מַאְפֵלְיָה
𐤌𐤀𐤐𐤋𐤉𐤄
maʼphêlᵉyâh
H3991 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or condition of deep or total darkness, absence of light; frequently describes an intense, enveloping darkness which can obscure both physical and metaphorical sight. In biblical usage, it often denotes exceptionally thick darkness, such as the darkness of night, storm, or extraordinary events.
Semantic Range
deep darkness, thick darkness, impenetrable gloom, extraordinary or supernatural darkness, darkness as a sign of judgment, metaphorical or physical obscurity
Root / Etymology
Root derives from אָפֵל (ʾāphēl), meaning 'dark' or 'to be dark.' The prefix מ (mem-) and the feminine ending –יָה (-iyah) form a noun indicating a state or condition. Thus, מַאְפֵלְיָה (ma'phêleyāh) is an abstract noun denoting 'darkness,' especially deep or palpable darkness. Root: אפל, 'to be dark.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term מַאְפֵלְיָה occurs only a handful of times in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Exod 10:22; Ps 105:28). It typically refers to a supernatural or imposing darkness (e.g., in the description of the ninth plague in Egypt), signifying a darkness so thick it is almost tangible. Unlike other terms for 'darkness' (such as חֹשֶׁךְ ḥōshekh), which may indicate ordinary darkness or night, מַאְפֵלְיָה suggests a more extraordinary, oppressive, or unsettling darkness, sometimes with overtones of divine judgment or awe. In later translations and traditions, this word was sometimes rendered as 'gloom,' 'pitch-darkness,' or 'thick darkness,' and in English Bibles as 'darkness' or 'thick darkness.' Acknowledging the semantic nuance helps avoid flattening its meaning to ordinary dark or night. In later Hebrew (post-biblical), the term becomes rare, with other forms predominating. There is no anachronistic association with later religious concepts; the word operates strictly within the sensory realm and, contextually, the sphere of divine intervention or awe-inspiring events.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
lemma מַאֲפֵלְיָה second vowel, corrected to מַאְפֵלְיָה; prolonged feminine of מַאֲפֵל; opaqueness; darkness.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אפל (ʾ-p-l) — to be dark, grow dark, obscure
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3990 | מַאֲפֵל | deep gloom |
| H648 | אָפִיל | unripe ones |
| H651 | אָפֵל | and deep-dark |
| H652 | אֹפֶל | in the deep darkness |
| H653 | אֲפֵלָה | deep darkness |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3991-01 |
מַאְפֵּ֖לְיָ֑ה | maepeleyah | HNcfsa |
of thick darkness | deep darkness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3991-01 |
Jeremiah 2:31 | מַאְפֵּ֖לְיָ֑ה | maepeleyah | HNcfsa |
of thick darkness | deep darkness |