2 Samuel 22:12
2 Samuel 22:12 in Multiple Translations
He made darkness a canopy around Him, a gathering of water and thick clouds.
And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
And he made darkness pavilions round about him, Gathering of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
And he made the dark his tent round him, a mass of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
He hid himself in darkness, covering himself with black rainclouds.
And hee made darkenesse a Tabernacle round about him, euen the gatherings of waters, and the cloudes of the ayre.
And He setteth darkness Round about Him — tabernacles, Darkness of waters — thick clouds of the skies.
He made darkness a shelter around himself, gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
And he made darkness pavilions around him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
He made darkness a covering round about him: dropping waters out of the clouds of the heavens.
The darkness surrounded you, like a blanket; thick clouds that were full of water also surrounded you.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 22:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Samuel 22:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּ֥שֶׁת
חֹ֛שֶׁךְ
סְבִיבֹתָ֖י/ו
סֻכּ֑וֹת
חַֽשְׁרַת
מַ֖יִם
עָבֵ֥י
שְׁחָקִֽים
וַ/יָּ֥שֶׁת
shîyth
H7896
to set
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
חֹ֛שֶׁךְ
chôshek
H2822
darkness
N-ms
סְבִיבֹתָ֖י/ו
çâbîyb
H5439
around
N-cp | Suff
סֻכּ֑וֹת
çukkâh
H5521
booth
N-fp
חַֽשְׁרַת
chashrâh
H2841
collection
N-fs
מַ֖יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
N-mp
עָבֵ֥י
ʻâb
H5645
cloud
N-cp
שְׁחָקִֽים
shachaq
H7834
cloud
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 22:12
וַ/יָּ֥שֶׁת
shîyth
H7896
"to set"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to place or set something, and it's used in many different ways, like appointing someone to a job or setting your mind to do something. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to lay hands on someone or make something happen.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, lay (hand upon) 1a2) to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to 1a3) to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform 1a4) to take one's stand 1a5) to lay waste 1b) (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, [idiom] look, make, mark, put (on), [phrase] regard, set, shew, be stayed, [idiom] take. See also: Genesis 3:15; Psalms 21:7; Psalms 3:7.
חֹ֛שֶׁךְ
chôshek
H2822
"darkness"
N-ms
This word refers to darkness, both physical and spiritual. It can also mean misery, destruction, or wickedness. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a state of being without light or hope.
Definition: 1) darkness, obscurity 1a) darkness 1b) secret place
Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: dark(-ness), night, obscurity. See also: Genesis 1:2; Psalms 35:6; Psalms 18:12.
סְבִיבֹתָ֖י/ו
çâbîyb
H5439
"around"
N-cp | Suff
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.
סֻכּ֑וֹת
çukkâh
H5521
"booth"
N-fp
This word describes a small, temporary shelter or booth. It is used to describe a thicket or covert, as seen in the KJV translations. In the Bible, it is used to describe the tabernacles or tents of the Israelites.
Definition: 1) thicket, covert, booth 1a) thicket 1b) booth (rude or temporary shelter)
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: booth, cottage, covert, pavilion, tabernacle, tent. See also: Genesis 33:17; Nehemiah 8:15; Psalms 18:12.
חַֽשְׁרַת
chashrâh
H2841
"collection"
N-fs
Refers to a collection or gathering, like a mass of water or dark clouds, as seen in the KJV translation of 'dark'.
Definition: collection, mass, an accumulation of water
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: dark. See also: 2 Samuel 22:12.
מַ֖יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
עָבֵ֥י
ʻâb
H5645
"cloud"
N-cp
In the Bible, this word means a dark cloud or a thicket, often used to describe a place of refuge or a sign of God's presence, as seen in 2 Chronicles 4:17. It can also refer to a cloudy or thick atmosphere. The word is used to describe natural phenomena and is found in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) darkness, cloud, thicket 1a) dark cloud 1b) cloud mass 1c) thicket (as refuge)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: clay, (thick) cloud, [idiom] thick, thicket. Compare H5672 (עֲבִי). See also: Exodus 19:9; Psalms 18:13; Psalms 18:12.
שְׁחָקִֽים
shachaq
H7834
"cloud"
N-mp
This noun refers to a cloud or a thin vapor in the sky, as in Psalm 36:5 where God's faithfulness reaches to the clouds. It can also mean the firmament or heaven, like in Genesis 1:20 where birds fly across the sky. The word appears about 20 times in the Bible.
Definition: 1) dust, cloud 1a) fine dust 1b) (thin) cloud
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: cloud, small dust, heaven, sky. See also: Deuteronomy 33:26; Psalms 68:35; Psalms 18:12.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 22:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 22:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 22:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 22:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 22:12
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 22:12
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 22:12
- Sermons on 2 Samuel 22:12
Context — David’s Song of Deliverance
10He parted the heavens and came down with dark clouds beneath His feet.
11He mounted a cherub and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind.
12He made darkness a canopy around Him, a gathering of water and thick clouds.
13From the brightness of His presence coals of fire blazed forth. 14The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 97:2 | Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 22:10 | He parted the heavens and came down with dark clouds beneath His feet. |
| 3 | Job 36:29 | Furthermore, who can understand how the clouds spread out, how the thunder roars from His pavilion? |
| 4 | Psalms 27:5 | For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock. |
| 5 | Psalms 18:11–12 | He made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him. From the brightness of His presence His clouds advanced— hailstones and coals of fire. |
2 Samuel 22:12 Summary
[This verse, 2 Samuel 22:12, describes God surrounding Himself with darkness, emphasizing His power and majesty. It's a reminder that God is in control, even when things seem uncertain or scary, as seen in Psalm 97:2. Just like a parent might use a canopy to shield their child from the sun, God uses darkness to shield Himself and His people from harm. This image can bring us comfort and peace, knowing that God is always with us, even in the darkest times (Psalm 23:4).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God made darkness a canopy around Him?
This verse suggests that God surrounds Himself with a protective covering of darkness, emphasizing His power and majesty, as seen in Psalm 97:2 where it says, 'Clouds and thick darkness surround Him'.
Is this verse describing a literal or figurative scene?
While the scene described in 2 Samuel 22:12 is poetic, it is based on real events and emphasizes God's control over nature, similar to what is described in Exodus 19:16-19 where God descends on Mount Sinai in a cloud of darkness and fire.
How does this verse relate to God's presence in our lives?
This verse reminds us that God's presence can be both powerful and comforting, as seen in Psalm 23:4 where it says, 'Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me'.
What does the 'gathering of water and thick clouds' represent?
The gathering of water and thick clouds represents God's control over the natural world, as seen in Job 38:22-23 where God speaks of storing up the waters of the sea and sending the rain, demonstrating His power and authority over creation.
Reflection Questions
- What does the image of darkness as a canopy around God evoke in your heart and mind?
- How does the idea of God's power and majesty impact your understanding of His love and care for you?
- In what ways can you apply the concept of God's presence being both powerful and comforting to your daily life?
- How does this verse encourage you to trust in God's sovereignty and control over the world around you?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 22:12
And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, [and] thick clouds of the skies. [See comments on Psalms 18:11].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 22:12
And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies. He made darkness pavilions round about him , [ cukowt (H5521)] - booths; used here for a tabernacle of God (cf. Job 36:29; Psalms 97:2).
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 22:12
(12) Made darkness pavilions.—Psalms 18, more fully, “He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters.” A word appears to have dropped out here, and in the second clause the margin, “binding (or gathering) of waters” is a more exact translation, the word differing in one letter from that used in the psalm.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 22:12
12. More fully in Psalms 18:11 : “He made darkness his secret place, his pavilion round about him; even darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.” The darkness of the clouds is the tent in which God shrouds His Majesty. dark waters] So Psalms 18:11; but the word here, which is most probably the original reading, means the gathering of waters.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 22:12
12. Darkness… waters… clouds — All these constitute his dwelling, tent, or pavilion, when he moves forth in the dispensations of his providence. His judgments are a great deep, and founded in reasons oft hid from the minds of men.
Sermons on 2 Samuel 22:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Attributes of God (Series 1): The Justice of God by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of a judge being caught between mercy and justice. He uses the example of a man torn between his love for a woman and his sense o |
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Attributes of God #4 "God's Justice" by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the essential nature of God's justice, asserting that it is not merely an attribute but the very essence of God Himself. He explains that God's justice is per |
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Darkness That Brings True Light by Oswald Chambers | Oswald Chambers preaches about the importance of heeding God's messages in times of darkness and sharing them in the light, emphasizing the valuable lessons learned during challeng |
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The First Adam and Last Adam by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of the contrast between the first Adam and the last Adam, Jesus Christ, in God's redemptive plan. He explains that while the first Adam |
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He Will Be Seen by Frederick W. Robertson | Frederick W. Robertson preaches about the importance of trusting in the Lord even when faced with darkness and challenges. Just like the sun is still shining behind the clouds, God |
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Treasures in the Darkness by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about the significance of embracing the darkness and trials in life, emphasizing that God's hidden secrets are often revealed in the midst of challenges. |
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The Priority of the Kingdom by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God's sovereign rule in our lives, as articulated in Matthew 6:33. He explains that seeking the Kingdom of God and His ri |