The term "dimly-lighted" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of dim or partial illumination is present in various scriptural passages, often symbolizing limited understanding, partial revelation, or the presence of spiritual obscurity. In the biblical context, light frequently represents truth, knowledge, and the presence of God, while darkness or dimness can symbolize ignorance, sin, or the absence of divine guidance.

Biblical Context and Symbolism

1. Partial Understanding and Revelation: The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, uses the metaphor of seeing "dimly" to describe the current state of human understanding compared to the full knowledge that will be revealed in the future. In 1 Corinthians 13:12 (BSB), Paul writes, "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." This passage highlights the contrast between the present, limited comprehension of divine truths and the complete understanding that believers will experience in eternity.

2. Spiritual Obscurity: Dimly-lighted conditions can also represent spiritual obscurity or the lack of clear spiritual insight. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a people walking in darkness, awaiting the light of God's revelation. Isaiah 9:2 (BSB) states, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned." Here, the dimness of spiritual understanding is contrasted with the coming of divine illumination through the Messiah.

3. Moral and Ethical Implications: Dimly-lighted scenarios can also imply moral ambiguity or ethical confusion. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the "light of the world" (John 8:12, BSB), offering clarity and guidance to those who follow Him. The absence of this light, or a dimly-lighted path, suggests a life lived without the moral and ethical direction provided by Christ's teachings.

4. Prophetic Vision: In prophetic literature, dimly-lighted visions or dreams can indicate the partial or veiled nature of prophetic messages. The book of Daniel and the Revelation to John contain visions that are not fully understood until further revelation or interpretation is provided. This partial illumination serves to remind believers of the mystery inherent in God's plans and the need for faith and patience.

Theological Implications

The concept of being dimly-lighted serves as a reminder of the limitations of human understanding and the necessity of divine revelation for true knowledge. It underscores the importance of seeking God's light through prayer, study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance. The metaphor also encourages believers to live in anticipation of the full revelation of God's truth, maintaining hope and faith in the promises of God.

In summary, while the term "dimly-lighted" is not explicitly used in the Bible, its thematic elements are woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the contrast between human limitation and divine illumination.

The Mildness of the Yellow Press
... To people wholly weary or partly drunk in a dimly lighted train, it is a simplification
and a comfort to have things presented in this vast and obvious manner. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/viii the mildness of the.htm

During These Various Changes in the Lives of those with whom He ...
... followed by weak tears, he woke one afternoon calm and coherent,"to find himself
lying on a straight pallet bed in a narrow stone chamber, dimly lighted by a ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxv during these various changes.htm

The True vine.
... The student is then to picture to himself the Master with the eleven apostles, in
the dimly-lighted chamber, standing, girt for departure; and they, eagerly ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the true vine.htm

The False Prophet
... From the summit of Zion, which Philadelphus mounted, he could see three Roman
war-towers, planted along the outer works, dimly lighted, and manned by a ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xix the false prophet.htm

Impure Zeal
... in, and 'the songs of the temple' are turned to 'howlings in that day.' The defenceless,
surprised crowd, huddled together in the dimly lighted shrine, were ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/impure zeal.htm

The Old House and the New
... The old house, though it be smoky, dimly lighted, and, by our own careless keeping,
sluttish and grimy in many a corner, yet is the only house we have ever ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the old house and the.htm

The Fulness of Christ
... Do not let your lives be like some dimly lighted road, with a lamp here, and a stretch
of darkness, and then another twinkling light; let the light run all ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the fulness of christ.htm

The Love of Rameses
... The huge column dwarfed her into tininess. The hall was but dimly lighted
by a single lamp and that flared above her head. Rameses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxv the love of.htm

A Corps Commander
... A woman hall-keeper tells, 'One evening I caught her creeping like an old woman,
through the dimly lighted hall, bent almost double with bronchitis. ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/v a corps commander.htm

The Northern Mountains
... The boiling-house was but very dimly lighted by two murky oil-lamps, the rays from
which could scarcely penetrate through the dense atmosphere of steam which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xi the northern mountains.htm

Dimly-lighted (1 Occurrence)
Dimly-lighted. Dimly, Dimly-lighted. Dimmed . Multi-Version
Concordance Dimly-lighted (1 Occurrence). 2 Peter 1:19 And ...
/d/dimly-lighted.htm - 6k

Dimmed (3 Occurrences)

/d/dimmed.htm - 7k

Dimly (2 Occurrences)

/d/dimly.htm - 7k

Permanent (19 Occurrences)
... in the written word of prophecy we have something more permanent; to which you do
well to pay attention--as to a lamp shining in a dimly-lighted place--until ...
/p/permanent.htm - 12k

Attention (236 Occurrences)
... in the written word of prophecy we have something more permanent; to which you do
well to pay attention--as to a lamp shining in a dimly-lighted place--until ...
/a/attention.htm - 36k

Pay (212 Occurrences)
... in the written word of prophecy we have something more permanent; to which you do
well to pay attention--as to a lamp shining in a dimly-lighted place--until ...
/p/pay.htm - 37k

Monthly (11 Occurrences)
... IV. Sacrifices in the Pre-Mosaic Age. Out of the obscure period of origins
emerged the dimlylighted period of ancient history. ...
/m/monthly.htm - 93k

Sacrifice (300 Occurrences)
... IV. Sacrifices in the Pre-Mosaic Age. Out of the obscure period of origins
emerged the dimlylighted period of ancient history. ...
/s/sacrifice.htm - 101k

Sodomite (1 Occurrence)

/s/sodomite.htm - 101k

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