Used in various significations in scripture.
1. State of the earth before God said, “Let there be light” (Gen. 1:2).
2. Temporary absence of light in the night (Gen. 1:5).
3. Extraordinary darkness sent by God (Ex. 10:21; Ex. 14:20; Matt. 27:45).
4. The darkness by which God shrouded His glory (Ex. 20:21; Psa. 18:9,11; Psa. 97:2; Heb. 12:18).
5. State of death as compared with natural life (Job 10:21-22).
6. Moral darkness as the consequent state of man fallen (Psa. 82:5; Isa. 9:2; Matt. 4:16; John 1:5; John 3:19; 2 Cor. 6:14; 1 Pet. 2:9).
7. It characterizes Satan and his agents (Luke 22:53; Eph. 6:12; Rev. 16:10).
8. It is the abode of wicked spirits and will characterize the place of punishment of the wicked (Matt. 8:12; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6,13). God is light, and Christ came into the world as the true light: everything shut out from God, or opposed to God and to the Lord Jesus, must partake of moral darkness.