Lights
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Definition and Significance:
In the Bible, "lights" often refer to sources of illumination, both physical and spiritual. The concept of light is deeply symbolic, representing God's presence, guidance, purity, and truth. Light is contrasted with darkness, which symbolizes evil, ignorance, and sin.

Creation of Lights:
The creation of lights is first mentioned in Genesis 1:14-18, where God creates the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night, along with the stars. These celestial bodies serve as signs to mark sacred times, days, and years. "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to distinguish between the day and the night, and let them serve as signs to mark the seasons and days and years'" (Genesis 1:14).

God as Light:
God is frequently described as light in the Scriptures, symbolizing His holiness and righteousness. In 1 John 1:5, it is stated, "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" . This verse underscores the purity and perfection of God, who is devoid of any moral imperfection.

Jesus as the Light of the World:
Jesus Christ is identified as the "light of the world," a title that emphasizes His role in bringing spiritual illumination and salvation to humanity. In John 8:12, Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life" . This statement highlights Jesus' mission to dispel spiritual darkness and guide believers into eternal life.

Believers as Lights:
Believers are called to be lights in the world, reflecting the light of Christ in their lives. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus instructs His followers, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" . This passage encourages Christians to live visibly righteous lives that point others to God.

Prophetic and Eschatological Lights:
Prophetic literature often uses light imagery to describe the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom. Isaiah 60:1-3 prophesies, "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn" . This prophecy anticipates a time when God's light will draw all nations to Himself.

Light in Worship and Rituals:
In the Old Testament, light plays a significant role in worship and rituals. The menorah, a seven-branched lampstand, was a key fixture in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, symbolizing God's eternal presence among His people. Exodus 25:31-40 provides detailed instructions for its construction, emphasizing its importance in the worship of Yahweh.

Moral and Ethical Implications:
Light is also used metaphorically to describe moral and ethical living. Ephesians 5:8-9 exhorts believers, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth" . This passage calls Christians to live in a manner consistent with their identity as children of light, producing deeds that reflect God's character.

Conclusion:
The theme of light permeates the Bible, serving as a powerful symbol of God's presence, truth, and redemptive work through Jesus Christ. Believers are called to embody this light, living in a way that honors God and draws others to Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n. pl.) The lungs of an animal or bird; -- sometimes coarsely applied to the lungs of a human being.
Greek
4493. rhipe -- any rapid movement, spec. a twinkling (of lights or ...
... a twinkling (of lights or the eye). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
rhipe Phonetic Spelling: (hree-pay') Short Definition: a glance, twinkle (of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4493.htm - 6k

5457. phos -- light
... Word Origin cont. of phaos (light, daylight); from the same as phaino Definition
light NASB Word Usage fire (1), firelight (1), light (68), lights (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5457.htm - 7k

5458. phoster -- a luminary, light
... star; brilliancy. Word Origin from phos Definition a luminary, light NASB
Word Usage brilliance (1), lights (1). light. From phos ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5458.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
3974. maor -- a luminary
... Word Origin from or Definition a luminary NASB Word Usage bright (1), light
(12), lighting (2), lights (3), shining (1). bright, light. ...
/hebrew/3974.htm - 6k

224. Urim -- part of the high priest's breastplate
... Urim. Plur of 'uwr; lights; Urim, the oracular brilliancy of the figures in the
high-priest's breastplate -- Urim. see HEBREW 'uwr. 223b, 224. Urim. 225 . ...
/hebrew/224.htm - 6k

216. or -- a light
... Definition a light NASB Word Usage broad (1), dawn (1), dawn* (1), daylight (1),
daylight* (1), early morning (1), light (105), lightning (5), lights (2), sun ...
/hebrew/216.htm - 6k

Library

Lights and Shadows.
... VII. LIGHTS AND SHADOWS. The sounds of lamentation had now been heard for
four days in the desolate household. In accordance with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/vii lights and shadows.htm

Watchers, Let Your Lights be Burning,
... JUDGMENT Watchers, let your lights be burning,. tr., John Brownlie 8.7.8.7.8.8.
I. Watchers, let your lights be burning,. Soon the Bridegroom will be here; List ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/watchers let your lights be.htm

Of the Lights and Stars of Heaven --Of Day and Night, Ver. 14
... Book XIII. Chapter XVIII."Of the Lights and Stars of Heaven"Of Day and
Night, Ver. 14. 22. Thus, O Lord, thus, I beseech Thee ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter xviii of the lights and.htm

Whether the Lights of Heaven are Living Beings?
... OF THE WORK OF ADORNMENT, AS REGARDS THE FOURTH DAY (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
the lights of heaven are living beings? Objection 1 ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the lights of heaven.htm

Whether the Lights Ought to have Been Produced on the Fourth Day?
... OF THE WORK OF ADORNMENT, AS REGARDS THE FOURTH DAY (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
the lights ought to have been produced on the fourth day? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the lights ought to.htm

Oration on the Holy Lights.
... Oration XXXIX. Oration On The Holy Lights. Oration on the Holy Lights. The
Oration on the Holy Lights was preached on the Festival ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxix oration on the.htm

O Light of Lights! when Other Light is Fading,
... FAITH AND PENITENCE XXVIII O Light of lights! when other light is fading,.
11,10,11,10 Ph?s ek photos. O Light of lights! when other light is fading,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/xxviii o light of lights.htm

As Pictures are Made Curious by Lights and Shades
... THE FIRST CENTURY 41 As pictures are made curious by lights and shades.
As pictures are made curious by lights and shades, which ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/41 as pictures are made.htm

O Light of Lights Around My Pathway Shining,
... MEDITATIONS O Light of lights around my pathway shining,. tr., John Brownlie
11.4.11.4.10.10. I. O Light of lights around my pathway shining,. Brighter than ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/o light of lights around.htm

Fairest of all the Lights Above,
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CXCI Fairest of all the lights above,. Thou
Sun, whose beams adorn the spheres, And with unwearied swiftness move. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cxci fairest of all the.htm

Thesaurus
Lights (71 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lights (71 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Matthew 25:3 For the foolish,
when they took their lights, took no oil with them. (BBE). ...
/l/lights.htm - 27k

Supports (25 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:49 And the supports for the lights, five on the right side and five on
the left before the inmost room, of clear gold; and the flowers and the lights...
/s/supports.htm - 14k

Support (135 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 25:31 And you are to make a support for lights, of the best gold;
its base and its pillar are to be of hammered gold; its cups, its buds, and its ...
/s/support.htm - 36k

Light-support (4 Occurrences)
Light-support. Lights, Light-support. Light-supports . Multi-Version
Concordance Light-support (4 Occurrences). Exodus 31:8 And ...
/l/light-support.htm - 7k

Inmost (49 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:49 And the supports for the lights, five on the right side and five on
the left before the inmost room, of clear gold; and the flowers and the lights...
/i/inmost.htm - 20k

Vessels (210 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 9:2 For the first Tent was made ready, having in it the vessels for the
lights and the table and the ordering of the bread; and this is named the holy ...
/v/vessels.htm - 40k

Over-against (156 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:37 and thou hast made its seven lamps, and 'one' hath caused its lights
to go up, and it hath given light over-against its front. (YLT). ...
/o/over-against.htm - 38k

Perfumes (69 Occurrences)
... burning; (BBE). Exodus 35:8 And oil for the lights, and spices for the holy
oil and for the sweet perfumes for burning. (BBE). Exodus ...
/p/perfumes.htm - 30k

Hammered (22 Occurrences)
... Exodus 37:17 Then he made the support for the lights, all of the best gold; its
base and its pillar were of hammered gold; its cups and buds and flowers were ...
/h/hammered.htm - 13k

Light (2869 Occurrences)
... In its highest sense it is applied to Christ as the "Sun of righteousness" (Malachi
4:2; Luke 2:32; John 1:7-9). God is styled "the Father of lights" (James 1 ...
/l/light.htm - 31k

Resources
What does it mean that God is the Father of lights (James 1:17)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Diwali festival in Hinduism? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Feast of Dedication? | GotQuestions.org

Lights: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Lights (71 Occurrences)

Matthew 25:1
Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, the friends of the bride, who took their lights, and went out with the purpose of meeting the husband.
(BBE)

Matthew 25:3
For the foolish, when they took their lights, took no oil with them.
(BBE)

Matthew 25:4
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lights.
(BBE)

Matthew 25:7
Then all those virgins got up, and made ready their lights.
(BBE)

Matthew 25:8
And the foolish said to the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lights are going out.
(BBE)

Luke 8:16
"When any one lights a lamp, he does not cover it with a vessel or hide it under a couch; he puts it on a lampstand, that people who enter the room may see the light.
(WEY NIV)

Luke 11:33
"When any one lights a lamp, he never puts it in the cellar or under the bushel, but on the lampstand, that people who come in may see the light.
(WEY NIV)

Luke 11:36
If therefore thy whole body is light, not having any part dark, it shall be all light as when the lamp lights thee with its brightness.
(DBY)

Luke 12:35
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
(KJV BBE WBS)

Luke 17:24
for as the lightning that is lightening out of the one 'part' under heaven, to the other part under heaven doth shine, so shall be also the Son of Man in his day;
(See RSV NIV)

John 18:3
So Judas, getting a band of armed men and police from the chief priests and Pharisees, went there with lights and with arms.
(BBE)

Acts 16:29
He called for lights and sprang in, and, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas,
(WEB WEY ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 20:8
There were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS RSV)

Philippians 2:15
that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Hebrews 9:2
For the first Tent was made ready, having in it the vessels for the lights and the table and the ordering of the bread; and this is named the holy place.
(BBE)

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 1:12
And turning to see the voice which said these words to me, I saw seven gold vessels with lights burning in them;
(BBE)

Revelation 1:20
The secret of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and of the seven gold vessels with burning lights. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven lights are the seven churches.
(BBE)

Revelation 2:1
To the angel of the church in Ephesus say: These things says he who has the seven stars in his right hand, who is walking in the middle of the seven gold lights:
(BBE)

Revelation 11:4
These are the two olive-trees and the two lights, which are before the Lord of the earth.
(BBE)

Revelation 18:23
And never again will the shining of lights be seen in you; and the voice of the newly-married man and the bride will never again be sounding in you: for your traders were the lords of the earth, and by your evil powers were all the nations turned out of the right way.
(BBE)

Genesis 1:14
God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 1:15
and let them be for lights in the expanse of sky to give light on the earth;" and it was so.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 1:16
God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 25:31
And you are to make a support for lights, of the best gold; its base and its pillar are to be of hammered gold; its cups, its buds, and its flowers are to be made of the same metal.
(BBE)

Exodus 25:37
Then you are to make its seven vessels for the lights, putting them in their place so that they give light in front of it.
(BBE YLT)

Exodus 26:35
And outside the veil you are to put the table, and the support for the lights opposite the table on the south side of the House; and the table is to be on the north side.
(BBE)

Exodus 27:20
Give orders to the children of Israel to give you clear olive oil for the lights, so that a light may be burning there at all times.
(BBE)

Exodus 28:30
And thou hast put unto the breastplate of judgment the Lights and the Perfections, and they have been on the heart of Aaron, in his going in before Jehovah, and Aaron hath borne the judgment of the sons of Israel on his heart before Jehovah continually.
(YLT)

Exodus 30:7
And on this altar sweet spices are to be burned by Aaron every morning when he sees to the lights.
(BBE)

Exodus 30:8
When Aaron lights the lamps at evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before Yahweh throughout your generations.
(WEB BBE NIV)

Exodus 30:27
And on the table and all its vessels, and on the support for the lights, with its vessels, and on the altar for burning spices,
(BBE)

Exodus 35:8
And oil for the lights, and spices for the holy oil and for the sweet perfumes for burning.
(BBE)

Exodus 35:14
And the support for the lights, with its vessels and its lights and the oil for the light;
(BBE)

Exodus 37:17
Then he made the support for the lights, all of the best gold; its base and its pillar were of hammered gold; its cups and buds and flowers were all made out of the same metal:
(BBE)

Exodus 37:23
And he made the seven vessels for the lights, and all the necessary instruments for it, of gold.
(BBE)

Exodus 39:37
The support for the lights, with the vessels for the lights to be put in their places on it, and all its vessels, and the oil for the lights;
(BBE)

Exodus 40:4
And put the table inside, placing all the things on it in order; and put in the support for the lights, and let its lights be burning.
(BBE)

Exodus 40:24
The support for the lights he put in the Tent of meeting, opposite the table, on the south side:
(BBE)

Exodus 40:25
Lighting the lights before the Lord, as the Lord had given him orders.
(BBE)

Leviticus 8:8
and doth put on him the breastplate, and doth put unto the breastplate the Lights and the Perfections,
(YLT)

Leviticus 24:4
Let Aaron put the lights in order on the support before the Lord at all times.
(BBE YLT)

Numbers 3:31
In their care are the ark, and the table, and the lights, and the altars, and all the vessels used in the holy place, and the veil, and all they are used for.
(BBE)

Numbers 4:9
And they are to take a blue cloth, covering with it the light-support with its lights and its instruments and its trays and all the oil vessels which are used for it:
(BBE YLT)

Numbers 8:2
Say to Aaron, When you put the lights in their places, the seven lights will give light in front of the support.
(BBE YLT)

Numbers 8:3
And Aaron did so; he put the lights in their places so that they gave light in front of the support, as the Lord gave orders to Moses.
(BBE YLT)

Numbers 8:4
The support for the lights was of hammered gold work, from its base to its flowers it was of hammered work; from the design which the Lord had given to Moses, he made the support for the lights.
(BBE)

Numbers 27:21
And before Eleazar the priest he standeth, and he hath asked for him by the judgment of the Lights before Jehovah; at His word they go out, and at His word they come in; he, and all the sons of Israel with him, even all the company.'
(YLT)

Deuteronomy 19:5
as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to chop wood, and his hand fetches a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle, and lights on his neighbor, so that he dies; he shall flee to one of these cities and live:
(WEB)

1 Kings 6:4
And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.
(KJV WBS YLT)

1 Kings 7:49
And the supports for the lights, five on the right side and five on the left before the inmost room, of clear gold; and the flowers and the lights and all the instruments of gold;
(BBE)

2 Kings 25:14
And the pots and the spades and the scissors for the lights and the spoons, and all the brass vessels used in the Lord's house, they took away.
(BBE)

1 Chronicles 28:15
And gold by weight for the light-supports and the vessels for the lights, the weight of gold needed for every support and every vessel for lights; and for the silver light-supports, the weight of silver needed for every support and for the different vessels as every one was to be used;
(BBE)

2 Chronicles 4:7
And he made the ten gold supports for the lights, as directions had been given for them, and he put them in the Temple, five on the right side and five on the left.
(BBE)

2 Chronicles 4:20
And the supports for the lights with their lights, to be burning in the regular way in front of the inmost room, of the best gold;
(BBE)

2 Chronicles 4:21
The flowers and the vessels for the lights and the instruments used for them, were all of gold; it was the best gold.
(BBE)

2 Chronicles 13:11
By whom burned offerings and perfumes are sent up in smoke before the Lord every morning and every evening; and they put out the holy bread on its table and the gold support for the lights with its lights burning every evening; for we keep the orders given to us by the Lord our God, but you have gone away from him.
(BBE)

2 Chronicles 29:7
The doors of his house have been shut and the lights put out; no perfumes have been burned or offerings made to the God of Israel in his holy place.
(BBE)

Job 38:36
Who has put wisdom in the high clouds, or given knowledge to the lights of the north?
(BBE)

Job 41:19
Out of his mouth go burning lights, and flames of fire are jumping up.
(BBE)

Psalms 97:4
His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.
(WEB NIV)

Psalms 136:7
To him who made the great lights; for his loving kindness endures forever:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 25:10
And more than this, I will take from them the sound of laughing voices, the voice of joy, the voice of the newly-married man, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the stones crushing the grain, and the shining of lights.
(BBE)

Jeremiah 52:18
And the pots and the spades and the scissors for the lights and the spoons, and all the brass vessels used in the Lord's house, they took away.
(BBE)

Jeremiah 52:19
And the cups and the fire-trays and the basins and the pots and the supports for the lights and the spoons and the wide basins; the gold of the gold vessels, and the silver of the silver vessels, the captain of the armed men took away.
(BBE)

Ezekiel 32:8
All the bright lights of the sky will I make dark over you, and set darkness on your land, says the Lord Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 10:6
And his body was like the beryl, and his face had the look of a thunder-flame, and his eyes were like burning lights, and his arms and feet like the colour of polished brass, and the sound of his voice was like the sound of an army.
(BBE)

Nahum 2:4
The war-carriages are rushing through the streets, pushing against one another in the wide ways, looking like burning lights, running like thunder-flames.
(BBE)

Zephaniah 1:12
And it will come about at that time, that I will go searching through Jerusalem with lights; and I will send punishment on the men who have become like wine stored over-long, who say to themselves, The Lord will not do good and will not do evil.
(BBE YLT)

Zechariah 4:2
And he said to me, What do you see? And I said, I see a light-support, made all of gold, with its cup on the top of it and seven lights on it; and there are seven pipes to every one of the lights which are on the top of it;
(BBE YLT NIV)

Zechariah 4:10
For who has had a poor opinion of the day of small things? for they will be glad when they see the weighted measuring-line in the hand of Zerubbabel. Then he said in answer to me, These seven lights are the eyes of the Lord which go quickly up and down through all the earth.
(BBE)

Subtopics

Lights

Select Readings: Lights and Shadows

Related Terms

Lights (71 Occurrences)

Light-supports (1 Occurrence)

Trays (3 Occurrences)

Supplied (22 Occurrences)

Instruments (136 Occurrences)

Supply (40 Occurrences)

Spices (64 Occurrences)

Covering (191 Occurrences)

Burning (415 Occurrences)

Cup (86 Occurrences)

Lightnings
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