Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "lighten" in the Bible often refers to the act of making something lighter, either in weight or in brightness. It can denote the alleviation of burdens or the illumination of darkness. The concept of lightening is both physical and metaphorical, symbolizing relief, understanding, and divine presence.
Biblical References:1.
Physical Lightening: In the context of physical burdens, "lighten" is used to describe the reduction of weight or load. For example, in
Exodus 18:22, Jethro advises Moses to appoint judges to help him, saying, "Let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you." This advice was intended to lighten Moses' load by sharing the responsibilities of leadership.
2.
Spiritual and Emotional Lightening: The Bible frequently uses "lighten" to describe the alleviation of spiritual or emotional burdens. In
Psalm 38:4, David laments, "For my iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are a burden too heavy to bear." The plea for forgiveness and divine intervention is a request for God to lighten the burden of sin.
3.
Illumination and Enlightenment: "Lighten" is also used in the sense of bringing light or understanding. In
Psalm 13:3, David prays, "Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death." Here, the request is for God to enlighten his understanding and provide clarity in times of distress.
4.
Divine Presence and Guidance: The presence of God is often associated with light, which lightens the path of believers. In
John 1:9, it is written, "The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world." This passage refers to Jesus Christ as the Light who enlightens humanity, offering guidance and salvation.
5.
Metaphorical Lightening: In a metaphorical sense, "lighten" can refer to the easing of life's trials through faith and trust in God.
Matthew 11:30 states, "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Jesus invites believers to take on His yoke, promising that it will lighten their burdens through His strength and support.
Theological Significance:The concept of lightening in the Bible underscores the transformative power of God's presence and intervention. It highlights the relief that comes from divine assistance, whether in the form of physical help, spiritual enlightenment, or emotional comfort. The imagery of lightening burdens and illuminating darkness serves as a powerful reminder of God's role as a source of strength and guidance for believers. Through faith, individuals can experience the lightening of their burdens and the illumination of their paths, drawing closer to the divine purpose and understanding.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To descend; to light.
2. (v. i.) To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to display a flash or flashes of lightning; to flash.
3. (v. i.) To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to brighten; to clear, as the sky.
4. (v. t.) To make light or clear; to light; to illuminate; as, to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets.
5. (v. t.) To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten.
6. (v. t.) To emit or disclose in, or as in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.
7. (v. t.) To free from trouble and fill with joy.
8. (v. t.) To make lighter, or less heavy; to reduce in weight; to relieve of part of a load or burden; as, to lighten a ship by unloading; to lighten a load or burden.
9. (v. t.) To make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as, to lighten the cares of life or the burden of grief.
10. (v. t.) To cheer; to exhilarate.
Greek
797. astrapto -- tolighten, flash forth... to
lighten, flash forth. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: astrapto Phonetic
Spelling: (as-trap'-to) Short Definition: I flash, am lustrous Definition: I
...2893. kouphizo -- to make light (in weight)
... to make light (in weight). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kouphizo Phonetic
Spelling: (koo-fid'-zo) Short Definition: Ilighten Definition: Ilighten...
1546. ekbole -- a throwing out, ie spec. a throwing overboard (of...
... ekbole Phonetic Spelling: (ek-bol-ay') Short Definition: a throwing out, a jettisoning
Definition: a throwing out, a jettisoning of cargo tolighten a ship....
5316. phaino -- to bring to light, to cause to appear
... Prolongation for the base of phos; tolighten (shine), ie Show (transitive or
intransitive, literal or figurative) -- appear, seem, be seen, shine, X think....
4160. poieo -- to make, do
... continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil,
gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, +lighten the ship...
1823. exastrapto -- to flash or gleam like lightning, be radiant
... glistening. From ek and astrapto; tolighten forth, ie (figuratively) to be radiant
(of very white garments) -- glistening. see GREEK ek. see GREEK astrapto....
602. apokalupsis -- an uncovering
... appearing, coming, manifestation, revelation. From apokalupto; disclosure -- appearing,
coming,lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation....
Strong's Hebrew
965. bazaq -- a lightning flash... flash of lightning. From an unused root meaning to
lighten; a flash of lightning --
flash of lightning. 964, 965. bazaq. 966 . Strong's Numbers.
7043. qalal -- to be slight, swift or trifling
... cursed (16), curses (8), cursing (2), despise (1), despised (2), ease (1), easier
(1), easy (2), insignificant (1), light a thing (1),lighten (5), lightly...
5050. nagah -- to shine
... enlighten, cause to shine. A primitive root; to glitter; causatively, to illuminate --
(en-)lighten, (cause to) shine. 5049, 5050. nagah. 5051 ....
1299. baraq -- to flash (of lightning)
... root Definition to flash (of lightning) NASB Word Usage flash forth (1). cast forth.
A primitive root; tolighten (lightning) -- cast forth. 1298, 1299....
Library
A Light toLighten the Gentiles
... A Light toLighten the Gentiles. PG...
Carol. CMD A Light toLighten the Gentiles.
... 95 Carol. CMD A Light toLighten the Gentiles. A Light toLighten the Gentiles.
(203) The race that long in darkness pine Have seen...
Psalm LXVII.
... granted by Himself.... 2. "Lighten His countenance upon us." Thou wast
perchance going to enquire, what is "bless us"? In many ways...
Teaching in the Temple on the Octave of the Feast of Tabernacles.
... were made wide within and narrow without, it was the opposite in the Temple of Solomon,
because the light issuing from the Sanctuary was tolighten that which...
December the Nineteenth the Sun of Righteousness
... DECEMBER The Nineteenth THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. "A light tolighten the
Gentiles." "Luke 2:25-40. That was the wonder of wonders....
Epiphany 92. From the Eastern Mountains
... Ere the worlds began,. Draw thou near, andlighten. Every heart of man. There their
Lord and Savior.... Onward on their way,. Ever now tolighten. Nations from afar...
Heaven.
... CHRIST THE GLORY OF HEAVEN. "For the glory of God didlighten it, and the Lamb is
the light thereof." Mark, though now there shall be no need of temple, sun...
Consolation Proportionate to Spiritual Sufferings
... SEEK ye rest from your distresses ye children of woe and sorrow ? This is the
place where ye maylighten your burden, and lose your cares....
The Dedication
... in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou
hast prepared before the face of all people; a light tolighten the Gentiles...
Sin Overcoming and Overcome
... that you have an element of demerit and of liability to consequent evil and suffering
which you are perfectly powerless to touch or tolighten in the slightest...
Thesaurus
Lighten (19 Occurrences)... 4. (vt) To make light or clear; to light; to illuminate; as, to
lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to
lighten the streets.
...Lightens (4 Occurrences)
... world. (Root in WEB DBY NAS RSV). 2 Samuel 22:29 For Thou art my lamp, O LORD;
and the LORD dothlighten my darkness. (See RSV). Psalms...
Lightened (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofLighten. Multi-Version Concordance
Lightened (11 Occurrences). Luke 11:34 The lamp of the...
Lighted (36 Occurrences)
Jettison (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (v.) To discard; To disencumber; as, to jettison goods
in order tolighten a vessel in danger of wreck. Multi-Version Concordance...
Lighter (10 Occurrences)
... people at all times; and it hath come to pass, every great matter they bring in
unto thee, and every small matter they judge themselves; andlighten it from...
Likenesses (4 Occurrences)
... shall make images of your tumors, and images of your mice that mar the land; and
you shall give glory to the God of Israel: perhaps he willlighten his hand...
Israel (27466 Occurrences)
... and the other tribes broke out anew, and Jeroboam was sent for from Egypt by the
malcontents (12:2, 3). Rehoboam insolently refused tolighten the burdensome...
Tumors (8 Occurrences)
... shall make images of your tumors, and images of your mice that mar the land; and
you shall give glory to the God of Israel: perhaps he willlighten his hand...
Task (37 Occurrences)
... at all times; and it shall be that they shall bring to thee every great matter,
and that they shall judge every small matter, and they shalllighten the task...
Resources
Who was King Rehoboam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Polycarp? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Key of Solomon? | GotQuestions.orgLighten: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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