Ineffable

Now there’s a word you don’t hear used too often. It means “incapable of being expressed in words,” or “indescribable.” In some contexts, it has a connotation of taboo – something unspeakable or not to be uttered.

While we have no qualms speaking about the “White Pocket,” we did find ourselves struggling to find a title for this photo. After trying all kinds of ideas, none of which ever seemed to capture in just a few words the wonderment of this sight, we finally gave up and simply chose the word “ineffable,” because no words can aptly describe White Pocket to someone who has never seen this place.

The ancient Hebrews of Biblical times considered the name of God to be “ineffable.” The Biblical book of Exodus describes how God spoke to Moses from a burning bush in the desert. Moses inquired, “What is your name?” and God revealed to Moses His holy name. The Hebrews came to regard that name as so holy, it should not even be uttered and so created other names for God as a substitute. While the White Pocket is certainly not a holy place, if you ever have the chance to visit, you may find yourself like Moses, nearly speechless, and certainly struggling to aptly describe it to anyone else.