מַאְפֵּלְיָה (ma.phe.le.yah)
ma.phe.le.yah
darkness
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ma’phelyah denotes a profound, oppressive darkness. It is not merely the absence of light but a heavy, enveloping gloom that obscures vision and creates a sense of disorientation. The word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, making it a rare and striking term for conveying intense obscurity.
In Jeremiah 2:31, the prophet uses this word to describe God’s response to Israel’s rebellion. Rather than a gentle correction, the text portrays divine judgment as an overwhelming darkness that engulfs the people. This usage highlights the severity of the covenant breach, suggesting that sin can lead to a spiritual state where guidance and clarity are entirely lost.
Translators often render ma’phelyah as "darkness" or "deep darkness," but the context in Jeremiah implies a more active force than simple nightfall. It serves as a metaphor for the consequences of turning away from God, illustrating how moral failure can result in a profound loss of direction and understanding.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ma'phelyah describes a heavy, suffocating gloom that goes beyond simple nightfall. It is an oppressive darkness that obscures vision and leaves one feeling disoriented. In Jeremiah 2:31, the prophet uses this rare term to describe the spiritual state of Israel after turning away from God. This imagery reminds us that sin does not just break rules; it clouds our ability to see clearly and find our way.
When we face seasons where guidance feels lost, this word offers a sobering but honest perspective. It shows that distance from God leads to confusion, yet recognizing this state is the first step toward seeking light again. The Bible does not leave us in this deep darkness; it invites us back to the source of clarity and truth.
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.
- מַאְפֵּ֖לְיָ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 2:31
Generation, consider Yahweh’s word. Have I been a wilderness to Israel? Or a land of thick darkness? Why do my people say, ‘We have broken loose. We will come to you no more’?
This verse uniquely uses ma'phelyah to depict the disorienting spiritual consequence of Israel's rebellion, framing it as a land of thick darkness rather than a guiding wilderness.