Original Word: עֲרָפֶל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `araphel
Pronunciation: ah-rah-fel
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-aw-fel')
Definition: gloom
Meaning: Gloom, thick darkness, or dense cloud.

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to droop or drip.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G1105: γνόφος (gnophos) • darkness, gloom
• G2366: θόλος (tholos) • a thick cloud, gloom
• G3509: νεφέλη (nephelē) • cloud
• G4655: σκότος (skotos) • darkness

These Greek terms capture similar themes of darkness and cloudiness, often used in the Septuagint and New Testament to convey spiritual or divine mysteries, aligning with the Hebrew concept of עֲרָפֶל.

Usage: The term עֲרָפֶל is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe a state of deep darkness or a thick cloud, often associated with the presence of God or a divine manifestation. It conveys a sense of mystery and awe, typically in contexts where God's majesty and power are being revealed.

Context: עֲרָפֶל (ʿărāpel) appears in several key passages in the Hebrew Bible, often in the context of divine encounters or theophanies. It is used to describe the thick darkness that surrounds God, emphasizing His transcendence and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence. For instance, in Exodus 20:21, it is written, "The people remained at a distance, as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was." This usage underscores the separation between the divine and the human, highlighting the holiness and otherness of God.

In Deuteronomy 4:11, the term is used to describe the scene at Mount Sinai: "You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the heart of the heavens: darkness, cloud, and thick darkness." Here, עֲרָפֶל is part of the dramatic imagery that conveys the overwhelming and majestic presence of God during the giving of the Law.

The term also appears in 1 Kings 8:12, where Solomon acknowledges God's dwelling in thick darkness: "Then Solomon said, 'The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick darkness.'" This reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine presence being shrouded in mystery and beyond human comprehension.

עֲרָפֶל is thus a powerful symbol of God's impenetrable and majestic presence, serving as a reminder of His sovereignty and the reverence due to Him.

Word Origin
from araph
Definition
cloud, heavy cloud
NASB Translation
deep darkness (1), gloom (1), gloomy (1), thick cloud (3), thick darkness (7), thick gloom (2).

עֲרָפֶל noun masculine cloud, heavy cloud (perhaps from above √ + ל afformative; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Syriac ; ᵑ7 עֲרָפֵילָא; Mandean ארפילא Nö^{M 126, 128}; on vocaliz. see Ba^{NB 160 and against him} Schw^{ZAW x (1890), 178} who proposes עַרְמֶּל); — ׳ע in which God dwells Exodus 20:18 (Gi; van d. H. Exodus 20:21), 1 Kings 8:12 2Chronicles 6:1; + עָנָן Deuteronomy 4:11 (also חשֶׁח), Deuteronomy 5:19; Psalm 97:2; Job 22:13 see בַּעַד; תַּחַת רַגְלָיו ׳ע 2 Samuel 22:10 = Psalm 18:10; as swaddling-bands of sea Job 38:9; figurative of misery Isaiah 60:2 ("" חשֶׁח); of ׳יs judgment Jeremiah 13:16 ("" צַלְמָוֶת), as a past day ׳יוֺם עָנָן וַע Ezekiel 34:12 = (of future day of ׳י) Zephaniah 1:15 ("" יוֺם חשֶׁח וַאֲפֵלָה) = Joel 2:2 ("" id.).

gross, thick dark cloud,

Probably from araph; gloom (as of a lowering sky) -- (gross, thick) dark (cloud, -ness).

see HEBREW araph

בָּעֲרָפֶֽל׃ בערפל׃ הָֽעֲרָפֶ֔ל הערפל וְהָֽעֲרָפֶ֔ל וַ֝עֲרָפֶ֗ל וַעֲרָפֶ֔ל וַעֲרָפֶ֖ל וַעֲרָפֶ֣ל וַעֲרָפֶֽל׃ והערפל וערפל וערפל׃ לַעֲרָפֶֽל׃ לערפל׃ עֲרָפֶ֣ל ערפל ‘ă·rā·p̄el ‘ărāp̄el araFel bā‘ărāp̄el bā·‘ă·rā·p̄el baaraFel hā‘ărāp̄el hā·‘ă·rā·p̄el haaraFel la‘ărāp̄el la·‘ă·rā·p̄el laaraFel vaaraFel vehaaraFel wa‘ărāp̄el wa·‘ă·rā·p̄el wə·hā·‘ă·rā·p̄el wəhā‘ărāp̄elInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts