מַאֲפֵל (ma.a.phel)
ma.a.phel
darkness
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun ma’afel denotes physical darkness, specifically the kind that obscures vision and creates a sense of confinement. In the Hebrew Bible, this word appears only once, in Joshua 24:7, where it describes the oppressive conditions faced by the Israelites during their time in Egypt.
Its usage here is striking because it pairs with other terms for affliction to paint a vivid picture of suffering. The text says God brought plagues upon Egypt and led the people out "with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, before your eyes." The darkness mentioned is not merely the absence of light but a tangible element of the Egyptian oppression, contrasting sharply with the deliverance that followed.
While most Hebrew words for darkness like choshekh appear frequently in poetic or wisdom literature to describe spiritual states or natural night, ma’afel is rare and concrete. Its single occurrence anchors it firmly in historical narrative rather than abstract metaphor, serving as a stark reminder of the severity of the bondage from which God rescued His people.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ma’afel appears only once in Scripture, found in Joshua 24:7. It describes the thick, oppressive darkness God placed between the Israelites and their Egyptian captors. This was not simply nightfall but a tangible barrier that concealed God’s people while exposing Egypt to judgment. The term captures the heavy weight of slavery, where vision was blocked and hope seemed distant.
For your faith, this rare word reminds you that God sees in the dark. When circumstances obscure your path or surround you with confusion, remember that God used darkness to protect His people. He did not abandon them in the gloom but worked behind the scenes to bring deliverance. Your current struggles may feel like a confined space, yet God’s power is not limited by what you can see.
This historical moment shows that God uses difficult seasons to shape His purposes. The darkness was temporary, serving as a prelude to freedom. Trust that He is present even when the way forward is unclear. His strength remains constant, guiding you through every shadow toward the light of His promises.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- darkness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַֽאֲפֵ֜ל1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 24:7
When they cried out to Yahweh, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea on them, and covered them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. You lived in the wilderness many days.
This verse uniquely uses ma’afel to describe a protective barrier God erected between Israel and Egypt, highlighting divine concealment during oppression.