The significance of ‘Light’ in the Bible
Copyright 2024 by Joan Berry
The word ‘light’ appears approximately177 times in the Old Testament and 95 times in the New Testament. These figures only represent the use of ‘light’ inferring God and Jesus and the figures depend on the version of the Bible. The Apologetics Study Bible: Christian Standard Bible was the reference in this short essay.
The first use of ‘light’ appears in Genesis 1.3 at the Creation when God said “Let there be light.” 1* Other references show God and Jesus proclaiming they are ‘light’– not like ‘light’ but, are ‘light.’ The concept of ‘light’ is profound and significant in that it symbolizes the presence of God and Jesus 2* Additionally, it also represents guidance, purity, holiness, and divine nature that illuminates the path of the believers.
Furthermore, ‘light’ is much like the Holy Spirit due to its association with guidance, clarity, understanding, and righteousness. Life and salvation are connected to ‘light’ overcoming the darkness of evil and sin. Jesus is called ‘the light of the world.’ He brought eternal life saving people from spiritual darkness. 3*
‘Light’ is also acknowledged as wisdom and revelation enlightening minds and hearts to comprehend divine mysteries and truths. Enlightenment and ‘light’ are not the same but are related. They share a common theme of illumination whether it be literal or metaphoric. Enlightenment can be seen as the eternal counterpart to the eternal reality of ‘light’ Enlightenment generally infers to a state of understanding or awareness after being achieved through insight as intellectual insight. 4-5*
Following are examples of ‘light’ inferring God and Jesus:
John 8:12 – “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
John 1:5 – “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
1 John 1: – “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Charismatics of Light
That holy light of God and Jesus gives to believers i Illumination, guidance, protection, wisdom, truth, divinity, hope, renewal, positivism, and transformation.
Sources
1*Microsoft Copilot, (as of December 7, 2024). [figures and definitions].
2* The Apologetics Study Bible: Christian Standard Bible. (2017). Nashville TN.
3*https://scripturesavvy.com/lighthouse/
4*https://shunspirit.com/article/biblical-meaning-of-light-in-dreams
5* https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-does-the-bible-mean-by-god- is-light.html
Other Sources
Psalms 18.28 and 119.130; Isiah 9.2 and 42.6-7; John 12.26; Luke 8.16; 2 Corinthians 4.6; Rev 22.5.