"light, Mt. 17:2; 2 Cor. 4:6; daylight, broad day, Mt. 10:27; Lk. 12:3; radiance, blaze of light, Mt. 4:16; Acts 9:3; 12:7; an instrument or means of light, a light, Mt. 6:23; Acts 16:29; a fire, Mk. 14:54; Lk. 22:56; from the Hebrew, the light of God’s presence, 2 Cor. 11:14; 1 T..."
Definition and meaning
light, Mt. 17:2; 2 Cor. 4:6; daylight, broad day, Mt. 10:27; Lk. 12:3; radiance, blaze of light, Mt. 4:16; Acts 9:3; 12:7; an instrument or means of light, a light, Mt. 6:23; Acts 16:29; a fire, Mk. 14:54; Lk. 22:56; from the Hebrew, the light of God’s presence, 2 Cor. 11:14; 1 Tim. 6:16; met. the light of Divine truth, spiritual illumination, Lk. 16:8; Jn. 3:19; Rom. 13:12; Eph. 5:8; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 Jn. 1:7; 2:8, 9, 10; a source or dispenser of spiritual light, Mt. 5:14; Jn. 1:4, 5, 7, 8, 9; 8:12; 9:5; pure radiance, perfect brightness, 1 Jn. 1:5
In the original Greek the word is written: φῶς
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 phos (G5457) across the King James Bible.
The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
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Common questions
Strong's G5457 (phos) is a Greek word that means: light, Mt. 17:2; 2 Cor. 4:6; daylight, broad day, Mt. 10:27; Lk. 12:3; radiance, blaze of light, Mt. 4:16; Acts 9:3; 12:7; an instrument or means of light, a light, Mt. 6:23; Acts 16:29; a fire, Mk. 1... It appears 59 times in the King James Bible.
The word phos (G5457) appears 59 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5457 is phos, a Greek word defined as: light, Mt. 17:2; 2 Cor. 4:6; daylight, broad day, Mt. 10:27; Lk. 12:3; radiance, blaze of light, Mt. 4:16; Acts 9:3; 12:7; an instrument or means of l. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
phos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.