"to shine, give light, Mt. 5:15, 16; 17:2; to flash, shine, Lk. 17:24; Acts 12:7; 2 Cor. 4:6*"
Definition and meaning
to shine, give light, Mt. 5:15, 16; 17:2; to flash, shine, Lk. 17:24; Acts 12:7; 2 Cor. 4:6*
In the original Greek the word is written: λάμπω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of lampo (G2989) across the King James Bible.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
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Common questions
Strong's G2989 (lampo) is a Greek word that means: to shine, give light, Mt. 5:15, 16; 17:2; to flash, shine, Lk. 17:24; Acts 12:7; 2 Cor. 4:6* It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word lampo (G2989) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2989 is lampo, a Greek word defined as: to shine, give light, Mt. 5:15, 16; 17:2; to flash, shine, Lk. 17:24; Acts 12:7; 2 Cor. 4:6*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
lampo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.