dommedag

Dommedag is a term used in Norwegian and Danish (and related Scandinavian languages) that translates to “Judgment Day” or “Day of Judgment.” It is primarily employed to refer to the eschatological day when God is believed to judge the living and the dead. The word derives from Germanic roots, with dom meaning judgment and dag meaning day.

In Christian contexts, dommedag denotes the final divine judgment that follows the resurrection. In Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant eschatology, it is associated with the Second Coming of Christ, the separation of the righteous and the wicked, the creation of a new heaven and new earth, and the ultimate destinies of souls. Specific timing and sequence vary among denominations; some traditions emphasize a personal judgment at death, while others emphasize a universal judgment at the end of times.

Beyond religious use, dommedag also appears in secular or cultural contexts to describe looming catastrophe or apocalyptic scenarios. It is a common metaphor in literature, film, media, and public discourse for imminent disaster.

Variant spellings include dommedag in Norwegian and Danish, and domedag in Swedish. The term is often used as a direct translation of “Day of Judgment” in English, though some contexts distinguish between personal judgment after death and a cosmic, end-of-world judgment. The concept remains a recurring element in European religious and cultural thought, shaping discussions of ethics, fate, and the end of the world.