The darkening of the sun is a significant biblical event that is often associated with divine intervention and serves as a sign of God's power and judgment. This phenomenon is recorded in several instances throughout the Scriptures, each carrying profound theological implications.

1. The Ninth Plague of Egypt
One of the most notable occurrences of the sun's darkening is during the plagues of Egypt, as described in the Book of Exodus. The ninth plague brought a tangible darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness so profound that it could be felt. This event is recorded in Exodus 10:21-23 : "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over the land of Egypt—a darkness that can be felt.' So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived." This miraculous darkening served as a direct challenge to the Egyptian sun god, Ra, demonstrating the supremacy of the God of Israel.

2. The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Another significant instance of the sun's darkening occurs during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Gospels record that darkness fell over the land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour as Jesus hung on the cross. This event is detailed in Matthew 27:45 : "From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land." This supernatural darkness is interpreted as a sign of God's judgment and the gravity of the moment, as the Son of God bore the sins of the world.

3. Prophetic References
The darkening of the sun is also mentioned in prophetic literature, often symbolizing the coming of the Day of the Lord—a time of divine judgment and cosmic upheaval. The prophet Joel speaks of such a day in Joel 2:31 : "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD." Similarly, the Book of Revelation describes a future event where the sun will be darkened as part of the apocalyptic vision, as seen in Revelation 6:12 : "And when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake. The sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red."

These instances of the sun's darkening serve as powerful reminders of God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to use natural phenomena to convey spiritual truths and execute His divine will.Exodus 10:21-23
And the LORD said to Moses, Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.
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Isaiah 5:30
And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look to the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.
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Isaiah 24:23
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
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Ezekiel 32:7
And when I shall put you out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.
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Joel 2:10,31
The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
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Joel 3:15
The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
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Amos 8:9
And it shall come to pass in that day, said the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:
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Micah 3:6
Therefore night shall be to you, that you shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark to you, that you shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
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Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
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Matthew 27:45
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land to the ninth hour.
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Mark 13:24
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
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Mark 15:33
And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
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Luke 21:25
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
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Luke 23:44,45
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
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Acts 2:20
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
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Revelation 6:12
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, see, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
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Revelation 8:12
And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
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Revelation 9:2
And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
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Revelation 16:8
And the fourth angel poured out his vial on the sun; and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.
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Israel and Britain. A Note of Warning
... the wonder, that though he did so many miracles before them ... morning star is lost
at the rising of the sun. ... which is a very painful one, CONCERNING THE NATION TO ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/israel and britain a note.htm

Acts II
... meaning of the "blood and fire, and smoky vapor," and the darkening of the sun and
moon ... The first assertion concerning him is an appeal to his miracles as a ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ii.htm

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
... ordinary ones,"just as Christ's outward miracles differ from ... Christ, the darkening
of the sun, the quaking ... viz., the uncertainty of Peter concerning the fact ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/exposition of chap iii ii.htm

The Way to the Sea
... answered to the repose of his mind concerning the welfare ... atmosphere had grown hazy
and the sun shone obscurely. ... The miracles no longer amazed him, but he had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliv the way to.htm

Difficulties and Objections
... repent because of the "mighty works" (miracles) which He ... but a proclamation, a
proclamation concerning Christ; true ... The sun shines though blind men see it not. ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eleven difficulties and objections.htm

New Teaching in Parables' - the Parables to the People by the Lake ...
... Word, and exhibited by fact (in miracles), that Kingdom ... further unfolded, in the
next Parable concerning the Tares ... one, [2852] and to the sun-like forthshining ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxiii new teaching in.htm

Life of Bunyan
... faith he would be able to work miracles; and passages ... the church of the living God;
the sun that shone ... But I say concerning this dispensation, I know not what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hamilton/life of bunyan/life of bunyan.htm

General Index.
... concerning first advent, fulfilment of, 344-348, 405, 424-429. ... Sun, darkening of,
305-308. see also Signs. ... so-called miracles in support of, 575, 576. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /general index.htm

To the Saddest of the Sad
... I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which ... The sun may yet bring thee
brighter days, days of ... the impossible; we are to be familiar with miracles. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/to the saddest of the.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... That Christ's doctrine, life, actions, miracles, death, resurrection ... is swallowed
up by the light of the sun. ... All he had was instructions concerning his duty ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Will the sun really be turned to darkness and the moon to blood (Joel 2:31)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to not let the sun go down on your anger? | GotQuestions.org

Sun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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