[Greek] σκοτίζομαι (skotizomai), [Latin] obscuere: to darken, to cover with darkness, to be deprived of light, to be unable to understand (a mind that is darkened); Mt.24:29, Mk.13:24, Lk.23:45, Rom.1:21, Rom.11:10, Eph.4:18
Thomas Jefferson talks about the evil institution of slavery in which his culture does not want to get rid of.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to make dark, to be blinded, to fail to understand, and to be deceitful. Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus 1326 states “You are are still steadfast in your care for me, and still have patience to tend to the blind man.” Euripides’ Alcestis 371 states “Already, now my sight is dimmed with darkness.” Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus 1273 states “Long enough have you looked on those whom you ought never to have seen, having failed in the knowledge of those you have yearned to know.” Euripides’ Phoenissae 1214 states “There is so evil you are hiding, veiling it in darkness.” Plato’s Laws 864c states “The one concerns acts done on each occasion by violent and open mean, the other acts done privily under cover of darkness and deceit, or sometimes done in both these ways.”
Old Testament: This term means to become dark, to be hidden, to grow dim, to hide, to conceal, to obscure, and to confuse. The light in his tent is darkened (Job 18:6). May their eyes grow dim so they cannot see (Psa.69:23). Because of these things our eyes are dim (Lam.5:17). Give glory to the Lord your God before He brings darkness and before your feet stumble (Jer.13:16). Even the light is darkened by its clouds (Isa.5:30). The sun will be dark when it rises and the moon will not shed its light (Isa.13:10). He sent darkness and made it dark (Psa.69:23)
New Testament: This term means to darken (become dark) and to be unable to understand. The moon and the sun are eclipsed. The idolaters’ minds are darkened, turning away and becoming vain in their reasoning. The Jews’ eyes grow dim in refusing to accept the Christian teaching concerning the Messiah. They are incapable of discerning the truth. The Gentiles’ minds are darkened, alienated from God because of their ignorance, hardness of heart, callousness, and licentiousness.
Slavery: This quote succinctly describes the morally conflicted, nuanced, and ambivalent views that 18th century Americans had towards slavery. Slavery is like an evil wolf that cannot be let go by its keeper. Thomas Jefferson recognizes that slavery is a moral blight, yet his culture still embraces this evil institution. Despite his moral flaws, Thomas Jefferson’s visionary and forward thinking later develops the notion that “all men are created equal” in the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson, as with many others of his culture, had moral shortcomings (his mind was darkened) in failing to accept the equality of people of color. Therefore, it is naïve and simplistic to view the past from a strictly future perspective looking back. One must understand but also neither excuse (rationalize) the culture and cultural motivations at that time!
Etymology: This term essentially means to make dark. The Greek nouns skotos and scotia both mean dark. It is unclear (difficult to see ☺) if this term is directly related to Scotia and Nova Scotia. This term is also related to the Greek noun nephos, meaning cloud. Nephology is the study of clouds. The Latin word for cloud is nube. From this we get the word nebula, a gas cloud in outer space. From this we get the word nebulous, meaning unclear or vague. Interestingly, the Latin verb obscuere is closely related to Latin verb obnubere. This term conveys a darkened, clouded, or unclear perception.
Nuance: The word nuance comes from the Latin verb obnubere, meaning to veil. A nuance is a slight degree of difference in expression, feeling, perception, and opinion. This pertains to something non-distinct and not clearly defined. When something is not “black and white” (easy to define), it becomes nuanced (difficult to define). And in turn, nuanced (unclearly defined) opinions may result. Rather than seeing something in simple terms (black and white), one may see something in various ways (shades of gray).
Thomas Jefferson’s conflicting attitudes toward slavery:
What is perhaps the greatest irony about Thomas Jefferson? He wrote that “all men are created equal”, yet personally had more than six hundred slaves over the course of his life. He made some legislated attempts against slavery, yet he also profited from it. Although he himself owned slaves, Thomas Jefferson also saw the evils of it.
What are some of Thomas Jefferson’s quotes about slavery? He called slavery a “moral depravity” and a “hideous blot.” He also wrote that maintaining slavery was like “holding a wolf by the ear, and we can neither hold, nor safely let him go.”
What was Thomas Jefferson’s public position toward slavery? He perceived that slavery was the greatest threat to the survival of the new American nation. He believed that the emancipation of slaves must be part of the democratic process with the consent of the majority. (Yet many wanted slavery to remain!) To allow only a few to be freed would be contrary to the principles of the American Revolution.
Why were Thomas Jefferson’s legislative efforts ultimately not successful? He was conflicted about his own personal views about slavery. His efforts to “improve” and “ameliorate” the more violent aspects of slavery had the unintended result of perpetuating it. There was an entrenched intercontinental (world wide) cultural acceptance of slavery. Slavery was widespread and profitable. Thomas Jefferson faced opposition on many levels.
What was Thomas Jefferson’s foreboding fear for a nation who was in part in favor of abolition and in part in favor of slavery? A civil war. Thomas Jefferson already could foretell a future Civil War.
Conclusion:
Obscure, nebulous, nuance
In addition to being stupid, it is also very naïve and simplistic to destroy statues when one has no understanding of history. They just want to cancel history about racism and slavery. They fail to see that the culture in the past was deeply entrenched in holding slaves. Even Thomas Jefferson himself was a morally flawed character in history. He saw forward the notion that “all men were created equal.” Yet Thomas Jefferson also faced opposition during this time in history.
Like the blind man, still some of us have our own “blind spot” (prejudice, racism, bigotry, other vices, etc.). We today do not live in a systemic racist society. However, unfortunately there remains some racist and bigoted people. Yet, many people paint a broad brush, saying otherwise. So we have those, who fail to understand history, destroy statues. Others, under the cover of a mask who claim to be anti-fascist, carry out violence and destroy property. Still others, in the cover of night, riot and loot.
In the Old Testament, it is interesting to see how darkening is connected with concealing, hiding, obscuring, and confusing.
In the New Testament, men’s minds, eyes, and hearts are darkened, falling away from God. They fall away by refusing to believe or by falling into sinful behavior.
It is quite interesting in how this term relates to darkness, cloudiness, and nuance. It is often quite difficult to see when your vision is clouded or darkened. Rather than seeing something clear or distinct, you may see something more nuanced or nebulous. One would always like to come to a clear conclusion. But the reality is that one may sometimes have to come to a nuanced conclusion.
Let’s be honest, Thomas Jefferson was a morally conflicted and flawed man in his time. He saw the evils of slavery (owning slaves). Yet he had the vision to claim that “all men are created equal”. We also must not forget that Thomas Jefferson faced huge obstacles in his efforts to abolish slavery.
Those, who destroy these statues, are the ones who have darkened their minds. They are in the dark in their childish understanding of history.