Greek word · G4654

σκοτίζω

skotizō

to darken

σκοτίζω: "to darken, make dark"; in the passive, "be darkened," used of heavenly bodies and, figuratively, of minds (Rom 1:21). φέγγος: "light, radiance, brightness," a common Greek word for the shining of the moon or a lamp.

Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

σκοτίζω

(σκότος), [in LXX for חָשַׁךְ ;]

to darken; in NT always pass., -ομαι, to be darkened: of the heavenly bodies, Matthew 24:29, Mark 13:24, Luke 23:45 (Rec., WH, mg.), Revelation 8:12. Metaphorical, of the mind, Romans 1:21 11:10" (LXX) (cf. σκοτόω).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Matthew 24:29

Range of meaning

σκοτίζω: "to darken, make dark"; in the passive, "be darkened," used of heavenly bodies and, figuratively, of minds (Rom 1:21). φέγγος: "light, radiance, brightness," a common Greek word for the shining of the moon or a lamp.

Against the English

"Darkened" and "light" are accurate. "Radiance" or "glow" would keep the moonlight sense of φέγγος.

Used elsewhere in the period

The wording follows LXX Isaiah 13:10 (against Babylon): "the sun will be darkened at its rising, and the moon will not give its light." Joel 2:10 LXX ("the sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars will withhold their radiance [φέγγος]") and Joel 3:15 (4:15 LXX); also Ezekiel 32:7–8 (against Pharaoh) and Amos 8:9. The Testament of Moses 10:5, a Jewish text from around the time of Jesus, says at God's coming "the sun will not give light… the horns of the moon will be turned into darkness."

From the study of Revelation 8:12

Range of meaning

To darken or make dark. Used literally of light failing and figuratively of a mind or understanding becoming darkened (Rom 1:21).

Against the English

'Darkened' is accurate. A modern reader may hear it only as gloom or bad weather. An ancient Jewish hearer heard a set prophetic phrase for the end of an age or the fall of a power.

Used elsewhere in the period

Septuagint: Isaiah 13:10, against Babylon ('the sun will be darkened as it rises'); Joel 2:10 and 3:15 (LXX 4:15), 'sun and moon will be darkened'; Ezekiel 32:7–8 against Pharaoh; Amos 8:9 uses a related verb ('the sun will set at noon'). Jesus uses the same verb in Mark 13:24 and Matthew 24:29. Compare Exodus 10:21–23, the ninth plague: three days of darkness over Egypt.

From the study of Mark 13:24

Range of meaning

To darken or become dark. It is used literally of heavenly bodies and figuratively of the mind ('their foolish heart was darkened', Rom 1:21; 11:10 citing Ps 69:23).

Against the English

'Darkened' is accurate. What English cannot show is that Mark is quoting almost word for word from prophetic oracles of judgment.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek Old Testament Isaiah 13:10, against Babylon: 'the sun will be darkened (σκοτισθήσεται) at its rising, and the moon will not give its light'. Also Ezek 32:7–8 (against Pharaoh, where God darkens sun, moon and stars); Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15; Amos 8:9 ('I will make the sun go down at noon'); Isa 34:4. In Jewish writings of the time, compare Testament (Assumption) of Moses 10:5 and 4 Ezra 5:4 for disturbed sun and moon at the end.

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 24:29 σκοτισθήσεται, will be darkened,

    Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’

    Here: Future passive, "will be darkened." The passive leaves the actor unnamed, and in prophetic speech that actor is God. The sun does not just fade; it is darkened.

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 13:24 σκοτισθήσεται, will be darkened,

    But in those days, after that tribulation: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;

    Here: A future passive: 'will be darkened'. No agent is named. In the Isaiah and Joel passages behind this line, God is the one who darkens it.

Romans · 2

  1. Romans 1:21 ἐσκοτίσθη was darkened

    For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.

    Here: 'Was darkened'. The light they had (v. 19–20) went out inside them. Darkness is the biblical picture for lost understanding.

  2. Romans 11:10 σκοτισθήτωσαν should be darkened

    May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.”

Revelation · 1

  1. Revelation 8:12 σκοτισθῇ may be darkened

    Then the fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun and moon and stars were struck. A third of the stars were darkened, a third of the day was without light, and a third of the night as well.

    Here: 'Might be darkened', passive like 'was struck'. This is the vocabulary of the prophets' Day of the LORD, when sun, moon and stars go dark.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.