The term "dusky" is not directly found in the Bible; however, it can be associated with descriptions of color, complexion, or the time of day, such as twilight or evening, which are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures. In biblical times, the concept of "dusky" might relate to the natural transitions between day and night, symbolizing moments of change or uncertainty.

Biblical Context and Symbolism

1. Twilight and Evening: The dusky time of day, often referred to as twilight or evening, is mentioned in several passages. In Genesis 24:63, Isaac goes out to meditate in the field at evening, a time of reflection and transition. The evening is also a time for rest and gathering, as seen in Exodus 12:6, where the Passover lamb is to be slaughtered at twilight.

2. Complexion and Appearance: While the Bible does not use the term "dusky" to describe complexion, it does reference skin color in various contexts. For example, in Song of Solomon 1:5-6, the Shulammite woman describes herself as "dark, yet lovely," indicating a complexion that might be considered dusky. This passage highlights the beauty and dignity of diverse appearances.

3. Symbolic Meaning: The dusky times of day can symbolize spiritual or moral ambiguity. In Proverbs 7:9, the young man lacking judgment is described as walking "in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night," suggesting a time of vulnerability to temptation and sin. This imagery serves as a warning against moral compromise and the dangers that lurk in spiritual darkness.

4. Prophetic Imagery: Dusky imagery is sometimes used in prophetic literature to describe impending judgment or the Day of the Lord. In Amos 5:20, the day of the Lord is described as "darkness, not light; even gloom with no brightness in it," evoking a sense of foreboding and divine judgment.

Cultural and Historical Considerations

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the transition from day to night held significant cultural and religious meaning. It was a time for evening sacrifices and prayers, as seen in Psalm 141:2, where the psalmist's prayer is likened to incense and the lifting of hands to the evening sacrifice. The dusky hours were also a time for families to gather and share in communal activities, reinforcing social and familial bonds.

Theological Reflections

From a theological perspective, the dusky times of day can serve as a metaphor for the human experience of uncertainty and the need for divine guidance. Just as the physical world transitions from light to darkness, individuals may experience spiritual transitions that require reliance on God's wisdom and protection. The Bible encourages believers to seek God's light in times of darkness, as expressed in Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

In summary, while the term "dusky" itself is not explicitly used in the Bible, its associated concepts of twilight, complexion, and spiritual symbolism are woven throughout the biblical narrative, offering rich insights into the human condition and the divine presence in times of transition.1. (a.) Partially dark or obscure; not luminous; dusk; as, a dusky valley.

2. (a.) Tending to blackness in color; partially black; dark-colored; not bright; as, a dusky brown.

3. (a.) Gloomy; sad; melancholy.

4. (a.) Intellectually clouded.

850. auchmeros -- to boast
... to boast. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: auchmeros Phonetic Spelling:
(owkh-may-ros') Short Definition: dingy, dusky, obscure, dark, funereal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/850.htm - 6k6939. Qidron -- perhaps "dusky," a wadi East of Jer.
... Qidron. 6940 . perhaps "dusky," a wadi East of Jer. ... Word Origin from qadar Definition
perhaps "dusky," a wadi E. of Jer. NASB Word Usage Kidron (11). Kidron. ...
/hebrew/6939.htm - 6k

5399. nesheph -- twilight
... Word Origin from nashaph Definition twilight NASB Word Usage dawn (2), dusky (1),
evening (1), twilight (8). dark, dawning of the day morning, night, twilight. ...
/hebrew/5399.htm - 6k

7838. shachor -- black
... black. Or shachowr {shaw-khore'}; from shachar; properly, dusky, but also (absol.)
Jetty -- black. see HEBREW shachar. 7837, 7838. shachor. 7839 . ...
/hebrew/7838.htm - 6k

6938. Qedar -- perhaps "swarthy," a son of Ishmael, also his desc.
... Kedar. From qadar; dusky (of the skin or the tent); Kedar, a son of Ishmael; also
(collectively) Bedouin (as his descendants or representatives) -- Kedar. ...
/hebrew/6938.htm - 6k

6158. oreb -- a raven
... raven. Or mowreb {o-rabe'}; from arab; a raven (from its dusky hue) -- raven.
see HEBREW arab. 6157, 6158. oreb. 6159 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6158.htm - 6k

6150. arab -- to become evening, grow dark
... A primitive root (identical with arab through the idea of covering with a texture);
to grow dusky at sundown -- be darkened, (toward) evening. see HEBREW arab. ...
/hebrew/6150.htm - 6k

651. aphel -- gloomy
... gloom (1). very dark. From an unused root meaning to set as the sun; dusky --
very dark. 650, 651. aphel. 652 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/651.htm - 5k

What is Man?
... the removal of the shade from any part of the earth, the sun immediately shines
bright upon it; whereas if the moon had atmosphere, would appear dim and dusky. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 103 what is man.htm

To the Right Honourable the Earl of Lichfield.
... The noblest spirit fighting her hard fate,. In this damp, dusky region, charged
with storms,. ... sallies on my soul,. And puts delusion's dusky train to flight; ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/to the right honourable the.htm

Revelation of John.
... And I heard a voice saying to me: The appearance of his face is dusky; [2562] the
hairs of his head are sharp, like darts; his eyebrows like a wild beast's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/revelation of john/revelation of john.htm

Introduction
... pleasing to imagine. From dusky lane and fetid alley to open, bright Canadian
fields is, in the very thought, refreshing. A child ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/introduction.htm

We Give Offence by Proclaiming that There is one God...
... Standing under the statue of ??sculapius, adorning the brazen image of Juno, arraying
the helmet of Minerva with dusky figures, thou never thinkest of ...
/.../tertullian/the souls testimony/chapter ii we give offence.htm

Emancipation --Black and White.
... The highest places in the hierarchy of civilization will assuredly not be within
the reach of our dusky cousins, though it is by no means necessary that they ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/ii emancipationblack and white.htm

The House of Zacharias.
... this loud stunning tide Of human care and crime, With whom the melodies abide Of
the everlasting chime; Who carry music in their heart Through dusky lane and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/ii the house of zacharias.htm

The First Ministry of the Baptist.
... of the metropolis, familiar with the Temple services, and accustomed to the splendour
of the palace; fishermen from the Lake of Gennesaret, dusky sons of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/v the first ministry of.htm

On Transparency.
... in his chariot read the Prophet Esaias, Philip asked, "Understandest thou what thou
readest?" and all his effort went to make the dusky stranger comprehend. ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter ii on transparency.htm

In the Sunless Crypt
... identify them or for them to identify her. She lived among them a dusky shadow
among shadows. And because of her fear that Philadelphus ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xviii in the sunless.htm

Dusky (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Partially dark or obscure; not luminous; dusk;
as, a dusky valley. ... Multi-Version Concordance Dusky (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/dusky.htm - 7k

Dusk (21 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Tending to darkness or blackness; moderately
dark or black; dusky. 2. (n.) Imperfect obscurity ...
/d/dusk.htm - 12k

Brown (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A dark color inclining to red or yellow, resulting from the mixture of
red and black, or of red, black, and yellow; a tawny, dusky hue. ...
/b/brown.htm - 8k

Obscure (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Covered over, shaded, or darkened;
destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim. ...
/o/obscure.htm - 9k

Gloomy (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Imperfectly illuminated; dismal through
obscurity or darkness; dusky; dim; clouded; as, the cavern was gloomy. ...
/g/gloomy.htm - 9k

Dim (22 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Not bright or distinct; wanting luminousness or clearness; obscure
in luster or sound; dusky; darkish; obscure; indistinct; overcast; tarnished. ...
/d/dim.htm - 13k

Darkish (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Somewhat dark; dusky. Multi-Version Concordance
Darkish (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 13:39 Then the priest ...
/d/darkish.htm - 6k

Pale (16 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) Wanting in color; not ruddy; dusky white;
pallid; wan; as, a pale face; a pale red; a pale blue. ...
/p/pale.htm - 12k

Porpoise (14 Occurrences)
... Americana). The color is dusky or blackish above, paler beneath. They are
closely allied to the dolphins, but have a shorter snout. ...
/p/porpoise.htm - 11k

Shem (17 Occurrences)
... Though generally regarded as meaning "dusky" (compare the Assyr-Babylonian
samu-also Ham-possibly = "black," Japheth, "fair"), it is considered possible that ...
/s/shem.htm - 15k

Dusky: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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