2 Samuel 22:12 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.

He made darkness pavilions round about him, х cukowt (H5521)] - booths; used here for a tabernacle of God (cf. Job 36:29; Psalms 97:2).

Dark waters, х chashrat (H2841) mayim (H4325)] - gathering of waters; i:e., clouds. [In the parallel passage of Psalms 18:12, the phrase is cheshkat (H2824) mayim (H4325), darkness of waters, i:e., rain-clouds.]

And thick clouds of the skies, х `aabeey (H5645) shªchaaqiym (H7834)] - thickness of clouds; i:e., a collective mass of dense portentous clouds (formed his pavilion or tent) (cf. Exodus 19:9, where similar phraseology is employed). In the manner of Oriental sovereigns, who withdrew into total, distant seclusion from the view of their subjects, God is described as surrounded by impenetrable darkness; because He is a Being who "dwells in light which is inaccessible, and full of glory."

2 Samuel 22:12

12 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, darkd waters, and thick clouds of the skies.