited for light, darkness came, reflecting his deep distress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word o.phel mean?
How is o.phel different from other words for darkness?
Where does o.phel appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 3 books)
Job 5 verses
As for that night, let thick darkness seize on it. Let it not rejoice among the days of the year. Let it not come into…
Job 10:22the land dark as midnight, of the shadow of death, without any order, where the light is as midnight.’”
Job 23:17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
Job 28:3Man sets an end to darkness, and searches out, to the furthest bound, the stones of obscurity and of thick darkness.
Job 30:26When I looked for good, then evil came. When I waited for light, darkness came.