In biblical literature, the term "overcast" is not directly mentioned; however, the concept of an overcast sky, characterized by clouds obscuring the sun, can be symbolically significant in Scripture. The imagery of clouds and overcast skies often conveys themes of divine presence, judgment, and the human experience of uncertainty or spiritual obscurity.

Divine Presence and Guidance

Clouds frequently symbolize the presence and guidance of God. In the wilderness, the Israelites experienced God's presence through a pillar of cloud by day. This cloud served as a guide and a protective covering. Exodus 13:21 states, "And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night." Here, the cloud represents God's faithful guidance and protection, even when the path ahead seems unclear or overcast.

Judgment and Revelation

Overcast skies can also symbolize divine judgment. In prophetic literature, clouds often accompany the imagery of God's judgment upon nations. For instance, in Ezekiel 30:3 , the prophet declares, "For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near—a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations." The overcast sky here signifies the impending judgment and the somber reality of God's righteous wrath against sin.

Human Experience and Spiritual Obscurity

The metaphor of an overcast sky can also reflect the human experience of spiritual obscurity or uncertainty. In times of trial or spiritual dryness, believers may feel as though they are under a cloud, unable to see the light of God's presence clearly. The psalmist expresses this sentiment in Psalm 42:11 , "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Here, the psalmist acknowledges the feeling of being spiritually overcast but encourages hope and trust in God's eventual deliverance.

Hope and Restoration

Despite the imagery of overcast skies often being associated with judgment or spiritual struggle, Scripture also offers hope for restoration and clarity. The promise of God's faithfulness assures believers that the clouds will part, and His light will shine through. In Isaiah 60:1-2 , the prophet proclaims, "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you." This passage reassures believers that even when life seems overcast, God's glory and light will ultimately prevail.

In summary, while the term "overcast" is not explicitly found in the Bible, the imagery of clouds and overcast skies serves as a powerful symbol throughout Scripture, representing God's presence, judgment, human struggle, and the hope of divine restoration.1. (v. t.) To cast or cover over; hence, to cloud; to darken.

2. (v. t.) To compute or rate too high.

3. (v. t.) To take long, loose stitches over (the raw edges of a seam) to prevent raveling.

4768. stugnazo -- to have a gloomy appearance
... lower, be sad. From the same as stugnetos; to render gloomy, ie (by implication)
glower (be overcast with clouds, or sombreness of speech) -- lower, be sad. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4768.htm - 6k

Occasion of Writing. Relative Position of Jews and Gentiles ...
... evening. By the opposing din, moreover, of some partisans of the individuals,
truth began to be overcast by a sort of cloud. It ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter i occasion of writing relative.htm

The Law of Change, or Mutation, Universal.
... Such a cloud overcast Etruria, burning down her ancient Volsinii, to teach Campania
(all the more by the ereption of her Pompeii) to look expectantly upon her ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter ii the law of change.htm

Book Two He Concentrates Here on his Sixteenth Year, a Year of ...
... the mists of passion steamed up out of the puddly concupiscence of the flesh, and
the hot imagination of puberty, and they so obscured and overcast my heart ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book two he concentrates here.htm

None Greater than John the Baptist, Yet. . .
... Christ may never tell you how greatly He loves and values you; but while you lie
there in your prison, with sad and overcast heart, He is saying and thinking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xii none greater than john.htm

On the Trinity. Book i. When I was Seeking an Employment Adequate ...
... given life only to end in death; for none can believe that the Giver of good has
bestowed the pleasant sense of life in order that it may be overcast by the ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/on the trinity book i.htm

Darkness Before the Dawn
... days are not always equally bright. Some days are bright with a clear
sunshine, other days may be overcast. So the child of God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/darkness before the dawn.htm

The Believer's Challenge
... faith has to endure, that God has been pleased to lay down four strong consolations,
with which we may fortify our hearts whenever the sky is overcast, or the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the believers challenge.htm

Use what You Have.
... meetings. She seemed to have one special gift. She could sew. She could do
plain sewing and overcast, cross-stitch and hem-stitch. I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/use what you have.htm

Christian Contentment.
... Cease to sigh, faith's virtue prove, By thy clear and joyous glance! While
thy sky is overcast By affliction, hold it fast! And ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/christian contentment.htm

Discipline
... Earthly cares and earthly toil. But the clouds are seen ascending; Soon
the heavens are overcast; And the weary heart is bending. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/discipline.htm

Overcast (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Overcast (1 Occurrence). Matthew 16:3 In the
morning,'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! ...
/o/overcast.htm - 7k

Overcharge (1 Occurrence)

/o/overcharge.htm - 7k

Whip (7 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To overlay (a cord, rope, or the like) with other cords going round and
round it; to overcast, as the edge of a seam; to wrap; -- often with about ...
/w/whip.htm - 11k

Fair (147 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl.) Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; favorable; --
said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.; as, a fair sky; a fair day. ...
/f/fair.htm - 40k

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

Dull (16 Occurrences)
... uninteresting; tedious; cheerless; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; as, a dull story
or sermon; a dull occupation or period; hence, cloudy; overcast; as, a dull ...
/d/dull.htm - 12k

Cloudy (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Overcast or obscured with clouds; clouded;
as, a cloudy sky. 2. (n.) Consisting of a cloud or clouds. ...
/c/cloudy.htm - 8k

Cloud (119 Occurrences)
... 45). Fog is almost unknown and there is very seldom an overcast, gloomy
day. The west and southwest winds bring rain (Luke 12:54). ...
/c/cloud.htm - 51k

Overcame (84 Occurrences)

/o/overcame.htm - 32k

Joel (22 Occurrences)
... Again we see the sky overcast and sun and moon darkened before the great and terrible
day of the Lord, as if the prophet had said: There shall be greater ...
/j/joel.htm - 49k

Overcast: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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