עֲלָטָה (a.la.tah)
a.la.tah
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 alatah describes a dense, impenetrable darkness, distinct from simple night or shadow. It conveys a sense of heavy obscurity that blocks out light completely. This word appears only once in the entire Old Testament, located in Genesis 15:12.
In that specific context, it depicts the deep gloom that fell upon Abram as he waited for God’s covenant promise. The term suggests more than just the absence of sun; it implies a thick, atmospheric weight. Translators often render it as "thick darkness" to capture this physical and spiritual intensity.
Its singular usage highlights its unique descriptive power in Scripture. By reserving this word for one pivotal moment, the text emphasizes the profound mystery and solemnity of that divine encounter. The darkness serves as a backdrop for revelation, marking a time when human sight fails but divine assurance remains.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word alatah describes a heavy, impenetrable darkness that goes beyond simple night. It appears only once in Scripture, in Genesis 15:12, where it falls upon Abram as he waits for God’s promise. This thick gloom blocks out all light, creating a sense of profound mystery and solemnity. In this moment, human sight fails completely, leaving Abram in a state of deep obscurity.
Yet this darkness is not a place of abandonment. It serves as the backdrop for a divine encounter where God’s assurance remains despite the lack of visual evidence. For us, this reminds us that faith often grows in seasons where we cannot see the path ahead. When life feels heavy or unclear, we can trust that God’s promises stand firm even when the way is hidden.
This unique word invites us to rest in God’s presence during times of uncertainty. It shows that divine revelation can occur even in the deepest shadows. We are encouraged to hold fast to hope, knowing that God’s light does not depend on our ability to see clearly. His faithfulness endures through every season of obscurity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ darkness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/עֲלָטָ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 15:17
It came to pass that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.
This verse captures the moment when the thick darkness gives way to God’s covenant presence, symbolized by the smoking furnace and flaming torch passing between the pieces.