Job 38:17 — Word Study
WLCהֲנִגְל֣וּ לְ֭ךָ שַׁעֲרֵי־ מָ֑וֶת וְשַׁעֲרֵ֖י צַלְמָ֣וֶת תִּרְאֶֽה׃
BSAHave the gatesshaʻar [doors, entrances] of deathmâveth [the state of being dead, eternal separation] been revealedgâlâh■ [opened, uncovered] Have you seenrâʼâh▸ [looked upon, perceived] the gatesshaʻar [doors, portals] of the shadow of deathtsalmâveth [darkness, gloom, the place of eternal darkness, the abyss]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הֲנִגְל֣וּ | ¿ have they been revealed | Particle, verb niphal perfect third person common plural |
| לְ֭ךָ | to you | Preposition, suffix |
| שַׁעֲרֵי־ | [the] gates of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| מָ֑וֶת | death | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְשַׁעֲרֵ֖י | and [the] gates of | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct |
| צַלְמָ֣וֶת | deep darkness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| תִּרְאֶֽה׃ | have you seen? | Verb, Qal, imperfect second person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? |
| KJV | Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? |
| ASV | Have the gates of death been revealed unto thee? Or hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death? |
| YLT | Revealed to thee were the gates of death? And the gates of death-shade dost thou see? |
| WEB | Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? |
| BBE | Have the doors of death been open to you, or have the door-keepers of the dark ever seen you? |
Translations agree on the meaning of הֲנִגְל֣וּ — see How Translations Differ.
Two main questions are posed, emphasizing the mystery surrounding death.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbרָאָה
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 — Job 38:17
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 — God's Challenge to Jobgenerated
Job 38:17 is part of God's response to Job, where He poses a series of questions that highlight Job's limited understanding of divine matters. This verse specifically addresses the gates of death, emphasizing the mystery surrounding mortality and the afterlife. The surrounding verses (Job 38:16-18) further explore themes of creation and the vastness of God's knowledge compared to human comprehension.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 9:13 | Be merciful to me, O LORD; see how my enemies afflict me! Lift me up from the gates of death, |
| 2 | Psalm 107:18 | They loathed all food and drew near to the gates of death. |
| 3 | Psalm 116:3 | The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow. |
| 4 | Job 3:5 | May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it; may the blackness of the day overwhelm it. |
| 5 | Job 12:22 | He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into light. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הֲנִגְל֣וּ, ha.nig.Lugenerated
The verb גָּלָה (galah) means to reveal or uncover, often implying a sense of exposure or shame. It is used here in the niphal perfect form, indicating that the gates of death have been revealed to Job, suggesting an uncovering of profound truths.
This word can also connote exile, which adds depth to the idea of death as a separation from life. The passive construction implies that this revelation is not something Job has achieved on his own; rather, it is a divine act of disclosure.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations generally agree on the meaning of הֲנִגְל֣וּ as 'have been revealed.' The BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all reflect this understanding.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main clauses, both beginning with a rhetorical question: הֲנִגְל֣וּ and תִּרְאֶֽה, which means 'have they been revealed?' and 'have you seen?' respectively. This structure emphasizes the questioning nature of God's address to Job.
The first clause focuses on the gates of death, while the second clause shifts to the gates of the shadow of death, creating a parallel that highlights the themes of revelation and perception.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הֲנִגְל֣וּ with δέ (de), which serves as a conjunction rather than a direct translation. This choice may indicate a broader interpretation of the text, emphasizing the relationship between the questions posed.
The Greek translation maintains the focus on the gates of death, aligning with the Hebrew text while adapting the expression to fit Greek linguistic norms.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 38:17 asks if the gates of death have been revealed to Job and if he has seen the gates of the shadow of death. This verse emphasizes the mystery of death and what lies beyond, suggesting that these truths are beyond human understanding.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The 'gates of death' symbolize the entrance to death and the afterlife, representing the unknown aspects of mortality.
God's questions highlight Job's limited understanding and the vastness of divine knowledge, challenging Job's perspective on suffering.
'The shadow of death' refers to a state of deep darkness and distress, often associated with the grave or extreme danger.
This verse underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and the mystery of God's plans, contrasting human limitations with God's omniscience.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What do you think the gates of death represent in your understanding of life and mortality?
- How can the questions God poses to Job challenge your own views on suffering and divine knowledge?
- In what ways do you perceive the shadow of death in the world around you?
- How can you find comfort in the mystery of death as part of God's greater plan?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse, interpreting the gates of death as a reference to the adverse powers that Christ overcame.
Have the gates of death been opened unto thee, and hast thou seen the gloomy doors? For the 'gates of death' are the adverse powers. Which the Lord descended and opened, because by dying He overcame their strength.Early Church Fathers on Job 38 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 38:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHave the gates of death been opened unto thee?.... Meaning not by which death has entered into the world, and which have been the causes and occasion of it; as the sin of man, the appointment of God,
Read John Gill on Job 38 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHave the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Seen. The second clause heightens the thought in the first.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 38 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHast thou seen, or dost thou perfectly know, the place and state of the dead, the depths and bowels of that earth in which the generality of dead men are buried, or the several ways and methods of death, or the various states and conditions of men after death? And the same thing is repeated.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 38 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 38:17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?Ver. 17. Have the gates of death been opened unto thee] sc. That thou shouldest know when, how, and of what disease every man shall die; together with the state and condition of the dead. Or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?] No, nor any man living hath ever seen those dark and dismal receptacles of the dead, called here the shadow of death; that is, so dreadful, that they were enough to strike a man dead.
Read John Trapp on Job 38 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 17. Have the gates of death been opened unto thee?] Dost thou know in what the article of death consists? This is as inexplicable as the question, What is animal life? The doors of the shallow of death?] צלמות tsalmaveth, the intermediate state, the openings into the place of separate spirits. Here two places are distinguished: מות maveth, death, and צלמות tsalmaveth, the shadow of death. It will not do to say, death is the privation of life, for what then would be the shadow of that privation?
Read AdamClarke on Job 38 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges17. have the gates of death] Or, were the gates? Death is personified; it is Sheol, the place of the dead, ch. Job 28:22. This is a lower deep than the recesses of the sea; Job, no doubt, went down there also. hast thou seen] Or, didst thou see?
Read Cambridge on Job 38 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHave the gates of death been opened unto thee - That is, the gates of the world where death reigns; or the gates that lead to the abodes of the dead. The allusion here is to “Sheol,” or “Hades,” the dark abodes of the dead.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 38 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible17. Gates of death — Used figuratively, or according to the usage of that age. The Assyrian legend of the descent of Ishtar into hades, “the house men enter but cannot depart from,” speaks of seven gates.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 38 →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
Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?
Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?
Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?
Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of deepest darkness?
Tyndale line
Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
Have the gates of death been revealed unto thee? Or hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death?
Have the gates of death been revealed unto thee? or hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death?
Have the gates of death been opened to thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shades of death?
Haue the gates of death bene opened vnto thee? or hast thou seene the gates of the shadowe of death?
Strictly literal
Have the gates of death been revealed unto thee? and hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death?
Revealed to thee were the gates of death? And the gates of death-shade dost thou see?
Were the gates of death revealed to you? And do you see the gates of death-shade?
Were the gates of death ever laid open unto thee? or canst thou see the doors of the shadow of death?
Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?
From the Latin
Have the gates of death been opened to thee, and hast thou seen the darksome doors?
Simplified
Have you been shown where the gates of death are? Have you seen the gates of utter darkness?
Have the doors of death been open to you, or have the door-keepers of the dark ever seen you?
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 and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all seven words matched in the Hebrew and Greek texts. This consistency highlights the preservation of the original meaning across different textual traditions.
הֲנִגְל֣וּ לְ֭ךָ שַׁעֲרֵי־ מָ֑וֶת וְשַׁעֲרֵ֖י צַלְמָ֣וֶת תִּרְאֶֽה׃
7 of the 7 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 Job 38:17
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.
The Hebrew word גָּלָה (galah) is a primitive root meaning to uncover or remove, with implications of revealing, disclosing, or going into exile. It encompasses various forms, including reflexive and passive uses, and can refer to both physical uncovering and metaphorical revelation. The word is notably associated with disgraceful exposure and the act of exile.
גָּלָה 189 vb. uncover, remove
Qal
uncover the ear of one, i.e. reveal to him
intr. remove, depart
go into exile
Niph.
refl.
uncover oneself (one’s nakedness)
discover or shew oneself
pass.
be uncovered (one’s nakedness)
be disclosed, discovered
be removed
Pi.
uncover
disclose, discover, lay bare
make known, shew, reveal
Pu. be uncovered
Hiph. carry away into exile, take into exile
Hoph. carried into exile
Hithp.
was uncovered (naked)
that his heart may reveal itself
base
H1540 גָּלָה uncover, remove .. uncover the ear of one, i.e. reveal to him
. intr. remove, depart
. go into exile
. . refl. . uncover oneself (one’s nakedness)
. discover or shew oneself
. pass. . be uncovered (one’s nakedness)
. be disclosed, discovered
. be removed
. . uncover
. disclose, discover, lay bare
. make known, shew, reveal
. be uncovered
. carry away into exile, take into exile
. carried into exile
. . was uncovered (naked)
. that his heart may reveal itself
1540 galah gaw-law'
a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful
sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually
stripped); figuratively, to reveal:--+ advertise, appear,
bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity),
depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, X plainly,
publish, remove, reveal, X shamelessly, shew, X surely, tell,
uncover.
הֶגְלָם (ga.lah) — Heglam.
A man of the tribe of Benjamin living before Israel's Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.8.7;
son of: Ehud (H0164);
brother of: Naaman (H5283J), Ahijah (H0281K), Uzza (H5798H) and Ahihud (H0284); also called Heglam (KJV: "removed"; NIV: "deported") at 1Ch.8.7;
Another name of ge.ra (גֵּרָא "Gera" H1617J)
to reveal oneself
גָּלָה (ga.lah) — to reveal: reveal.
: reveal[information]
1) to uncover, remove
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to uncover
1a2) to remove, depart
1a3) to go into exile
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) (reflexive)
1b1a) to uncover oneself
1b1b) to discover or show oneself
1b1c) to reveal himself (of God)
1b2) (passive)
1b2a) to be uncovered
1b2b) to be disclosed, be discovered
1b2c) to be revealed
1b3) to be removed
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to uncover (nakedness)
1c1a) nakedness
1c1b) general
1c2) to disclose, discover, lay bare
1c3) to make known, show, reveal
1d) (Pual) to be uncovered
Part | V-Niphal-Perf-3cp — Particle · verb niphal perfect third person common pluralHTi/VNp3cp
ךָּ (ka) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine singular
HR/Sp2ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms
שַׁ֫עַר (sha'ar) means 'gate' and is derived from a root that signifies an opening. It encompasses various types of gates, including those of cities, palaces, and temples, as well as metaphorical uses like 'gate of heaven.' The entries consistently highlight its role as an entrance or threshold.
שַׁ֫עַר 373 n.m. gate
base
H8179 שַׁ֫עַר gate
8179 sha`ar shah'-ar
from 8176 in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or
gate:--city, door, gate, port (X -er).
see HEBREW for 08176
שַׁ֫עַר (sha.ar) — gate.
: gate
1) gate
1a) gate (of entrance)
1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place)
1b1) city, town
1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle)
1d) heaven
שַׁ֫עַר (sha.ar) — gate: town.
: town
1) gate
1a) gate (of entrance)
1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place)
1b1) city, town
1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle)
1d) heaven
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מָ֫וֶת (maveth) means 'death' and encompasses various aspects such as natural or violent death, the state of being dead, and the realm of the dead (hades). It can also refer to pestilence or ruin. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to die' and has an Aramaic equivalent, מוֹת (mot).
מָ֫וֶת 161 n.m. death
death, opp. life
death by violence
state of death or place of death
base
H4194 מָ֫וֶת death
4194 maveth maw'-veth
from 4191; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead,
their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence,
ruin:--(be) dead((-ly)), death, die(-d).
see HEBREW for 04191
מָ֫וֶת (ma.vet) — death.
1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead
1a) death
1b) death by violence (as a penalty)
1c) state of death, place of death
Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
(maweth; thanatos):
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND FIGURATIVE VIEW
The word "Death" is used in the sense of
(1) the process of dying (Ge 21:16);
(2) the period of decease (Ge 27:7);
(3) as a possible synonym for poison (2Ki 4:40);
(4) as descriptive of person in danger of perishing (Jud 15:18; "in deaths oft" 2Co 11:23). In this sense the shadow of death is a familiar expression in Job, the Psalms and the Prophets;
Death
May be simply defined as the termination of life. It is represented under a variety of aspects in Scripture: (1.) “The dust shall return to the earth as it was” (Eccl. 12:7).
(2.) “Thou takest away their breath, they die” (Ps. 104:29).
(3.) It is the dissolution of “our earthly house of this tabernacle” (2 Cor. 5:1); the “putting off this tabernacle” (2 Pet. 1:13, 14).
(4.) Being “unclothed” (2 Cor. 5:3, 4).
(5.) “Falling on sleep” (Ps. 76:5; Jer. 51:39;
Is taken in Scripture, first, for the separation of body and soul, the first death, Ge 25:11; secondly, for alienation from God, and exposure to his wrath, 1Jo 3:14, etc.; thirdly, for the second death, that of eternal damnation. Death was the penalty affixed to Adam’s transgression, Ge 2:17 3:19; and all his posterity are transgressors, and share the curse inflicted upon him. CHRIST is "our life." All believers share his life, spiritually and eternally; and though sin and bodily is taken away, and in the resurrection the last enemy shall be trampled under foot, Ro 5:12-21 1Co 15:1-58.
שַׁ֫עַר (sha'ar) means 'gate' and is derived from a root that signifies an opening. It encompasses various types of gates, including those of cities, palaces, and temples, as well as metaphorical uses like 'gate of heaven.' The entries consistently highlight its role as an entrance or threshold.
שַׁ֫עַר 373 n.m. gate
base
H8179 שַׁ֫עַר gate
8179 sha`ar shah'-ar
from 8176 in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or
gate:--city, door, gate, port (X -er).
see HEBREW for 08176
שַׁ֫עַר (sha.ar) — gate.
: gate
1) gate
1a) gate (of entrance)
1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place)
1b1) city, town
1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle)
1d) heaven
שַׁ֫עַר (sha.ar) — gate: town.
: town
1) gate
1a) gate (of entrance)
1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place)
1b1) city, town
1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle)
1d) heaven
Conj | N-mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural constructHC/Ncmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
צַלְמָ֫וֶת (tsalmaveth) means 'death-shadow' or 'deep shadow,' often used to describe the grave or a state of calamity. It combines elements of 'shade' and 'death,' indicating deep darkness or distress. The term appears in poetic contexts, emphasizing extreme danger or the realm of the dead.
צַלְמָ֫וֶת n.[m.] death-shadow, deep shadow, poet.
base
H6757 צַלְמָ֫וֶת death-shadow, deep shadow, poet.
6757 tsalmaveth tsal-maw'-veth
from 6738 and 4194; shade of death, i.e. the grave
(figuratively, calamity):--shadow of death.
see HEBREW for 06738
see HEBREW for 04194
צַלְמָ֫וֶת (tsal.ma.vet) — shadow.
1) death-shadow, deep shadow, deep darkness, shadow of death
1a) death-shadow
1b) death-shadow, deep shadow, darkness
1c) death-shadow (of distress, extreme danger) (fig)
1d) death-shadow (of place of the dead) (fig)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
Darkness
The plague (the ninth) of darkness in Egypt (Ex. 10:21) is described as darkness “which may be felt.” It covered “all the land of Egypt,” so that “they saw not one another.” It did not extend to the land of Goshen (ver. 23).
When Jesus hung upon the cross (Matt. 27:45; Luke 23:44), from the “sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.”
is spoken of as encompassing the actual presence of God, as that out of which he speaks, --the envelope, as it were, of divine glory. (Exodus 20:21; 1 Kings 8:12) The plague of darkness in Egypt was miraculous. The darkness "over all the land," (Matthew 27:45) attending the crucifixion has been attributed to an eclipse, but was undoubtedly miraculous, as no eclipse of the sun could have taken place at that time, the moon being at the full at the time of the passover. Darkness is also, as in the expression "land of darkness," used for the state of the dead, (Job 10:21,22) and frequently, figuratively, for ignorance and unbelief, as the privation of spiritual light. (
The absence of natural light, Ge 1:2, and hence figuratively a state of misery and adversity, Job 18:6 Ps 107:10 Isa 8:22 9:1; also the absence of the sun and stars, and hence the fall of chief men and national convulsions, Isa 13:10 Ac 2:20. "Works of darkness," are the impure mysteries practiced in heathen worship, Eph 5:11. "Outer darkness" illustrates the gloom of those on whom the gates of heaven are closed, Mt 8:12. The darkness in Egypt,
רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.
רָאָה 1315 vb. see
Qal 1141
see, subj.
see, c. acc. rei
see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design
see, so as to learn to know
abs. see, have (power of) vision
see = perceive
look at, see, by direct volition
of mental observation
c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
see, c. acc. rei
Niph.
appear
be seen
be visible
Pu. appar. his bones are not detected
Hithp. recipr. look at each other
Hiph.
cause one to see something, shew
cause to experience something
cause to look intently at, to behold
Hoph.
be caused to see, be shewn
be exhibited to
base
H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.
. see, c. acc. rei
. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design
. see, so as to learn to know
. abs. see, have (power of) vision
. see = perceive
. look at, see, by direct volition
. of mental observation
. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
. see, c. acc. rei
. . appear
. be seen
. be visible
. appar. his bones are not detected
. recipr. look at each other
. . . cause one to see something, shew
. cause to experience something
. cause to look intently at, to behold
. . be caused to see, be shewn
. be exhibited to
H7200b רְאוּת look
7200 ra'ah raw-aw'
a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in
numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,
intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,
behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have
experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look
(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,
upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,
regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one
another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X
surely, X think, view, visions.
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.
: see/show
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
1a6) to look at, gaze at
1a7) to provide, choose
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to appear, present oneself
1b2) to be seen
1b3) to be visible
1c) (Pual) to be seen
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to see, show
1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be caused to see, be shown
1e2) to be exhibited to
1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.
: examine/consider
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singularHVqi2ms