Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LIGHT

Light (Heb. ʾôr) is God’s creation (Gen. 1:3-5), further distinguished as the lights of the firmament, the sun, moon, and stars (vv. 14-18). “Light” can refer literally to morning light or dawn (Gen. 44:3; Judg. 16:2; 19:26; 1 Sam. 14:36) and to the light of a lamp or fire (Exod. 25:37; Num. 4:16; Neh. 9:12, 19).

Light is used figuratively as a symbol of life. To “see light” is to live (Job 3:16; Ps. 49:19), to walk in the “light of life” (Ps. 56:13[MT 14]; Job 33:30), to have that light reflected in one’s eyes (Prov. 29:13). Light may be a symbol of prosperity or happiness (Esth. 8:16), which is the lot of the righteous (Ps. 97:11; Prov. 13:9), embodying God’s special favor or blessing (e.g., Num. 6:25; Ps. 89:15[16]). It is a symbol of illumination, whether bringing hidden things to light (Job 28:11; Ps. 90:8) or shedding the light of instruction (Ps. 119:105, 130; Prov. 6:23). Light is also a symbol of God’s majesty, of the divine glory (Ps. 104:2; Isa. 60:1-3, 19-20) which shines in deliverance (Ps. 27:1; Isa. 9:2; 60:20) or in the fire of judgment (Isa. 10:17; but cf. judgment as the withholding of light; 13:10; Jer. 4:23; Ezek. 32:7; Amos 5:18-20).

In the NT “light” (Gk. phṓs) is used literally to denote the radiance of the sun (Rev. 22:5), of a lamp or a torch (Luke 8:16; Acts 16:29), as well as visible light that accompanies divine presence on earth (Matt. 17:2; Acts 9:3; 12:7) or in heaven (Rev. 21:24; 22:5). By extension of the literal sense, to do something “in the light” means to do it openly (Matt. 10:27).

Figurative uses of the term include a definite ethical component (2 Cor. 6:14), so that the righteous are said to be “full of light” (Matt. 6:22; Luke 11:36) and are to radiate this light in the form of good works (Matt. 5:16), righteousness, truth (Eph. 5:8-10), and demonstrations of love (1 John 2:8-9). In this sense they are “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14), “children of light” (Eph. 5:8; Luke 16:8), walking in the light (John 12:35; 1 John 1:7). “Light” also describes various aspects of salvation in Christ. This light shines in the witness of John the Baptist (Luke 1:79; John 5:35), Paul (Acts 13:47), and the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4) to Jesus, who is the “light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32), the true Light (John 1:9), the “light of the world” (8:12; 9:5; 12:46) who brings his followers the “light of life” (8:12). A chosen people stands in the marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9) of One who is light (1 John 1:5) and “dwells in unapproachable light” (1 Tim. 6:16). Light also is associated with the various aspects of divine judgment, exposing human intentions (1 Cor. 4:5) and the “unfruitful deeds of darkness” (Eph. 5:11-13). In the Fourth Gospel light facilitates the discriminating function of judgment by provoking the rejection and hatred of those who love darkness and remain in it (John 3:19-20), a reaction which will assure their fate in the end (12:46-50).

Robert Delsnyder

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LIGHT

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)