The term "Death-shade" is often associated with the Hebrew word "tsalmaveth," which is frequently translated as "shadow of death" in the Bible. This expression is used to convey the profound darkness and fear associated with death and the grave. It appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, illustrating both physical and spiritual dimensions of peril and despair.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 23:4 : "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." This verse is perhaps the most well-known reference to the "shadow of death." It portrays a deep trust in God's presence and protection, even in the most threatening and darkest circumstances. The "valley of the shadow of death" symbolizes the trials and dangers that believers may face, yet it reassures them of God's unwavering guidance and comfort.

2. Job 10:21-22 : "before I go—never to return—to a land of darkness and gloom, to a land of utter darkness and disorder, where even the light is like darkness." In this passage, Job laments his suffering and describes death as a place of darkness and chaos. The "land of darkness" and "shadow of death" reflect the hopelessness and uncertainty that accompany human mortality, emphasizing the need for divine intervention and hope beyond the grave.

3. Isaiah 9:2 : "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned." This prophetic verse speaks of the coming of the Messiah, who brings light and salvation to those dwelling in spiritual darkness. The "shadow of death" here represents the spiritual blindness and despair that Christ's advent dispels, offering redemption and hope to all who believe.

4. Jeremiah 13:16 : "Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dark mountains. You hope for light, but He turns it to the shadow of death and deep gloom." This warning from Jeremiah highlights the consequences of turning away from God. The "shadow of death" serves as a metaphor for divine judgment and the spiritual darkness that ensues when people reject God's truth and guidance.

Theological Significance:

In the biblical narrative, the "shadow of death" is not merely a poetic expression but a profound reality that underscores the human condition in a fallen world. It serves as a reminder of the mortality and vulnerability inherent in human life. However, the consistent biblical message is one of hope and deliverance. Through faith in God, believers are assured of His presence and protection, even in the face of death.

The New Testament further develops this theme by presenting Jesus Christ as the ultimate conqueror of death. His resurrection is the definitive victory over the "shadow of death," offering eternal life to all who trust in Him. As such, the "shadow of death" is transformed from a symbol of fear and despair into a testament of God's redemptive power and promise of eternal life.

Psalm 107
... doth fill abundantly. ^10Such as shut up in darkness deep,. and in death's shade
abide,. ... 14He out of darkness did them bring,. and from death's shade them take; ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 107.htm

The Unrivalled Friend
... time will come to die: you shall pass through the valley of deathshade, but you ... you
shall hear him say, "Here I am;" you shall find the death-shade vale lit up ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the unrivalled friend.htm

The Right Kind of Fear
... They have not yet believed that God will be with them when they pass through the
valley of deathshade; and because they cannot trust him they are all their ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the right kind of fear.htm

Light for those who Sit in Darkness
... was known of the worship of the temple, where error was rampant, where men's minds
were enveloped in darkness, and their hearts in the gloom of deathshade. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/light for those who sit.htm

Psalm 44
... our steps no straying made; ^19Though us thou brak'st in dragons' place,. and
cover'dst with death's shade. ^20If we God's name forgot, or stretch'd. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 44.htm

The Heart of the Gospel
... them. Those who have lain at hell's dark door, wrapped about with a sevenfold
death-shade, even upon them hath a great light shined. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the heart of the gospel.htm

The Private Thoughts and Words of Jesus
... heat of the conflict. A word from his myrrh-dropping lips will perfume the
air, even of the valley of death-shade. Speak to us, Lord ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the private thoughts and words.htm

Precious Deaths
... Nay, let us die. The Head has traversed the valley of death-shade, and let the
members rejoice to follow. "As the Lord their Savior rose,. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/precious deaths.htm

Swooning and Reviving Christ's Feet.
... than I went; and you shall be brought up again even as I have returned from the
tomb." Think of Jesus as having traversed the realm of death-shade, and you ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/swooning and reviving christs feet.htm

Brought up from the Horrible Pit
... hope. They were inhabitants of oblivion, dwellers in the land of death shade,
to remain apart from their kind, cut off from memory. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 28 1882/brought up from the horrible.htm

Death-shade (16 Occurrences)
Death-shade. Death's, Death-shade. Death-stroke . Multi-Version
Concordance Death-shade (16 Occurrences). Luke 1:79 ...
/d/death-shade.htm - 10k

Discerneth (10 Occurrences)
... things? (YLT). Job 24:17 When together, morning 'is' to them deathshade, When
he discerneth the terrors of deathshade. (YLT). Ecclesiastes ...
/d/discerneth.htm - 9k

Obscurity (10 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Job 10:22 A land of obscurity as thick darkness, Death-shade -- and
no order, And the shining 'is' as thick darkness.' (YLT). ...
/o/obscurity.htm - 10k

Removing (24 Occurrences)
... His anger. (YLT). Job 12:22 Removing deep things out of darkness, And He
bringeth out to light death-shade. (YLT). Ecclesiastes 10 ...
/r/removing.htm - 14k

Death-stroke (2 Occurrences)
Death-stroke. Death-shade, Death-stroke. Death-wound . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(ASV). Death-shade, Death-stroke. Death-wound . Reference Bible.
/d/death-stroke.htm - 7k

Darkens (2 Occurrences)
... Amos 5:8 The maker of Kimah and Kesil, And the turner to morning of death-shade,
And day 'as' night He hath made dark, Who is calling to the waters of the sea ...
/d/darkens.htm - 6k

Dwellers (12 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Isaiah 9:2 The people who are walking in darkness Have seen a great light,
Dwellers in a land of death-shade, Light hath shone upon them. (YLT). ...
/d/dwellers.htm - 9k

Death's (1 Occurrence)

/d/death's.htm - 6k

Darkening (2 Occurrences)
... Before He doth cause darkness, And before your feet stumble on dark mountains, And
ye have waited for light, And He hath made it for death-shade, And hath ...
/d/darkening.htm - 7k

Shines (15 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Job 10:22 A land of obscurity as thick darkness, Death-shade -- and
no order, And the shining 'is' as thick darkness.' (See NAS). ...
/s/shines.htm - 10k

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