יחזקאל, פרק ל״ב, פסוק ח׳

A coming disaster of unimaginable scale is often felt as a collapse of the natural world. To illustrate the sheer intensity of the ruin destined for Egypt, the prophecy paints a picture of absolute, cosmic darkness. When people face overwhelming tragedy, it naturally feels as though the entire world around them has gone black [רד״ק].

On a physical level, this imagery involves the fading of all the shining stars in the night sky [מצודת דוד], or specifically the five visible planets that cast their light upon the earth [רד״ק]. God promises to bring a darkness that is not merely the temporary shadow of passing clouds. Instead, it is the complete extinguishing of the celestial light sources themselves, resulting in a total and absolute blackout across the land, far beyond a simple gloomy day [מלבי״ם].

Alongside this physical description, there is a deeper symbolic layer where the heavenly bodies represent spiritual forces. In this view, the bright lights stand for the heavenly princes and guardian angels who advocate on behalf of Egypt. As these celestial lights fade, it signifies the complete loss of Egypt's spiritual protection [רש״י]. Ultimately, whether understood as a literal blackout or the collapse of heavenly defenders, this profound darkness acts as a powerful metaphor for the final destruction of Egypt, leaving it as a desolate global wasteland [מלבי״ם].