light

“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good…” (Gen. 1:3-4).

“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” (see: 1 Kings 11:36; Isa. 58:8; Esther 8:16; Ps. 97:11).

Light came naturally to typify true religion and the felicity it imparts (Ps. 119:105; Isa. 8:20; Matt. 4:16, etc.). In its highest sense, it is applied to Christ as the “Sun of righteousness” (Mal. 4:2; Luke 2:32; John 1:7-9).

It is used of…

• dwelling place of God—He is said to dwell in light inaccessible (1 Tim. 6:16).

• a visible and symbolic effect of God’s nature—His glory, power, holiness, truth and wisdom—“Father of lights” (James 1:17), “He that made great lights,” “He who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light,” “He who has eyes like a flame of fire” (Rev. 1:14-15; 2:18)

• Jesus Christ—“I am the light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5). / Light of the Gentiles (Luke 2:32) / Light from Light

• names of God, including “Light of the Nations” (‘Or Goyim) (Isaiah 42:6), “Light of Israel” (Isaiah 10:17; Psalm 27:1)

• angels—Daniel saw an angel with a face like lightning (Daniel 10:5-6). The angel that rolled back the stone from Christ's tomb was radiating dazzling light (Matthew 28:3; Luke 24:4).

• the glorious inheritance of the redeemed (Col. 1:12; Rev. 21:23-25)

• all true disciples of God, who are styled “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14) / “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

• Word of God—“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

• wise, truthful instruction (John 5:35; Matt. 5:16)

• John the Baptist, who was a “burning and a shining light” (John 5:35)

• Satan, the Great Deceiver—an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14)

ALSO SEE:

• darkness
• lamp
• fire
• torches
• firebrand
• lightning
• day
• LONG DAYS OF LIGHT—What's the explanation for the “long days” of Joshua and Hezekiah? Answer
• ASTRONOMICAL LIGHT SOURCES—Sun, Moon and stars
• DISTANT STARLIGHT—How can light get to us from stars millions of light years away in a universe which the Bible claims is only thousands of years old? Answer
• truth
• wisdom
• Creation of light—“I form the light, and create darkness” (Isa. 45:7).
• BEING OF LIGHT—Who is the being of light encountered in near-death experiences? Answer