Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Significance:Daylight, in the biblical context, refers to the period of natural light between sunrise and sunset. It is a recurring theme in Scripture, symbolizing God's creation, order, and the distinction between good and evil. Daylight is often associated with God's presence, guidance, and the opportunity for righteous action.
Creation and Order:The concept of daylight is introduced in the creation narrative. In
Genesis 1:3-5 , God commands, "Let there be light," and separates the light from the darkness, calling the light "day." This act establishes the cycle of day and night, reflecting God's sovereign order over creation. Daylight is thus a fundamental aspect of the created world, marking time and seasons.
Symbolism of Light and Darkness:Daylight frequently symbolizes goodness, truth, and divine revelation, contrasting with darkness, which often represents evil, ignorance, and sin. 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, daylight is metaphorically linked to spiritual enlightenment and salvation through Christ.
Guidance and Protection:Daylight is also associated with God's guidance and protection.
Psalm 119:105 states, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," illustrating how God's word provides clarity and direction, akin to the way daylight illuminates the physical world. Additionally,
Psalm 121:6 reassures believers that "the sun will not harm you by day," emphasizing God's protective care during the daylight hours.
Opportunity for Righteous Action:The Bible often encourages believers to act during the daylight, symbolizing the urgency and appropriateness of righteous deeds. In
John 9:4 , Jesus says, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work." This underscores the importance of utilizing the time of daylight for fulfilling God's purposes.
Judgment and Revelation:Daylight is also a metaphor for judgment and revelation. In
1 Corinthians 4:5 , Paul writes, "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart." Here, daylight represents the revealing nature of God's judgment, where hidden things are brought to light.
Eschatological Hope:In eschatological contexts, daylight signifies the hope of a new creation and the eternal presence of God.
Revelation 22:5 describes the New Jerusalem, stating, "There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light." This vision portrays a future where God's glory provides perpetual daylight, eliminating darkness entirely.
Practical Observations:In daily life, daylight is a time for work, community, and worship. The rhythm of daylight and darkness structures human activity, as seen in the Sabbath commandment, which includes a day of rest after six days of labor (
Exodus 20:8-11). This cycle reflects God's design for balance and rest within creation.
Conclusion:Daylight in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol of God's creative power, moral order, and redemptive plan. It serves as a reminder of God's presence, guidance, and the call to live righteously in the time given.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The light of day as opposed to the darkness of night; the light of the sun, as opposed to that of the moon or to artificial light.
2. (n.) The eyes.
Greek
827. auge -- brightness, spec.daylight...daylight. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: auge Phonetic Spelling:
(owg'-ay) Short Definition: light of day Definition: brightness,
daylight, dawn
...5457. phos -- light
... Word Origin cont. of phaos (light,daylight); from the same as phaino Definition
light NASB Word Usage fire (1), firelight (1), light (68), lights (2)....
Strong's Hebrew
5105. neharah -- a light,daylight... a light,
daylight. Transliteration: neharah Phonetic Spelling: (neh-haw-raw') Short
Definition: light.
... light. From nahar in its original sense;
daylight -- light
...5053. nogah -- brightness,daylight
... 5052, 5053. nogah. 5054 . brightness,daylight. Transliteration: nogah
Phonetic Spelling: (no'-gah) Short Definition: day. Word...
8121. shemesh -- sun
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition sun NASB Word Usage battlements (1),
daylight (1),daylight* (1), east side* (2), east* (7), sun (109), sun's (1...
216. or -- a light
... Word Origin from or Definition a light NASB Word Usage broad (1), dawn (1), dawn*
(1),daylight (1),daylight* (1), early morning (1), light (105), lightning (5...
2088. zeh -- this, here
... pronoun Definition this, here NASB Word Usage another (5), both sides* (1), both*
(1), completely* (1),daylight* (1), each side (1), either side (1), ever (3...
3117. yom -- day
... 14), course* (1), daily (22), daily the days (1), day (1115), day of the days (1),
day that the period (1), day's (6), day's every day (1),daylight* (1), days...
Library
"It isDaylight, Our Gallic Friend, and You must Get Up. ...
... Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter I. "It isdaylight, our Gallic friend, and
you must get up.? "It isdaylight, our Gallic friend, and you must get up....
Here Then are Wonderful Effects, and a Sufficient Cause, the Cross...
... Section 29. Here then are wonderful effects, and a sufficient cause, the Cross,
to account for them, as sunrise accounts fordaylight....
The Desire of the Soul in Spiritual Darkness
... At certain periods clouds and darkness cover the sun, and he beholds no clear shining
of thedaylight, but walks in darkness and sees no light....
Songs in the Night
... It is easy to sing when we can read the notes bydaylight; but the skillful singer
is he who can sing when there is not a ray of light to read by"who sings...
Appendix I.
... He made the Sun to stand still for Joshua; what refractive cloud came in and held
thedaylight that it should not go down is not made known to us; God said...
1872 the Need of a Home Further West --Burning of the Marchmont...
... "We had had a happy Sabbath. We were to have an early breakfast next morning,
and I awoke in the night thinking it wasdaylight....
No House of any Pretension to be Called a Palace is in the Least...
... And there was a very grand wood indeed beside the palace of the king who was going
to beDaylight's father; such a grand wood, that nobody yet had ever got to...
A Question for a Questioner
... Again, I say, it is wise when we are vexed with evil questioning to put down the
questions in black and white, and expose them to thedaylight....
The Resurrection of Lazarus.
... of year. There were twelve hours of thedaylight, and during thisdaylight
a man could see clearly where he was walking. Christ...
Acts XXVII
... During the entire inactivity of the crew, while swinging at anchor and waiting for
daylight, he endeavored to impart his own calmness to them all....
Thesaurus
Daylight (24 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) The eyes. Multi-Version Concordance
Daylight (24 Occurrences).
... (See NIV).
John 9:4 We must do the works of Him who sent me while there is
daylight.
...Aground (5 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:29 Fearing that we would run aground on rocky ground, they let go four
anchors from the stern, and wished fordaylight. (WEB NAS)....
Broad (113 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 Living as we do in broaddaylight, let us conduct ourselves becomingly,
not indulging in revelry and drunkenness, nor in lust and debauchery, nor...
Run (147 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:29 Fearing that we would run aground on rocky ground, they let go four anchors
from the stern, and wished fordaylight. (WEB WEY NAS RSV)....
Quarreling (17 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 Living as we do in broaddaylight, let us conduct ourselves becomingly,
not indulging in revelry and drunkenness, nor in lust and debauchery, nor...
Quiet (167 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:35 And in the morning, a long time beforedaylight, he got up and went out
to a quiet place, and there he gave himself up to prayer. (BBE)....
Quarrelling (5 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 Living as we do in broaddaylight, let us conduct ourselves becomingly,
not indulging in revelry and drunkenness, nor in lust and debauchery, nor...
Vigorous (9 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 59:10 We go on our way, like blind men feeling for the wall, even like those
who have no eyes: we are running against things indaylight as if it was...
Vigor (11 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 59:10 We go on our way, like blind men feeling for the wall, even like those
who have no eyes: we are running against things indaylight as if it was...
Ourselves (129 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 Living as we do in broaddaylight, let us conduct ourselves becomingly,
not indulging in revelry and drunkenness, nor in lust and debauchery, nor...
Resources
Does Genesis chapter 1 mean literal 24-hour days? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God punish David and Bathsheba's innocent child with death? | GotQuestions.orgCan keeping the Five Pillars of Islam get me to heaven? | GotQuestions.orgDaylight: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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