Aphelah (אֲפֵלָה) is the feminine form related to H652, denoting profound, oppressive darkness. It describes both literal darkness — the absence of light — and metaphorical darkness representing trouble, calamity, and moral blindness. The word appears in contexts of divine judgment and human suffering.
The darkness of aphelah stands in stark contrast to the light of God's salvation. The prophets used this word to describe the day of the LORD's judgment (Zephaniah 1:15) and the spiritual condition of those who have turned from God's ways. The gospel promise is that Christ came as a light shining in this very darkness (John 1:5; Isaiah 9:2).