Deep Darkness

SPECIAL TOPIC: DEEP DARKNESS

This is the Hebrew word salmawet (BDB 853), which is translated in the KJV in Ps. 23:4 as
“the valley of the shadow of death.” It really means a valley of deep darkness, which may describe any and all of life’s crises.

The NET Bible has a good note about this word at Jer. 2:6 (p. 1290, #6). It is used in poetic texts of

the darkness of prison, Ps. 107:10,14
the darkness of invasion, Isa. 9:1
the darkness of a mine, Job 28:3
the darkness of a ravine, Ps. 23:4
the darkness of a wasteland and ravines of the Sinai desert, Jer. 2:6
life’s tragedies or confusions, Job 3:5; 12:22; 24:17; 28:3; 34:22; Ps. 44:19
the darkness of death, Job 10:21-22; 38:17

Notice the contrast between YHWH’s word/truth as light, but sin as darkness (BDB 364, KB 361,
Hiphil IMPERFECT, cf. Isa. 8:22-9:2), deep darkness (BDB 853), and gloom (BDB 791).
This darkness imagery is characterized by “stumbling” (BDB 619, KB 669, Hithpael IMPERATIVE).
A life of faith is pictured as a person walking on a clearly marked path in light. If one

deviates from the path
stumbles on the path
rejects God’s ways (path)
walks in darkness in difficult terrain

judgment is the result.