The term "darkeneth" is an archaic form of the verb "darken," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often symbolizing the removal of light, understanding, or divine favor. In the Berean Standard Bible , the concept of darkening is frequently associated with spiritual blindness, judgment, or the obscuring of truth.

Biblical Usage and Symbolism

1. Spiritual Blindness and Ignorance: In the Scriptures, darkening often symbolizes a lack of spiritual insight or understanding. For instance, in Romans 1:21 , it is written, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts." Here, the darkening of hearts signifies a willful rejection of God's truth, leading to spiritual ignorance and moral decay.

2. Divine Judgment: Darkening can also represent God's judgment upon individuals or nations. In the prophetic literature, darkness is frequently used to describe the day of the Lord, a time of divine retribution. Joel 2:31 states, "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD." This imagery conveys the severity and inescapability of God's judgment.

3. Obscuring of Truth: The act of darkening can imply the deliberate concealment of truth. In Job 38:2 , God challenges Job, saying, "Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge?" Here, the darkening of counsel refers to the distortion or misunderstanding of divine wisdom, highlighting the limitations of human comprehension in contrast to God's infinite understanding.

4. Moral and Ethical Decline: The concept of darkening is also used to describe moral and ethical decline. Ephesians 4:18 speaks of those who are "darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts." This passage underscores the connection between spiritual darkness and ethical corruption, emphasizing the transformative power of divine light and truth.

Theological Implications

The recurring theme of darkening in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. It underscores the importance of seeking divine wisdom and remaining in the light of God's truth. The imagery of darkness and light is a central motif in Scripture, illustrating the stark contrast between a life aligned with God's will and one that is estranged from His presence.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is portrayed as the light of the world, offering hope and redemption to those who dwell in darkness. John 8:12 records Jesus' declaration, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life." This promise highlights the transformative power of Christ's presence, dispelling spiritual darkness and guiding believers into a life of righteousness and truth.

Conclusion

The concept of darkening in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing themes of spiritual blindness, divine judgment, and moral decline. It serves as a cautionary reminder of the perils of rejecting God's truth and the profound need for His illuminating presence in our lives. Through Christ, believers are called to walk in the light, embracing the wisdom and understanding that comes from a relationship with God.

Psalm CXXXIX.
... Do not thou then darken thy darkness; God darkeneth it not, but enlighteneth it
yet more; for to Him is said in another Psalm, "Thou, Lord, shalt light my ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxix.htm

The Testament of Dan Concerning Anger and Lying.
... For the spirit of anger encompasseth him with the nets of deceit, and blindeth his
natural eyes, and through lying darkeneth his mind, and giveth him a sight ...
/.../the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/vii the testament of dan concerning.htm

Temptations.
... thou heed; be not ruled by thy sensual appetite that can only savor fleshly things,
neither be thou ruled by carnal reason which always darkeneth the things of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xv temptations.htm

Dedication.
... unto diligence and painfulness, to a very denying and renouncing Christian liberty,
when once it is observed, how it entrencheth upon, and darkeneth lustre, or ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/dedication.htm

The Sorrowful Man's Question
... art thou that repliest against God." Job received his answer when the Lord spake
to him out of the whirlwind, and said, "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/the sorrowful mans question.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
... It is man who, by his words, darkeneth counsel. It is impossible to state
the case more clearly, or strongly, than it is stated here. ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter four the sovereignty of.htm

On the Words, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all Things visible ...
... [1058] The Septuagint, from which Cyril quotes the text, differs much from the Hebrew,
and from the English Versions: Who is this that darkeneth counsel by ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture ix on the words.htm

Rom. xii. 1
... For as he that is seized with a frenzy, when he has so lost them, knoweth not even
what is right before him; and the eye, when it is dimmed, darkeneth all the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xx rom xii 1.htm

The Introduction to the Work, with Some Account of the Nature of ...
... Methinks I hear the Almighty's voice saying to me, "Who is this that darkeneth counsel
by words without knowledge?" But pardon thy servant, O Lord. ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter i the introduction to.htm

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory ...
... I have said this because I know nothing that more darkeneth and obscures religion
nor such worldly and temporal interests, so eagerly pursued, and nothing ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv but if ye.htm

Darkeneth (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Darkeneth (1 Occurrence). Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth
counsel by words without knowledge? (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/d/darkeneth.htm - 6k

Darkening (2 Occurrences)

/d/darkening.htm - 7k

Darkeners (1 Occurrence)

/d/darkeners.htm - 6k

Elihu (11 Occurrences)
... And the verdict from the whirlwind is: "darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge."
Elihu thus has a real function in the story, as honorable as overweening ...
/e/elihu.htm - 15k

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