en_tw/bible/kt/darkness.md

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darkness

Definition:

The term "darkness" literally means an absence of light. There are also several figurative meanings of this term:

  • As a metaphor, "darkness" means "impurity" or "evil" or "spiritual blindness."
  • It also refers to anything related to sin and moral corruption.
  • The expression "dominion of darkness" refers to all that is evil and ruled by Satan.
  • The term "darkness" can also be used as a metaphor for death. (See: Metaphor)
  • People who do not know God are said to be "living in darkness," which means they do not understand or practice righteousness.
  • God is light (righteousness) and the darkness (evil) cannot overcome that light.
  • The place of punishment for those who reject God is sometimes referred to as "outer darkness."

Translation Suggestions:

  • It is best to translate this term literally, with a word in the project language that refers to the absence of light. This could also be a term that refers to the darkness of a room with no light or to the time of day when there is no light.
  • For the figurative uses, it is also important to keep the image of darkness in contrast to light, as a way to describe evil and deception in contrast to goodness and truth.
  • Depending on the context, other ways to translate this could be, "darkness of night" (as opposed to "light of day") or "not seeing anything, like at night" or "evil, like a dark place".

(See also: ../kt/corrupt.md, ../kt/dominion.md, ../other/kingdom.md, ../kt/light.md, ../kt/redeem.md, ../kt/righteous.md)

Bible References: