קַדְרוּת
𐤒𐤃𐤓𐤅𐤕
qadrûwth
H6940 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or quality of darkness, gloom, or blackness; often describing a visual or metaphorical lack of light and brightness, and sometimes indicating a somber or mournful atmosphere in a figurative sense. Used both literally (as in darkness of sky or skin) and metaphorically (as in emotional or spiritual gloom).
Semantic Range
darkness, blackness, gloom, duskiness, somberness; figurative gloom or mourning
Root / Etymology
From the root קדר, which has the core meaning 'to be dark, become dark, mourn'. Qadrûwth is a noun form indicating the state or condition of being dark or gloomy, derived by nominalizing the verbal notion of darkness or mourning.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, קַדְרוּת is a rare noun, found primarily in poetic or descriptive texts (e.g., Ezekiel 30:18), where it denotes darkening conditions such as the literal darkening of the sky, or a figurative period of national calamity, mourning, or loss. The term is linked to other forms from the same root such as קָדַר (qādar, 'to be dark, to mourn') and is used in a way that can signal both physical darkness and emotional or communal gloom. English translations vary: "duskiness," "blackness," "gloom," or "darkness"; each captures part of the semantic range but tends to favor the physical sense. No theological or ritual sense is intrinsic to the term itself, but later interpretations sometimes read mourning implications into its usage. Comparable nouns such as חֹשֶׁךְ (ḥōshekh, 'darkness') are more common and tend to be neutral or physical, whereas קַדְרוּת often has a more somber or ominous tone. Usage appears limited to later biblical Hebrew or exilic/post-exilic periods, particularly in literary and prophetic contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from קָדַר; duskiness; blackness.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קדר (q-d-r) — to be dark, become dark, mourn
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6937 | קָדַר | I will darken them |
| H6938 | קֵדָר | to Qedar |
| H6939 | קִדְרוֹן | Kidron Ravine |
| H6941 | קְדֹרַנִּית | in mourning-blackness |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6940-01 |
קַדְר֑וּת | qaderut | HNcfsa |
blackness | gloomy darkness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6940-01 |
Isaiah 50:3 | קַדְר֑וּת | qaderut | HNcfsa |
blackness | gloomy darkness |