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ζόφος

zóphos

G2217 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Dense darkness, especially of a thick, impenetrable or oppressive kind; often denoting a state or environment characterized by a lack of light, such as darkness covering the earth, or the symbolic darkness of the underworld or punishment. The word can also refer to gloom or shadows, particularly as an enveloping or shrouding phenomenon.

Semantic Range

dense darkness, oppressive gloom, shrouding shadow, thick mist, underworld darkness, darkness of punishment

Root / Etymology

Derived from a root possibly related to νέφος ('cloud'), indicating a connection to obscurity or covering, but exact origin uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ζόφος appears from classical Greek literature onward, consistently describing the idea of oppressive or dense darkness. In older Greek poetry (Homer, Hesiod), it is frequently used to refer to the darkness of the netherworld, such as Hades or Tartarus, often conveying the sense of a gloomy, shrouding mist or shadow enveloping the dead. In Hellenistic and later literature, including the Septuagint and New Testament (e.g., 2 Peter 2:4, 17; Jude 13), ζόφος consistently denotes an intense or supernatural darkness, sometimes as the condition or location reserved for divine punishment or fallen beings. English translations have tended to render it as 'blackness,' 'gloom,' or 'darkness,' but none fully capture the thick, shrouding sense intrinsic to the Greek term. ζόφος differs from more general terms for darkness (σκότος) by emphasizing density and the sense of enveloping or confining gloom, rather than simply the absence of light.

Translation Consistency

primary "darkness" 4 occurrences

ζόφος primarily denotes a state or mass of thick, oppressive darkness or gloom (including underworld or punitive darkness). "Darkness" is the most natural, widely used English noun that covers the full semantic range (dense darkness, gloom, shadow) and will read well in varied contexts.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"gloom" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

akin to the base of νέφος; gloom (as shrouding like a cloud):--blackness, darkness, mist.

Root Family

ζοφ- (zóphos) — darkness, gloom, shadow, mist

Root ζοφ- darkness, gloom, shadow, mist

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2217-03 ζόφος zophos N NOM M SG blackness dense darkness dense darkness 2
G2217-01 ζόφῳ zopho N DAT M SG and darkness in dense darkness in gloom 1
G2217-02 ζόφον zophon N ACC M SG darkness dense darkness dense darkness 1
G2217-04 ζόφου zophou N GEN M SG of darkness of dense darkness of dense darkness 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2217-01 Hebrews 12:18 ζόφῳ zopho N DAT M SG and darkness in dense darkness in gloom
G2217-04 2 Peter 2:4 ζόφου zophou N GEN M SG of darkness of dense darkness of dense darkness
G2217-03 2 Peter 2:17 ζόφος zophos N NOM M SG gloom dense darkness dense darkness
G2217-02 Jude 1:6 ζόφον zophon N ACC M SG darkness dense darkness dense darkness
G2217-03 Jude 1:13 ζόφος zophos N NOM M SG blackness dense darkness dense darkness
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