Ray
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Definition and Etymology:
The term "ray" in a biblical context is not directly mentioned in the scriptures. However, the concept of light, which a ray is a part of, is a significant theme throughout the Bible. The word "ray" itself is derived from the Old French "rai," which means a beam or line of light.

Biblical Significance:
In the Bible, light is often used metaphorically to represent purity, truth, and the presence of God. A ray, as a part of light, can be seen as a symbol of divine revelation and guidance. The imagery of light is prevalent in both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating God's holiness and the illumination of His truth to humanity.

Scriptural References:

1. Creation and Light:
In the account of creation, light is the first thing God creates. Genesis 1:3 states, "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." This passage underscores the foundational role of light in God's creation, symbolizing order and life emerging from chaos and darkness.

2. God as Light:
The Bible frequently describes God Himself as light. In 1 John 1:5 , it is written, "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 highlights the purity and perfection of God, with light representing His unblemished nature.

3. Jesus as the Light of the World:
Jesus Christ is referred to as the "light of the world," a title that signifies His role in bringing spiritual illumination and salvation. 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." Here, the light is a metaphor for the truth and life that Jesus offers to those who believe in Him.

4. Guidance and Revelation:
Light, and by extension rays of light, are often used to symbolize divine guidance and revelation. Psalm 119:105 states, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." This verse emphasizes the role of God's word in providing direction and clarity in the believer's life.

5. The Transfiguration:
During the Transfiguration of Jesus, His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2). This event is a powerful demonstration of Jesus' divine nature and glory, with the rays of light symbolizing His heavenly majesty.

Theological Implications:
The concept of light, and by extension rays of light, is deeply embedded in Christian theology. It represents the presence and action of God in the world, the revelation of His truth, and the moral and spiritual enlightenment that comes from a relationship with Him. Believers are called to walk in the light, reflecting God's holiness and truth in their lives.

Practical Application:
Christians are encouraged to be "children of light" (Ephesians 5:8), living in a way that reflects the light of Christ to the world. This involves embracing truth, righteousness, and love, and rejecting the darkness of sin and ignorance. The imagery of light serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God's presence in the believer's life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (v. t.) To array.

2. (v. t.) To mark, stain, or soil; to streak; to defile.

3. (n.) Array; order; arrangement; dress.

4. (n.) One of a number of lines or parts diverging from a common point or center, like the radii of a circle; as, a star of six rays.

5. (n.) A radiating part of a flower or plant; the marginal florets of a compound flower, as an aster or a sunflower; one of the pedicels of an umbel or other circular flower cluster; radius. See Radius.

6. (n.) One of the radiating spines, or cartilages, supporting the fins of fishes.

7. (n.) One of the spheromeres of a radiate, especially one of the arms of a starfish or an ophiuran.

8. (n.) A line of light or heat proceeding from a radiant or reflecting point; a single element of light or heat propagated continuously; as, a solar ray; a polarized ray.

9. (n.) One of the component elements of the total radiation from a body; any definite or limited portion of the spectrum; as, the red ray; the violet ray.

10. (n.) Sight; perception; vision; -- from an old theory of vision, that sight was something which proceeded from the eye to the object seen.

11. (n.) One of a system of diverging lines passing through a point, and regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions. See Half-ray.

12. (n.) To mark with long lines; to streak.

13. (n.) To send forth or shoot out; to cause to shine out; as, to ray smiles.

14. (v. i.) To shine, as with rays.

15. (n.) Any one of numerous elasmobranch fishes of the order Raiae, including the skates, torpedoes, sawfishes, etc.

16. (n.) In a restricted sense, any of the broad, flat, narrow-tailed species, as the skates and sting rays. See Skate.

Greek
1506. eilikrines -- judged by sunlight, unalloyed, pure
... Word Origin of uncertain origin, perhaps from heile (the sun's ray) and krino
Definition judged by sunlight, unalloyed, pure NASB Word Usage sincere (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1506.htm - 7k

1516. eirenikos -- peaceful
... peaceful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eirenikos Phonetic Spelling:
(i-ray-nee-kos') Short Definition: peaceable, disposed to peace Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1516.htm - 6k

2602. katabole -- a laying down
... all people can Him. This was laid down before the first ray of sunshine or
drop of water touched the earth. Word Origin from kataballo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2602.htm - 7k

4551. Sapphire -- Sapphira, a Christian woman
... Sapphira, a Christian woman. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Sapphire
Phonetic Spelling: (sap-fi'-ray) Short Definition: Sapphira Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4551.htm - 6k

2956. Kurenaios -- of Cyrene
... of Cyrene. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Kurenaios Phonetic Spelling:
(koo-ray-nah'-yos) Short Definition: belonging to Cyrene, a Cyrenaean ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2956.htm - 6k

1517. eirenopoieo -- to make peace
... to make peace. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eirenopoieo Phonetic Spelling:
(i-ray-nop-oy-eh'-o) Short Definition: I make peace, reconcile Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1517.htm - 6k

5084. teresis -- a watching, hence imprisonment, a keeping
... a watching, hence imprisonment, a keeping. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: teresis Phonetic Spelling: (tay'-ray-sis) Short Definition: a prison ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5084.htm - 7k

1515. eirene -- one, peace, quietness, rest.
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: eirene Phonetic Spelling:
(i-ray'-nay) Short Definition: peace, peace of mind Definition: peace, peace of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1515.htm - 7k

3916. parachrema -- instantly
... instantly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: parachrema Phonetic Spelling:
(par-akh-ray'-mah) Short Definition: instantly, immediately Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3916.htm - 6k

671. apochresis -- abuse, misuse
... abuse, misuse. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apochresis Phonetic
Spelling: (ap-okh'-ray-sis) Short Definition: using up Definition: using up ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/671.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
7453. rea -- friend, companion, fellow
rea or rea. 7452, 7453. rea or rea. 7454 . friend, companion, fellow.
Transliteration: rea or rea Phonetic Spelling: (ray'-ah) Short Definition: neighbor. ...
/hebrew/7453.htm - 6k

6981. Qore -- "crier," two Levites
... 6980, 6981. Qore. 6982 . "crier," two Levites. Transliteration: Qore Phonetic
Spelling: (ko-ray') Short Definition: Kore. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6981.htm - 6k

7381. reyach -- to smell, perceive odor
... 7380, 7381. reyach. 7381a . to smell, perceive odor. Transliteration: reyach
Phonetic Spelling: (ray'-akh) Short Definition: savour. savour, scent, smell ...
/hebrew/7381.htm - 5k

3373. yare -- afraid, fearful
... 3372b, 3373. yare. 3374 . afraid, fearful. Transliteration: yare Phonetic Spelling:
(yaw-ray') Short Definition: afraid. Word Origin the same as yare, qv. ...
/hebrew/3373.htm - 5k

3394. yareach -- moon
... 3393, 3394. yareach. 3395 . moon. Transliteration: yareach Phonetic
Spelling: (yaw-ray'-akh) Short Definition: moon. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/3394.htm - 6k

7382. reach -- a smell
... 7381b, 7382. reach. 7383 . a smell. Transliteration: reach Phonetic Spelling:
(ray'-akh) Short Definition: smell. Word Origin (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/7382.htm - 6k

4095. madregah -- steep place, a steep
... 4094b, 4095. madregah. 4096 . steep place, a steep. Transliteration: madregah
Phonetic Spelling: (mad-ray-gaw') Short Definition: pathway. ...
/hebrew/4095.htm - 6k

4828. merea -- friend, companion
... 4827, 4828. merea. 4829 . friend, companion. Transliteration: merea Phonetic
Spelling: (may-ray'-ah) Short Definition: companion. ...
/hebrew/4828.htm - 6k

7225. reshith -- beginning, chief
... 7224, 7225. reshith. 7226 . beginning, chief. Transliteration: reshith
Phonetic Spelling: (ray-sheeth') Short Definition: beginning. ...
/hebrew/7225.htm - 6k

7143. Qareach -- "bald one," a man of Judah
... 7142, 7143. Qareach. 7144 . "bald one," a man of Judah. Transliteration: Qareach
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-ray'-akh) Short Definition: Kareah. ...
/hebrew/7143.htm - 6k

Library

The Ray and the Reflection
... I. JOHN THE RAY AND THE REFLECTION. 'We love Him, because He first loved
us.'"1 John 4:19. Very simple words! but they go down ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the ray and the reflection.htm

Though the Son or Word of God Emanates from the Father, He is Not ...
... For God sent forth the Word, as the Paraclete also declares, just as the root puts
forth the tree, and the fountain the river, and the sun the ray. ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter viii though the son or.htm

Letter R
... Located 1806 * Rawleigh, Samuel L. "Received 1810, Located 1815 * Rawson, Silas
"Received 1837 * Rawson, James "Received 1833 * Ray, Anderson "Received ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter r.htm

But Having Asserted that Our Religion is Supported by the Writings ...
... Even when the ray is shot from the sun, it is still part of the parent mass; the
sun will still be in the ray, because it is a ray of the sun"there is no ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xxi but having asserted.htm

Introduction.
... He took his BA degree in 1648, and in 1649 was elected to a fellowship of Trinity,
on the same day with his most intimate college friend John Ray, the botanist ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/introduction.htm

Geo. H. Stewart visits a Doomed Criminal.
... said, "Mr. Stewart, I want you to go to such a prison and tell that man for whose
execution I signed the warrant the other day, that there is not a ray of hope ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/geo h stewart visits a.htm

Of the Christian Religion, and of the Union of Jesus with the ...
... is as it were an overflowing fountain, the latter [888] as a stream flowing forth
from it: the former as the sun, the latter as it were a ray [889] extended ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxix of the christian religion.htm

Jesus Confined in the Subterranean Prison.
... The day was beginning to dawn,"the day of his Passion, of our Redemption,"and a
faint ray penetrating the narrow vent-hole of the prison, fell upon the ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xii jesus confined in.htm

The First Order of Production Maintained by the Heretics is ...
... If, however, they affirm [that this emission took place] just as a ray proceeds
from the sun, then, as the subjacent air which receives the ray must have had ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xiii the first order of.htm

To My Fellow Presbyter, Timothy, Dionysius the Presbyter.
... superessentiality above reason and mind and essence"to, it must we attribute the
superessential science, so far aspiring to the Highest, as the ray of the ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput i to my fellow.htm

Thesaurus
Ray (2 Occurrences)
... A line of light or heat proceeding from a radiant or reflecting point; a single
element of light or heat propagated continuously; as, a solar ray; a polarized ...
/r/ray.htm - 8k

Beam (17 Occurrences)
... 11. (n.) A ray or collection of parallel rays emitted from the sun or
other luminous body; as, a beam of light, or of heat. 12. ...
/b/beam.htm - 17k

Sting (5 Occurrences)
... The sting of a bee or wasp is a modified ovipositor. The caudal sting,
or spine, of a sting ray is a modified dorsal fin ray. The ...
/s/sting.htm - 10k

Vanishing (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:20 Then, when for several days neither sun nor stars were seen and the terrific
gale still harassed us, the last ray of hope was now vanishing. (WEY). ...
/v/vanishing.htm - 7k

Gale (8 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 27:20 Then, when for several days neither sun nor stars were seen and
the terrific gale still harassed us, the last ray of hope was now vanishing. ...
/g/gale.htm - 9k

Gleam (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To disgorge filth, as a hawk. 2. (n.) A shoot of light; a small stream of
light; a beam; a ray; a glimpse. 3. (n.) Brightness; splendor. ...
/g/gleam.htm - 8k

Incident (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A specific happening or event. 2. (a.) Falling
or striking upon, as a ray of light upon a reflecting surface. ...
/i/incident.htm - 8k

Terrific (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 27:20 Then, when for several days neither sun nor stars were seen and the terrific
gale still harassed us, the last ray of hope was now vanishing. (WEY). ...
/t/terrific.htm - 6k

Ring (33 Occurrences)
... used for taking the sun's altitude, consisting of a brass ring suspended by a swivel,
with a hole at one side through which a solar ray entering indicated the ...
/r/ring.htm - 24k

Rawboned (1 Occurrence)

/r/rawboned.htm - 6k

Resources
Is the 'Way of the Master' evangelism method biblical? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian view the idea of Mars colonization? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God's mercies are new every morning? | GotQuestions.org

Ray: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Ray (2 Occurrences)

Acts 27:20
Then, when for several days neither sun nor stars were seen and the terrific gale still harassed us, the last ray of hope was now vanishing.
(WEY)

Amos 5:20
Won't the day of Yahweh be darkness, and not light? Even very dark, and no brightness in it?
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Ray

Related Terms

Ray (2 Occurrences)

Radiant (14 Occurrences)

Shade (67 Occurrences)

Reflect (6 Occurrences)

Rainbow (6 Occurrences)

Morning (264 Occurrences)

Sunshine (4 Occurrences)

Hind (4 Occurrences)

Astronomy

Heat (104 Occurrences)

Shine (62 Occurrences)

Vessel (118 Occurrences)

Nephthar

Nephthai

Oak (22 Occurrences)

Juniper (7 Occurrences)

Litter (1 Occurrence)

Golden (86 Occurrences)

Glory (590 Occurrences)

Grass (92 Occurrences)

Gleam (5 Occurrences)

Willows (5 Occurrences)

Window (24 Occurrences)

Wings (81 Occurrences)

White (756 Occurrences)

Image (126 Occurrences)

Ice (20 Occurrences)

Fish (66 Occurrences)

Fin

Flashing (12 Occurrences)

Flashed (12 Occurrences)

Testaments

Transparent (7 Occurrences)

Twilight (25 Occurrences)

Radiance (9 Occurrences)

Raze (1 Occurrence)

Reflection (3 Occurrences)

Dispersion (4 Occurrences)

Moon (70 Occurrences)

Mirror (4 Occurrences)

Parched (37 Occurrences)

Pencil (1 Occurrence)

Beam (17 Occurrences)

Bee (1 Occurrence)

Between (2624 Occurrences)

Blue (51 Occurrences)

Colour (22 Occurrences)

Code (6 Occurrences)

Aspect (10 Occurrences)

Afternoon (9 Occurrences)

Starry (14 Occurrences)

Shining (115 Occurrences)

Shadow (72 Occurrences)

Sun (1708 Occurrences)

Sharpen (8 Occurrences)

Shooting (13 Occurrences)

Sunlight (5 Occurrences)

Sensitive (2 Occurrences)

Veiled (23 Occurrences)

Herod (45 Occurrences)

Sunrise (25 Occurrences)

Burning (415 Occurrences)

Mind (615 Occurrences)

Appeareth (31 Occurrences)

Calf (39 Occurrences)

Horn (108 Occurrences)

Hammurabi

Star (16 Occurrences)

Magi (4 Occurrences)

Splendor (87 Occurrences)

Prophets (270 Occurrences)

Prophecy (37 Occurrences)

Table (125 Occurrences)

Money (284 Occurrences)

Persian (4 Occurrences)

Phoenicians

Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)

Rawboned
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