In biblical literature, the darkening of the sun is a significant motif often associated with divine judgment and severe calamities. This phenomenon is depicted as a cosmic disturbance that signals the intervention of God in human affairs, particularly in the context of judgment and the end times.

Old Testament References

The imagery of the sun being darkened is prevalent in the prophetic writings of the Old Testament. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet declares, "Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming—cruel, with fury and burning anger—to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners within it. For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be darkened as it rises, and the moon will not shed its light" (Isaiah 13:9-10). This passage underscores the severity of God's judgment upon the nations, using cosmic signs to illustrate the magnitude of the impending calamity.

Similarly, the prophet Joel speaks of a time when "the sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will no longer shine" (Joel 3:15). This darkening is part of the apocalyptic imagery that accompanies the Day of the LORD, a time of reckoning and divine intervention.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the darkening of the sun is prominently featured in the eschatological discourse of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus describes the signs of His coming and the end of the age: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken’" (Matthew 24:29). This passage highlights the cosmic upheaval that will precede the return of Christ, serving as a prelude to the final judgment.

The book of Revelation also employs this imagery in its apocalyptic vision. During the breaking of the sixth seal, John records, "I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red" (Revelation 6:12). This event is part of a series of cataclysmic occurrences that herald the unfolding of God's ultimate plan for the world.

Theological Significance

The darkening of the sun in biblical prophecy serves as a powerful symbol of God's sovereignty and the seriousness of His judgment. It is a reminder of the transient nature of earthly powers and the ultimate authority of the Creator over the cosmos. The imagery calls believers to repentance and faithfulness, urging them to recognize the signs of the times and to live in anticipation of the fulfillment of God's promises.

In conclusion, the darkening of the sun as depicted in Scripture is a profound expression of divine intervention during times of severe calamity. It serves as both a warning and a promise, pointing to the eventual restoration and renewal that will accompany the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Paralytic Let Down through the Roof.
... and the rocks were rent, and the sun was darkened ... is greater and the malady more
severe, being one ... how could she believe whose mind was darkened and possessed ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily on the paralytic let.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... and it was there agreed to inflict the most severe penalties on ... was on the head of
another 'emperor.' " Then the sun was suddenly darkened, as symbolized ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

Matt. xvi. 28
... But mark thou, I pray thee, the severe goodness of Matthew ... For as eyes are darkened
by an excessive splendor, so at ... as the sun, and more than the sun in that ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lvi matt xvi 28.htm

"Peace, be Still"
... Him made His labors much more severe and harassing ... shore, and the light of the rising
sun touched sea ... His words penetrated the darkened minds of the unfortunate ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 35 peace be still.htm

The Counsel of Gamaliel.
... the disciples of Jesus were subjected to severe hardships, and ... in its course, like
the sun, who sometimes eclipsed, and sometimes darkened with clouds ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vii the counsel of.htm

Genuineness of the Gospel Narratives.
... Eccl., 5.1,) and which describes a severe persecution through which they passed
in ... tribulation of those days," says Matthew, "shall the sun be darkened," etc ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter ii genuineness of the.htm

An Exhortation to Theodore after his Fall. Letter I.
... with escaping hell; but I say that a far more severe punishment than hell ... of the
heaven shall not give their light, and the sun shall be darkened in its ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/an exhortation to theodore after.htm

Natural Evil, or Suffering, and Especially the Suffering of ...
... of the glorious gospel of God upon a darkened world, should ... divine goodness," it
cannot but appear to be too severe. ... work of Christ is the great sun and centre ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter ii natural evil or.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... he would have this blessed vision of the heavenly city, or that his severe sufferings
would ... And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... That body, which being transfigured "did shine as the sun, and his raiment became
as ... the body is ofttimes the greater sufferer, in all the calamities, that for ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

How could there be light on the first day of Creation if the sun was not created until the fourth day? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that there is nothing new under the sun? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that the Shulammite had dark skin (Song of Solomon 1:6)? | GotQuestions.org

Sun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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