Reference: Light
American
One of the most wonderful, cheering, and useful of all the works of God; called into being on the first of the six days of creation, by his voice: "Let there be light;" and there was light. No object better illustrates whatever is pure, glorious, spiritual, joyful, and beneficent. Hence the beauty and force of the expressions, "God is light," 1Jo 1:5, and "the Father of lights," Jas 1:17; Christ is the "Sun of righteousness," and "the light of the world," Joh 1:9; 8:12. So also the word of God is "a light," Ps 119:105; truth and Christians are lights, Joh 3:19; 12:36; prosperity is "light," Es 8:16; and heaven is full of light, Re 21:23-25. The opposite of all these is "darkness."
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The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor.
With my whole heart have I sought thee: Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.
There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.
Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.
While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light. These things spake Jesus, and he departed and hid himself from them.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.
And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb. And the nations shall walk amidst the light thereof: and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it. read more. And the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there):
Easton
the offspring of the divine command (Ge 1:3). "All the more joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations of the frame, all the happy hours of domestic intercourse were habitually described among the Hebrews under imagery derived from light" (1Ki 11:36; Isa 58:8; Es 8:16; Ps 97:11). Light came also naturally to typify true religion and the felicity it imparts (Ps 119:105; Isa 8:20; Mt 4:16, etc.), and the glorious inheritance of the redeemed (Col 1:12; Re 21:23-25). God is said to dwell in light inaccessible (1Ti 6:16). It frequently signifies instruction (Mt 5:16; Joh 5:35). In its highest sense it is applied to Christ as the "Sun of righteousness" (Mal 4:2; Lu 2:32; Joh 1:7-9). God is styled "the Father of lights" (Jas 1:17). It is used of angels (2Co 11:14), and of John the Baptist, who was a "burning and a shining light" (Joh 5:35), and of all true disciples, who are styled "the light of the world" (Mt 5:14).
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And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a lamp alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.
The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor.
Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.
With my whole heart have I sought thee: Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.
To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy healing shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of Jehovah shall by thy rearward.
But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.
The people that sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, To them did light spring up.
Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.
The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light. read more. There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light.
He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light.
And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.
giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;
who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.
And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb. And the nations shall walk amidst the light thereof: and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it. read more. And the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there):
Hastings
To the ancient mind light was a holy thing, and the Scriptures associate it with God. He dwells in light (Ex 24:10; 1Ti 6:16); He is clothed with light (Ps 104:2); He is light, and in Him is no darkness at all (1Jo 1:5); His glory is the effulgence of His light (Re 21:23). Cf. the ancient Greek Evening Hymn rendered by Keble: 'Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured,' etc. Hence Jesus, God Incarnate, is called 'the Light of the world' (Joh 1:4-5,9; 18:12), 'an effulgence of the glory of God' (Heb 1:3); and salvation is defined as walking in His light and being enlightened by it (Joh 8:12; 12:36,38; 1Jo 1:7; 2Co 4:6; Eph 5:8,14; 1Th 5:5; 1Pe 2:3). And Christians as His representatives and witnesses are the light of the world (Mt 5:14,16; Php 2:15). On the contrary, a godless life is darkness (Joh 3:10; 8:12; 12:46; 1Jo 2:11).
David Smith.
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And they saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and as it were the very heaven for clearness.
Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest.
And as soon as we had heard it, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more spirit in any man, because of you: for Jehovah your God, he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;
Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.
There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things?
Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.
While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light. These things spake Jesus, and he departed and hid himself from them.
that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness.
So the band and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him,
For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light
Wherefore he'saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.
that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world,
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.
who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb.
Morish
Besides the references to physical light as existing distinct from the sun, and then emanating from the sun as the great light-bearer, the term is mainly used in scripture in a moral sense. Light from God is His word revealing Himself, and not only making manifest the dangers here, but acting as a lamp in showing the true path. Ps 119:105. The Psalmist asked Jehovah to lift upon him the light of His countenance ( Ps 4:6 ), and declared that Jehovah Himself was his light, Ps 27:1. As natural light brings vigour and health to the body, so the light of God gives cheerfulness and strength to the soul.
God is light, and the Lord Jesus came to the earth as the true light which lighteth every man. He not only exposed all the evil in the world and all the false pretensions of the leaders of Israel; but "the life was the light of men." Joh 1:4; 8:12. Christians are "light in the Lord," and are exhorted to walk as "children of light." Eph 5:8; 1Th 5:5. In the midst of darkness they are set to shine as lights in the world. Php 2:15. A grave responsibility rests upon them lest they should not have the heavenly lustre that would characterise them as having in their hearts the light of the glory of the Lord. If the light in the Christian become darkness by his not walking in the reality of it, how great is that darkness! Mt 6:23.
It has been very properly said that light is appropriately descriptive of God; for light, invisible in itself, manifests everything. Christians, as we have seen, are 'light in the Lord,' and thus convict the unfruitful works of darkness; but here we may notice that it is not said of them, as of God, that they are 'love,' for love is the sovereign spring of activity in God.
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Many there are that say, Who will show us any good? Jehovah, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Jehovah is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
With my whole heart have I sought thee: Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness!
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.
For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light
that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world,
Watsons
LIGHT, ???, is used in a physical sense, Mt 17:2; Ac 9:3; 12:7; 2Co 4:6; for a fire giving light, Mr 14:54; Lu 22:56; for a torch, candle, or lamp, Ac 16:29; and for the material light of heaven, as the sun, moon, or stars, Ps 136:7; Jas 1:17. Figuratively taken, it signifies a manifest or open state of things, Mt 10:27; Lu 12:3; also prosperity, truth, and joy.
God is said to dwell in light inaccessible, 1Ti 6:16. This seems to contain a reference to the glory and splendour which shone in the holy of holies, where Jehovah appeared in the luminous cloud above the mercy seat, and which none but the high priest, and he only once a year, was permitted to approach unto, Le 16:2; Eze 1:22,26,28; but this was typical of the glory of the celestial world. It signifies, also, instruction, both by doctrine and example, Mt 5:16; Joh 5:35; or persons considered as giving such light, Mt 5:14; Ro 2:19. It is applied figuratively to Christ, the true Light, the Sun of Righteousness, who is that in the spiritual, which the material light is in the natural, world; who is the great Author, not only of illumination and knowledge, but of spiritual life, health, and joy to the souls of men.
The images of light and darkness, says Bishop Lowth, are commonly made use of in all languages to imply or denote prosperity and adversity, agreeably to the common sense and perception which all men have of the objects themselves. But the Hebrews employ those metaphors more frequently and with less variation than other people: indeed, they seldom refrain from them whenever the subject requires or will even admit of their introduction. These expressions, therefore, may be accounted among those forms of speech, which in the parabolic style are established and defined; since they exhibit the most noted and familiar images, and the application of them on this occasion is justified by an acknowledged analogy, and approved by constant and unvarying custom. In the use of images, so conspicuous and so familiar among the Hebrews, a degree of boldness is excusable. The Latins introduce them more sparingly, and therefore are more cautious in the application of them. But the Hebrews, upon a subject more sublime indeed, in itself, and illustrating it by an idea which was more habitual to them, more daringly exalt their strains, and give a loose rein to the spirit of poetry. They display, for instance, not the image of the spring, of Aurora, of the dreary night, but the sun and stars as rising with increased splendour in a new creation, or again involved in chaos and primeval darkness. Does the sacred bard promise to his people a renewal of the divine favour, and a recommencement of universal prosperity? In what magnificent colours does he depict it! Such, indeed, as no translation can illustrate, but such as none can obscure:
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and Jehovah said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil, before the mercy-seat which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy-seat.
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Jehovah of hosts will reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders shall be glory.
Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that Jehovah bindeth up the hurt of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.
The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but Jehovah will be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for Jehovah will be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
And over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of a firmament, like the terrible crystal to look upon, stretched forth over their heads above.
And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it above.
As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
Of fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was thy sail, that it might be to thee for an ensign; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was thine awning. The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were thy rowers: thy wise men, O Tyre, were in thee, they were thy pilots.
Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
What I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the house-tops.
and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.
And Peter had followed him afar off, even within, into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire .
Wherefore whatsoever ye have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
And a certain maid seeing him as he sat in the light of the fire , and looking stedfastly upon him, said, This man also was with him.
He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light.
And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven:
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas,
and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness,
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.
who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.