Ecclesiastes 12:2 — Word Study
WLCעַ֠ד אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־ תֶחְשַׁ֤ךְ הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ וְהָא֔וֹר וְהַיָּרֵ֖חַ וְהַכּוֹכָבִ֑ים וְשָׁ֥בוּ הֶעָבִ֖ים אַחַ֥ר הַגָּֽשֶׁם׃
BSAbeforeʻad the lightʼôwr [natural and spiritual illumination] of the sunshemesh [the sun; the east or the west] moonyârêach and starskôwkâb [celestial bodies and spiritual leaders] is darkenedchâshak▸ [to become obscure, hidden] and the cloudsʻâb [thick, providing refuge] returnshûwb [to come back, reverse direction] afterʼachar [following, in the rear of] the raingeshem [a refreshing downpour, spiritual revitalization]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עַ֠ד | until | Preposition |
| אֲשֶׁ֨ר | that | Particle |
| לֹֽא־ | not | Particle |
| תֶחְשַׁ֤ךְ | it will become dark | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ | the sun | Particle, noun common both singular absolute |
| וְהָא֔וֹר | and the light | Conjunction, particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וְהַיָּרֵ֖חַ | and the moon | Conjunction, particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְהַכּוֹכָבִ֑ים | and the stars | Conjunction, particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| וְשָׁ֥בוּ | and they will return | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect third person common plural |
| הֶעָבִ֖ים | the clouds | Particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| אַחַ֥ר | after | Prep |
| הַגָּֽשֶׁם׃ | the rain | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain, |
| KJV | While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: |
| ASV | before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain; |
| YLT | While that the sun is not darkened, and the light, And the moon, and the stars, And the thick clouds returned after the rain. |
| WEB | Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain; |
| BBE | While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, are not dark, and the clouds come not back after the rain; |
Where they part company is תֶחְשַׁךְ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence structure emphasizes the transition from light to dark, with the main clause setting the stage for the subsequent imagery.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbחָשַׁךְ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Ecclesiastes 12:2
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Reflections on Aging and Life's Transiencegenerated
Ecclesiastes 12:2 is part of a passage that advises remembering the Creator during youth, before the inevitable decline of age sets in. The author uses vivid imagery of light and darkness to illustrate the fading of vitality and clarity that comes with time. This theme resonates throughout the book, emphasizing the importance of recognizing life's fleeting moments and the need for spiritual awareness.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecclesiastes 11:7–8 | Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. |
| 2 | Genesis 27:1 | When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” Esau replied. |
| 3 | Genesis 48:10 | Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 3:2 | And at that time Eli, whose eyesight had grown so dim that he could not see, was lying in his room. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 4:15–18 | Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed because he could not see. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תֶחְשַׁךְ, tech.Shakhgenerated
The verb תֶחְשַׁךְ (tech.Shakh) is in the imperfect tense, indicating an action that will occur in the future. It means 'to become dark' or 'to darken,' suggesting a transition from light to darkness, both physically and metaphorically. This word captures the essence of loss, whether it be the loss of daylight or the loss of understanding and insight as one ages.
In this context, it serves as a warning that the light of the sun, moon, and stars will be obscured, urging the reader to take action before this inevitable decline. The imagery evokes a sense of urgency to cherish and utilize one's time wisely.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse centers around two main verbs: תֶחְשַׁךְ (it will become dark) and שָׁבוּ (and they will return). The first verb introduces the idea of darkness, while the second indicates a return, suggesting a cyclical nature to the imagery presented.
The arrangement of the Hebrew words emphasizes the progression from light to dark, with the verbs positioned prominently to highlight the impending change. The use of conjunctions connects the celestial bodies and their fate, weaving a cohesive warning about the passage of time.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, תֶחְשַׁךְ is rendered as σκοτισθῆ (to be darkened), which carries a similar meaning, emphasizing the transition to darkness. This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew, maintaining the theme of obscurity.
The use of σκοτισθῆ also suggests a broader interpretation, linking the physical darkness to spiritual blindness, which is a recurring theme in biblical literature.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ecclesiastes 12:2 warns that before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, we should remember our Creator. This verse uses imagery of darkness to illustrate the decline that comes with age, urging us to reflect on our lives and the importance of spiritual awareness before it is too late.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This phrase suggests a time of loss or decline, both physically and spiritually, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and valuing life before it fades.
The verse serves as a reminder to remember one's Creator during youth, highlighting that as one ages, clarity and vitality diminish, making it crucial to act while one is still able.
Light often symbolizes knowledge and life, while darkness represents ignorance and death. This contrast underscores the urgency of spiritual awareness.
Remembering the Creator fosters a relationship with God and encourages individuals to live meaningfully, especially before the inevitable challenges of aging.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I cultivate spiritual awareness in my daily life?
- How can I apply the urgency of this verse to my current life situation?
- What steps can I take to ensure I am living in alignment with my values and beliefs?
- How does the imagery of light and darkness resonate with my personal experiences?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early interpretations of this verse highlight its reflections on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of remembering God before decline sets in.
"While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain. "If we take this from the creation of the world, this chapter agrees with the words of the Lord, in which He says,Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 12 →
Before the sun: That is, before old age: the effects of which upon all the senses and faculties are described in the following verses, under a variety of figures.Early Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 12 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ecclesiastes 12:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWhile the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened,.... The wise man proceeds to describe the infirmities of old age, and the troubles that attend it; in order to engage young
Read John Gill on Ecclesiastes 12 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWhile the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: Be not darkened - i:e., before they be so.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ecclesiastes 12 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhile the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars be not darkened, Heb. While the sun, and the light, and the moon, &c. That clause, and the light, seems to be added to signify that he speaks of the darkening of the sun, and moon, and stars, not in themselves, or in their own bodies, but only in respect of that light which they afford to men. And therefore the same clause which is expressed after the sun, is to be understood after the moon and stars, as is very usual in Scripture in like cases. And those expressions are to be understood either, 1. Literally, of the dim-sightedness of old men, by reason whereof the light of the sun, &c. seems dark to them; which seems not to agree with…
Read Matthew Poole on Ecclesiastes 12 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEcclesiastes 12:2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:Ver. 2. While the sun, or the light, or the moon, &c., ] i.e., While greater and lesser comforts fail not; or before the sight of thine eyes grow dim, and as unfit to let in light as an old dusty window. The air to aged eyes seemeth dusty and misty, and the sun wadeth as the moon in a foggy evening, and the stars are out of sight; they "see through a glass darkly," as the apostle speaks in another case, they can know no kin without spectacles; the defluxion of rheum, which trickleth down the nose and cheeks, being as it were the rain, the gathering of new matter…
Read John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 12 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2) Here the style rises, and we have a figurative description of the “evil days;” but, as sometimes happens in the case of highly wrought poetry, it is much easier to perceive the general effect intended than to account for all the words which produce it. English readers generally have been deeply impressed by Ecclesiastes 12:6-7, in a general way understanding them as speaking of the dissolution of the noble structure of the bodily frame; and they scarcely gain anything by the efforts of commentators to explain to them what exactly is meant by the “silver cord” and the “golden bowl.” After using all the help my predecessors have given me, I frankly own myself unable to give more than a…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ecclesiastes 12 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened] i.e., in the SPRING, prime, and prosperity of life. Nor the clouds return] The infirmities of old age of which WINTER is a proper emblem, as spring is of youth, in the former clause of this verse.
Read AdamClarke on Ecclesiastes 12 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. while the sun, or the light] The imagery falls in naturally with the thought that the approach of death is represented by the gathering of a tempest. It does not follow, however, that this excludes the thought of a latent symbolism in detail as well as in the general idea. The thought that man was as a microcosm, and that each element in the universe had its analogue in his nature, was a familiar one to the Greek and Oriental mind, and was susceptible of many applications. So, to take an instance belonging to a different age or country, we find an Eastern poet thus writing, circ. a. d. 1339, “Of all that finds its being in the worldMan in himself the symbol true may find.His body is as…
Read Cambridge on Ecclesiastes 12 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWhile ... not - Or, Before. The darkening of the lights of heaven denotes a time of affliction and sadness. Compare Ezekiel 32:7-8; Job 3:9; Isaiah 5:30. Contrast this representation of old age with 2 Samuel 23:4-5.
Read Albert Barnes on Ecclesiastes 12 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain,
Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;
before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain,
before the sun and the light of the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds disappear after the rain;
Tyndale line
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;
or ever the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, be darkened, and the clouds return after the rain:
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, are not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
Whiles the sunne is not darke, nor ye light, nor the moone, nor the starres, nor the cloudes returne after the raine:
Strictly literal
before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, be darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;
While that the sun is not darkened, and the light, And the moon, and the stars, And the thick clouds returned after the rain.
While that the sun is not darkened, and the light, || And the moon, and the stars, || And the thick clouds returned after the rain.
While the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, are not yet darkened, and the clouds return not again after the rain;
do this before the light of the sun and the moon and the stars grows dark, and dark clouds return after the rain.
From the Latin
Before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars be darkened, and the clouds return after the rain:
Simplified
Before the light fades—sun, moon, and stars—and rain clouds return to darken the skies.
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, are not dark, and the clouds come not back after the rain;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Ecclesiastes 12:2 states, 'until the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain.' The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in terms of the fundamental meaning and key terms, matching 12 of the 12 words in a word-by-word correspondence, although the order and structure may differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. There are no significant differences in meaning between these two witnesses for this verse.
עַ֠ד אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־ תֶחְשַׁ֤ךְ הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ וְהָא֔וֹר וְהַיָּרֵ֖חַ וְהַכּוֹכָבִ֑ים וְשָׁ֥בוּ הֶעָבִ֖ים אַחַ֥ר הַגָּֽשֶׁם׃
12 of the 12 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Ecclesiastes 12:2
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while
prep.
of space
Of time
Of degree
conj.
until
While
Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)
עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus
of space
Of time
Of degree
base
H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space
. Of time
. Of degree
. conj. . until
. While
. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)
. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space
. Of time
. Of degree
5704 `ad ad
properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or
conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,
or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,
while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,
at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),
(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,
till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.
see HEBREW for 05703
עַד (ad) — till.
prep
1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as
1a) of space
1a1) as far as, up to, even to
1b) in combination
1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)
1c) of time
1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end
1d) of degree
1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like
conj
2) until, while, to the point that, so that even
Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Prep — PrepositionHR
The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
base
בַאֲשֶׁר
in (that) which
adv. in (the place) where
conj. in that, inasmuch as
on account of whom?
base
מֵאֲשֶׁר
from (or than) that which
adv. from (the place) where
conj. from (the fact) that …, since
base
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
according to that which, according as, as
with a causal force, in so far as, since
with a temporal force, when
base
H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which
. adv. in (the place) where
. conj. in that, inasmuch as
. on account of whom?
H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which
. adv. from (the place) where
. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as
. with a causal force, in so far as, since
. with a temporal force, when
834 'aher ash-er'
a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)
when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X
alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +
from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,
wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where
(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +
whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is
indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun
expletively, used to show the connection.
אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.
A: 1) (relative part.)
1a) which, who
1b) that which
2) (conj)
2a) that (in obj clause)
2b) when
2c) since
2d) as
2e) conditional if
B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
D: Kaph+
1) (conj.), according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since
1c) with a temporal force: when
בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.
1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.
1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.
conj
1) according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
HTr — ParticleHTr
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
HTn — ParticleHTn
חָשַׁךְ (chashak) is a primitive root meaning to be or become dark. It encompasses various nuances such as growing dim, hiding, or obscuring, and can be used transitively to indicate causing darkness. The entries suggest a range of meanings from physical darkness to metaphorical obscurity.
חָשַׁךְ be, grow dark
base
H2821 חָשַׁךְ be, grow dark
2821 chashak khaw-shak'
a primitive root; to be dark (as withholding light);
transitively, to darken:--be black, be (make) dark, darken,
cause darkness, be dim, hide.
חָשַׁךְ (cha.shakh) — to darken.
1) to be or become dark, grow dim, be darkened, be black, be hidden
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be or grow dark
1a2) to have a dark colour
1a3) to grow dim
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to make dark, cause to be dark
1b2) to hide, conceal
1b3) to obscure, confuse (fig.)
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singularHVqi3fs
שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ (shemesh) means 'sun' and is derived from a root meaning 'to be brilliant.' It encompasses various meanings, including directions like east and west, and can refer to the sun as an object of worship. Additionally, it can denote shining pinnacles or battlements.
שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ 133 n.f. et m. sun
sun
of direction: toward sun-rise, = East
obj. of worship
other phr.
pinnacle, as glittering, shining
base
H8121 שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ sun
8121 shemesh sheh'-mesh
from an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by
implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (arch.) a
notched battlement:--+ east side(-ward), sun ((rising)), +
west(-ward), window. See also 1053.
see HEBREW for 01053
שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ (she.mesh) — sun.
1) sun
1a) sun
1b) sunrise, sun-rising, east, sun-setting, west (of direction)
1c) sun (as object of illicit worship)
1d) openly, publicly (in other phrases)
1e) pinnacles, battlements, shields (as glittering or shining)
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common both singular absoluteHTd/Ncbsa
Sun
(Heb. shemesh), first mentioned along with the moon as the two great luminaries of heaven (Gen. 1:14-18). By their motions and influence they were intended to mark and divide times and seasons. The worship of the sun was one of the oldest forms of false religion (Job 31:26,27), and was common among the Egyptians and Chaldeans and other pagan nations. The Jews were warned against this form of idolatry (Deut. 4:19; 17:3; comp. 2 Kings 23:11; Jer. 19:13).
In the history of "greater light," of the creation the sun is described as "greater light," in contradistinction to the moon, the "lesser light," in conjunction with which it was to serve "for signs and for seasons, and for days, and for years," while its special office was "to rule the day." (Genesis 1:14-16) The "signs" referred to were probably such extraordinary phenomena as eclipses, which were regarded as conveying premonitions of coming events. (Jeremiah 10:2; Matthew 24:29) with Luke 21:25 The joint influence assigned to the sun and moon in deciding the "seasons," both for agricultural operations and for religious festivals, and also in regulating the length and…
→ Created Ge 1:14-18; Ps 74:16; 136:7; Jer 31:35
→ Rising and setting of Ec 1:5
→ Diurnal motion of Ps 19:4,6
→ Worship of, forbidden De 4:19; 17:3
→ Worshiped Job 31:26-28; Jer 8:2; Eze 6:4,6; 8:16
→ Kings of Judah dedicate horses to 2Ki 23:11
→ Miracles concerning
אוֹר (or) means 'light' and encompasses various forms of illumination, including daylight, dawn, and the light of heavenly bodies like the sun and stars. It can also refer to metaphorical concepts such as the light of life, prosperity, and instruction, as well as Yahweh as a source of light.
אוֹר 121 n.m. light
light as diffused in nature, light of day
morning light, dawn
light of the heavenly luminaries
daylight
lightning
light of lamp
light of life
light of prosperity
light of instruction
light of face
Yahweh
base
H216 אוֹר light . light as diffused in nature, light of day
. morning light, dawn
. light of the heavenly luminaries
. daylight
. lightning
. light of lamp
. light of life
. light of prosperity
. light of instruction
. light of face
. Yahweh
216 'owr ore
from 215; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every
sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.):--bright, clear,
+ day, light (-ning), morning, sun.
see HEBREW for 0215
אוֹר (or) — light.
1) light
1a) light of day
1b) light of heavenly luminaries (moon, sun, stars)
1c) day-break, dawn, morning light
1d) daylight
1e) lightning
1f) light of lamp
1g) light of life
1h) light of prosperity
1i) light of instruction
1j) light of face (fig.)
1k) Jehovah as Israel's light
Conj | Art | N-cs — Conjunction · particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/Td/Ncfsa
lit ('or, ma'or; phos; many other words):
1. Origin of Light
2. A Comprehensive Term
(1) Natural Light
(2) Artificial Light
(3) Miraculous Light
(4) Mental, Moral, Spiritual Light
3. An Attribute of Holiness
(1) God
(2) Christ
(3) Christians
(4) The Church
4. Symbolism
5. Expressive Terms
1. Origin of Light:
The creation of light was the initial step in the creation of life. "Let there be light" (Ge 1:3) was the first word of God spoken after His creative Spirit "moved" upon the primary material out of which He created the heavens and the earth, and which lay, until the utterance of that word, in the chaos of darkness and desolation. Something akin, possibly, to the all-pervasive electro-magnetic activity of the aurora borealis penetrated the chaotic night of the world. The ultimate focusing of light (on the 4th day of creation,
Light
The offspring of the divine command (Gen. 1:3). “All the more joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations of the frame, all the happy hours of domestic intercourse were habitually described among the Hebrews under imagery derived from light” (1 Kings 11:36; Isa. 58:8; Esther 8:16; Ps. 97:11). Light came also naturally to typify true religion and the felicity it imparts (Ps. 119:105; Isa. 8:20; Matt. 4:16, etc.), and the glorious inheritance…
One of the most wonderful, cheering, and useful of all the works of God; called into being on the first of the six days of creation, by his voice: "Let there be light;" and there was light. No object better illustrates whatever is pure, glorious, spiritual, joyful, and beneficent. Hence the beauty and force of the expressions, "God is light," 1Jo 1:5, and "the Father of lights," Jas 1:17; Christ is the "Sun of righteousness," and "the light of the world," Joh 1:9 8:12. So also the word of God is "a light," Ps 119:105; truth and Christians are lights, Joh 3:19 12:36; prosperity is "light," Es 8:16; and heaven is full of…
יָרֵחַ (yareach) means 'moon,' particularly in a poetic context. It is derived from a root related to another word, but the entries do not elaborate on its usage in specific verses.
יָרֵחַ n.m. moon, esp. poet.
base
H3394 יָרֵחַ moon, esp. poet.
3394 yareach yaw-ray'-akh
from the same as 3391; the moon:--moon. Yrechow. See
3405.
see HEBREW for 03391
see HEBREW for 03405
יָרֵחַ (ya.re.ach) — moon.
moon
Conj | Art | N-ms — Conjunction · particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Td/Ncmsa
moon (yareach; meaning obscure--probably "wanderer"; by some given as "paleness"; selene): The moon was very early worshipped by the nations of the Far East as a divinity or the representative of one or more deities. These deities were both masculine and feminine. In Assyria and Babylonia the most common name for the moon-god was Sin or Sen. In Babylonia he was also called Aku and Nannara. In Egypt the moon was representative of several deities, all masculine. The chief of these was Thoth the god of knowledge, so called because the moon was the measurer of time. Babylonia has, also, Aa, the goddess of the moon, as the consort of the sun, while her equivalent was known in Phoenicia as Ashtaroth-karnaim. This personification and worship of the moon among the nations who were neighbors to Palestine was but part of an elaborate Nature-worship found among these people. Nor was this worship…
Moon
Heb. yareah, from its paleness (Ezra 6:15), and lebanah, the “white” (Cant. 6:10; Isa. 24:23), was appointed by the Creator to be with the sun “for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years” (Gen. 1:14-16). A lunation was among the Jews the period of a month, and several of their festivals were held on the day of the new moon. It is frequently referred to along with the sun (Josh. 10:12; Ps. 72:5, 7, 17; 89:36, 37; Eccl. 12:2; Isa. 24:23, etc.), and…
The moon held an important place in the kingdom of nature, as known to the Hebrews. Conjointly with the sun, it was appointed "for signs and for seasons, and for days and years;" though in this respect it exercised a more important influence, if by the "seasons" we understand the great religious festivals of the Jews, as is particularly stated in (Psalms 104:19) and more at length in Ecclus 43:6,7. The worship of the moon prevailed extensively among the nations of the East, and under a variety of aspects. It was one of the only two deities which commanded the reverence of all the Egyptians. The worship of the heavenly bodies is referred to in (Job 31:26,27) and Moses directly warns the Jews against it. (4:19) In the figurative language of Scripture, the moon is frequently…
This beautiful and stately ruler of the night, Ge 1:16, is one of the chief witnesses to mankind of the goodness, wisdom, and power of the Creator, Ps 8:3; and as receiving all its light from the sun, and reflecting it on all around, it is a striking image of the church of Christ. In the clear sky of the East, the moon shines with peculiar brilliancy; and it was worshipped by most nations of antiquity, either directly, or as an idol-goddess under the name of Ashtoreth, Artemis, Diana, Hecate, Meni, Mylitta, Maja, etc. The Hebrews were specially cautioned against this form of idolatry, De 4:19 17:3; and yet fell into it; 2Ki 21:3
כּוֹכָב (kowkab) means 'star' and is likely derived from a root related to rolling or blazing. It can refer to a literal star or figuratively to a prince or significant figure, including associations with the Messiah and God's omniscience.
כּוֹכָב n.m. star
base
H3556 כּוֹכָב star
3556 kowkab ko-kawb'
probably from the same as 3522 (in the sense of rolling) or
3554 (in the sense of blazing); a star (as round or as
shining); figuratively, a prince:--star((-gazer)).
see HEBREW for 03522
see HEBREW for 03554
כּוֹכָב (ko.khav) — star.
1) star
1a) of Messiah, brothers, youth, numerous progeny, personification, God's omniscience (fig.)
Conj | Art | N-mp — Conjunction · particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHC/Td/Ncmpa
Stars
The eleven stars (Gen. 37:9); the seven (Amos 5:8); wandering (Jude 1:13); seen in the east at the birth of Christ, probably some luminous meteors miraculously formed for this specific purpose (Matt. 2:2-10); stars worshipped (Deut. 4:19; 2 Kings 17:16; 21:3; Jer. 19:13); spoken of symbolically (Num. 24:17; Rev. 1:16, 20; 12:1). (See ASTROLOGERS.)
The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.
שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return
Qal 683;—turn back, return:
turn back
return, come or go back
esp. return unto
of dying
of revival from death
fig. of human relations:
return to leader, king
= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
turn, i.e. resort to
return to a physical condition
abs. = change course of action
fig., specif. of spiritual relations:
turn back from God = apostatize
of י׳, turn away
turn back to God (= seek penitently)
abs. repent
turn back from evil
of י׳
of י׳, return (to shew favour)
of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
denoting repetition, etc.
trans.
Pō‛l.
bring back
fig. restore, refresh
restore, repair
lead away (enticingly)
shew turning = apostatize
Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back
bring back into bondage
put back
= draw back
= give back, restore
= relinguish
= give in payment, requital
bring one back (from dead)
bring back heart
= refresh
H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back
. return, come or go back
. esp. return unto
. . of dying
. of revival from death
. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king
. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
. turn, i.e. resort to
. return to a physical condition
. abs. = change course of action
. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize
. of י׳, turn away
. turn back to God (= seek penitently)
. abs. repent
. turn back from evil
. of י׳
. of י׳, return (to shew favour)
. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
. denoting repetition, etc.
. trans.
. . bring back
. . fig. restore, refresh
. restore, repair
. lead away (enticingly)
. shew turning = apostatize
. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage
. put back
. = draw back
. = give back, restore
. = relinguish
. = give in payment, requital
7725 shuwb shoob
a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or
intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily
with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to
retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,
dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,
make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer
(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring
(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),
cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +
continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,
fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give
(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)
more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put
(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,
relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,
שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.
: return
1) to return, turn back
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to turn back, return
1a1a) to turn back
1a1b) to return, come or go back
1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back
1a1d) of dying
1a1e) of human relations (fig)
1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)
1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise
1a1f2) to turn away (of God)
1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent
1a1f4) turn back (from evil)
1a1g) of inanimate things
1a1h) in repetition
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to bring back
1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)
1b3) to lead away (enticingly)
1b4) to show turning, apostatise
1c) (Pual) restored (participle)
1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back
1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment
1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore
1d3) to bring back, report to, answer
1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)
Conj | V-Qal-3cp — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person common pluralHc/Vqq3cp
עָב (‘ab) refers to a dark cloud or cloud mass, and can also mean a thicket. The word is derived from a root meaning to envelop or cover, suggesting density or darkness. It appears in contexts related to clouds and thick vegetation, as noted in 2 Chronicles 4:17.
עָב 53 n.m. dark cloud, cloud-mass, thicket
base
H5645 עָב dark cloud, cloud-mass, thicket
5645 `ab awb
(masculine and feminine); from 5743; properly, an envelope,
i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chron. 4:17); specifically, a
(scud) cloud; also a copse:--clay, (thick) cloud, X thick,
thicket. Compare 5672.
see HEBREW for 05743
see HEBREW for 05672
עָב (av) — cloud.
1) darkness, cloud, thicket
1a) dark cloud
1b) cloud mass
1c) thicket (as refuge)
Art | N-cp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHTd/Ncmpa
In the summer season of Palestine, were an unlooked-for phenomenon, 1Sa 12:17,18, and rising from off the Mediterranean, betokened rain, 1Ki 18:44 Lu 12:54. Clouds are the symbol of armies and multitudes, probably by their grand and majestic movements, Isa 60:8 Jer 4:13 Heb 12:1. They betokened the presence of Jehovah, as on mount Sinai,
Ex 19:9 24:12-18; in the temple, Ex 40:34 1Ki 8:10; in the cloudy…
The Hebrew word אַחַר (*achar*) primarily denotes the concept of 'after' or 'behind' in both spatial and temporal contexts. It functions as a substantive, adverb, preposition, and conjunction, indicating a following part or time. The related form אַחֲרַי (*acharai*) refers to a person who turns backwards. There is a reference to Proverbs 28:23 in relation to the latter.
אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part
adv.
of place, behind
of time, afterwards
prep.
of place, behind, after
of time, after
conj. after that.
H310a אַחַר prop. subst. the hinder or following part . adv. . of place, behind
. of time, afterwards
. prep. . of place, behind, after
. of time, after
. conj. after that.
H310b אַחֲרַי a man that turneth backwards.
310 'achar akh-ar'
from 309; properly, the hind part; generally used as an
adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses):--after
(that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side),
behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from,
hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute,
posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth),
when, with.
see HEBREW for 0309
אַחַר (a.char) — after.
1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time)
1a) as an adverb
1a1) behind (of place)
1a2) afterwards (of time)
1b) as a preposition
1b1) behind, after (of place)
1b2) after (of time)
1b3) besides
1c) as a conjunction
1c) after that
1d) as a substantive
1d1) hinder part
1e) with other prepositions
1e1) from behind
1e2) from following after
אַחֲרַי (a.cha.ray) — backwards.
backwards (of a man that turns backwards)
Prep — PrepHAcmsc
גֶּ֫שֶׁם (geshem) refers to rain or a shower. It is derived from a related word and is consistently defined across sources. The entries indicate its use in contexts involving precipitation.
גֶּ֫שֶׁם n.m. rain, shower
base
H1653 גֶּ֫שֶׁם rain, shower
1653 geshem gheh'-shem
from 1652; a shower:--rain, shower.
see HEBREW for 01652
גֶּ֫שֶׁם (ge.shem) — rain.
rain, shower
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
ran (maTar, Arabic (?), maTar, "rain" geshem, "heavy rain" moreh, "early rain," yoreh, "former rain," malqosh, "latter rain"; brecho, huetos):
1. Water-Supply in Egypt and Palestine:
In Egypt there is little or no rainfall, the water for vegetation being supplied in great abundance by the river Nile; but in Syria and Palestine there are no large rivers, and the people have to depend entirely on the fall of rain for water for themselves, their animals and their fields. The children of Israel when in Egypt were promised by Yahweh a land which "drinketh water of the rain of heaven" (De 11:11). Springs and fountains are found in most of the valleys, but the flow of the springs depends directly on the fall of rain or snow in the mountains.
2. Importance of Rain in Season:
Rain
There are three Hebrew words used to denote the rains of different seasons, (1.) Yoreh (Hos. 6:3), or moreh (Joel 2:23), denoting the former or the early rain. (2.) Melqosh, the “latter rain” (Prov. 16:15). (3.) Geshem, the winter rain, “the rains.” The heavy winter rain is mentioned in Gen. 7:12; Ezra 10:9; Cant. 2:11. The “early” or “former” rains commence in autumn in the latter part of October or beginning of November (Deut. 11:14; Joel 2:23; comp.
In the Bible "early rain" signifies the rain of the autumn, (11:14) and "latter rain" the rain of spring. (Proverbs 16:1,5) For six months in the year, from May to October, no rain falls, the whole land becomes dry, parched and brown. The autumnal rains are eagerly looked for, to prepare the earth for the reception of the seed. These, the early rains, commence about the latter end of October continuing through November and December. January and February are the coldest months, and snow falls, sometimes to the depth of a foot or more, at Jerusalem, but it does not lie long; it is very seldom seen along the coast and in the low plains. Rain continues to fall more or less during the month of March it is very rare in April. Robinson observes that there are not, at the present day, "any particular periods of rain or succession of showers…
In Scripture the "early" and the "latter" rain of Palestine is spoken of, De 11:14 Ho 6:3. The former falls in the latter part of October, the seed-time of Palestine; and the weather then continues variable, with more or less rain the whole winter, until after the latter or spring rain in April. Afterwards, the weather becomes serene, and the crops ripen. The wheat harvest takes place in May; by the middle of August, the fruits are gathered in; and from that time to the coming of the first or October rains, prevail the scorching heats and droughts of summer. Nothing can more expressively represent spiritual blessings than copious showers of rain after this trying season is past, De 32:2