Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and General Understanding:Luster, in a biblical context, refers to the quality of shining or radiance, often symbolizing purity, holiness, and divine presence. It is associated with the glory and majesty of God, as well as the beauty and splendor of His creation. The concept of luster can be both literal, as in the physical brightness of light, and metaphorical, representing spiritual illumination and moral excellence.
Biblical References and Themes:1.
Divine Glory and Presence: The Bible frequently uses imagery of light and radiance to describe God's glory. In
Exodus 34:29-30 , when Moses descended from Mount Sinai, his face shone with a radiant luster after speaking with God, reflecting the divine presence: "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD."
2.
Creation's Splendor: The natural world is often depicted as reflecting God's luster.
Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." This verse highlights the brilliance and beauty of creation as a testament to God's majesty.
3.
Christ as the Light: Jesus Christ is described as the light of the world, embodying divine luster. In
John 8:12 , Jesus states, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life." This metaphor emphasizes Christ's role in illuminating truth and guiding believers.
4.
Spiritual Illumination: Believers are called to reflect God's luster in their lives.
Matthew 5:14-16 encourages Christians to be a light to the world: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
5.
Heavenly Radiance: The Book of Revelation describes the New Jerusalem with imagery of luster and brilliance.
Revelation 21:11 portrays the city as having "the glory of God, its radiance like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal." This vision underscores the ultimate fulfillment of God's glory and the eternal luster of His kingdom.
Theological Implications:Luster, as a biblical theme, underscores the holiness and purity of God, the transformative power of Christ, and the call for believers to live in a way that reflects divine light. It serves as a reminder of the inherent beauty and majesty of God's creation and His redemptive work through Jesus Christ. The concept encourages Christians to pursue a life of righteousness, allowing God's luster to shine through their actions and witness to the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One who lusts.
2. (n.) Alt. of Lustre.
3. (v. t.) Alt. of Lustre.
Greek
796. astrape -- lightning, brightness... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: astrape Phonetic Spelling: (as-trap-ay')
Short Definition: a flash of lightning, brightness,
luster Definition: a
...5462. photismos -- illumination
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: photismos Phonetic Spelling:
(fo-tis-mos') Short Definition: light,luster, illumination Definition: light...
Strong's Hebrew
2892b. tohar -- clearness,luster... clearness,
luster. Transliteration: tohar Short Definition: splendor. Word Origin
from taher Definition clearness,
luster NASB Word Usage splendor (1).
...Library
"Shine Inside"
... Scott said, "Yes, theluster is there [in the photograph], but it is not lighted
up." Now, there are some boys' and girls' faces that have aluster, but it is...
Saurin -- Paul Before Felix and Drusilla
... 19.) Nevertheless, they show I know not what superiority of birth. Their glory
is not so concealed but we sometimes perceive itsluster!...
Argument. From the Prison they are Led Forth with Joy into the...
... Perpetua followed with placid look, and with step and gait as a matron of Christ,
beloved of God; casting down theluster of her eyes from the gaze of all....
Book Three the Story of his Student Days in Carthage, his...
... loved. Thus I polluted the spring of friendship with the filth of
concupiscence and I dimmed itsluster with the slime of lust....
Walking with God
... All eminent for their faith, but some shining with a greater degree ofluster
than do others. The proto-martyr Abel leads the van....
Abraham's Offering up his Son Isaac
... shines the brightest, and differs from the others, as one star differeth from another
star in glory; for he shone with such distinguishedluster, that he was...
Introduction
... Then were they enabled to take a stand among the sister colonies, as another star
in the bright constellation which began to shed aluster in this western...
The Neo-Kohlbruggians.
... apparent. In like manner, man was withoutluster until God put him in the
shining glory of His image, and then he appeared beautiful....
The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
... In those days Egypt occupied the position subsequently attained by Nineveh, Babylon,
Macedonia, and Rome; it was the embodiment of all theluster and glory...
Sin a Power in Reversed Action.
... So is the human nature; deprived of itsluster, checked in its normal activity,
internally sore and foul, yet it is the human nature....
Thesaurus
Luster (2 Occurrences)... of Lustre. Multi-Version Concordance
Luster (2 Occurrences). Psalms 132:18 His haters
will be clothed with shame; but I will make his crown shining. (See RSV).
...Glitter (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To sparkle with light; to shine with a brilliant
and broken light or showyluster; to gleam; as, a glittering sword....
Illustrious (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Possessingluster or brightness; brilliant; luminous; splendid.... 3. (a.)
Conferringluster or honor; renowned; as, illustrious deeds or titles. Int....
Tarnish (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (v.) To soil or diminish the appearance of, especially induced by the air, or
by dust, or the like; to diminish, dull, or destroy theluster of; to sully; as...
Eclipse
... 2. (n.) The loss, usually temporary or partial, of light, brilliancy,luster,
honor, consciousness, etc.; obscuration; gloom; darkness....
Dim (22 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Not bright or distinct; wanting luminousness or clearness; obscure
inluster or sound; dusky; darkish; obscure; indistinct; overcast; tarnished....
Pearl (5 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliantluster, with
varying tints, found in the mantle, or between the mantle and shell, of...
Pale (16 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) Not bright or brilliant; of a faintluster or hue; dim; as, the pale light
of the moon.... 4. (vi) To turn pale; to lose color orluster....
Polish (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To make smooth and glossy, usually by friction; to burnish; to overspread
withluster; as, to polish glass, marble, metals, etc....
Brighten (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) To make bright or brighter; to make to
shine; to increase theluster of; to give a brighter hue to....
Resources
Who was John Foxe? What is Foxe's Book of Martyrs? | GotQuestions.orgLuster: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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