Topical Encyclopedia
Sunshine, as a natural phenomenon, holds significant symbolic and literal importance in the Bible. It is often associated with God's creation, His blessings, and His presence. The sun, as the source of sunshine, is a testament to God's power and the order He established in the universe.
Creation and OrderIn the account of creation, the sun is established by God to govern the day.
Genesis 1:16 states, "God made two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars." Sunshine, therefore, is a part of the divine order, marking the passage of time and seasons, as noted in
Genesis 1:14 : "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years.'"
Symbol of God's BlessingSunshine is frequently used as a metaphor for God's favor and blessing. In the Old Testament, sunshine is often linked with prosperity and divine favor. For instance, in
Deuteronomy 33:14 , Moses blesses Joseph with "the choicest gifts of the sun and the rich yield of the seasons." Here, sunshine symbolizes abundance and the blessings of the land.
Righteousness and JusticeThe imagery of sunshine is also used to depict righteousness and justice. In
Malachi 4:2 , the prophet speaks of the "sun of righteousness" that will rise with healing in its wings for those who fear God's name. This passage highlights the restorative and purifying power of God's justice, likening it to the life-giving and illuminating qualities of sunshine.
God's Unbiased ProvisionSunshine is a symbol of God's impartial provision for all of creation. In
Matthew 5:45 , Jesus teaches, "He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." This verse underscores the universality of God's grace and the common blessings He bestows upon humanity, regardless of their moral standing.
Light and RevelationSunshine is often associated with light, which in biblical terms, represents truth and revelation.
Psalm 19:4-6 poetically describes the sun's course across the sky, likening it to a bridegroom and a champion, emphasizing its role in declaring God's glory and handiwork. The sun's light is a metaphor for the clarity and truth found in God's word and His revelation to mankind.
Eschatological ImageryIn eschatological contexts, sunshine is used to describe the glory and presence of God in the new creation.
Revelation 21:23 states, "The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp." Here, the absence of the sun in the New Jerusalem signifies the direct and eternal presence of God as the ultimate source of light and life.
Moral and Spiritual GuidanceSunshine, as a source of light, is also a metaphor for moral and spiritual guidance. In
Ephesians 5:14 , Paul exhorts believers to "Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." This call to spiritual awakening and enlightenment is likened to the dawning of a new day, where Christ's light dispels darkness and guides believers in righteousness.
In summary, sunshine in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol representing God's creation, blessing, justice, and revelation. It serves as a reminder of His constant presence and the order He has established in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The light of the sun, or the place where it shines; the direct rays of the sun, the place where they fall, or the warmth and light which they give.
2. (n.) Anything which has a warming and cheering influence like that of the rays of the sun; warmth; illumination; brightness.
3. (a.) Sunshiny; bright.
Greek
2602. katabole -- a laying down... all people can Him. This was laid down before the first ray of
sunshine or
drop of water touched the earth. Word Origin from kataballo
...Strong's Hebrew
5051. nogah -- brightness... Word Origin from nagah Definition brightness NASB Word Usage bright (1), bright
light (1), brightness (10), dawn (1), light (1), radiance (4),
sunshine (1).
...216. or -- a light
... Usage broad (1), dawn (1), dawn* (1), daylight (1), daylight* (1), early morning
(1), light (105), lightning (5), lights (2), sun (1), sunlight (1),sunshine (1...
Library
ContinualSunshine
... VOLUME II: PSALMS LI to CXLV CONTINUALSUNSHINE. 'Blessed is the people... we like.
We may always bear our ownsunshine with us. And although...
Wesley and theSunshine
... Chapter 10. Retirement in Paddington; Wesley Slandered; Premonitions;
A Dream Wesley and theSunshine. Thursday, 24."We rode in...
Thanksgiving for GraciousSunshine.
... Miscellaneous. THANKSGIVING FOR GRACIOUSSUNSHINE. Now gone is all the rain, Rejoice
my heart again, Sing after times of sadness To God thy Lord with gladness!...
Evening Hymns. I. The HappySunshine all is Gone,
... Evening Hymns. I. The happysunshine all is gone,. 8,8,8,8... by Catherine Winkworth,
1855. The happysunshine all is gone,. The gloomy night comes swiftly on;...
What the Flowers Say.
... some another; but there is one thing which all of them say""trust God." God takes
care of the flowers, and sends them dew, and rain, andsunshine, and fresh...
The Torments of Giant Bad Feelings
... This is going to be a fair day, the sun came up clear this morning; shall we visit
PilgrimSunshine?... "The Lord's blessings be yours, PilgrimSunshine."....
Blowing the Clouds Away
... I might strain and struggle, and try until my strength was all gone, but the clouds
would not pass away, nor would thesunshine come a moment sooner for all my...
King David's Little Boy.
... KING DAVID'S LITTLE BOY.Sunshine fell upon the walls of King David's palace
on Mount Zion. The trees in the royal gardens swayed...
At the Burial of the Dead on the Death of his Son.
... Oh fain I'd say: Abide with me,. Thesunshine of my house to be,. No other joy but
this I crave,.... Puresunshine thou dost see,. Thesunshine of eternal rest:...
Home-Made Clouds
... The day had started out full ofsunshine, but alas!... Thesunshine was all gone; there
was no longer any song in her heart, but heaviness instead....
Thesaurus
Sunshine (4 Occurrences)... warmth; illumination; brightness. 3. (a.) Sunshiny; bright. Multi-Version
Concordance
Sunshine (4 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 4:4
...Light (2869 Occurrences)
... Light and life are almost synonymous to the inhabitants of Palestine, and in the
same way darkness and death. Theirs is the land ofsunshine....
Dial (2 Occurrences)
... courtiers from the palace, were going up the ascent into the house of the Lord to
be present at the evening sacrifice; passing from the brightsunshine at the...
Ahaz (42 Occurrences)
... courtiers from the palace, were going up the ascent into the house of the Lord to
be present at the evening sacrifice; passing from the brightsunshine at the...
Olive (61 Occurrences)
... The terraced hills of Palestine, where the earth lies never many inches above the
limestone rocks, the long rainless summer of unbrokensunshine, and the heavy...
Day (17670 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The time of light, or interval between one night and the next; the time
between sunrise and sunset, or from dawn to darkness; hence, the light;sunshine...
Clear (641 Occurrences)
... clearer than the noon-day" (Job 11:17): "clear as the sun" (Songs 6:10); "clear
shining after rain" (2 Samuel 23:4); "clear heat insunshine" (Isaiah 18:4...
Cold (25 Occurrences)
... (vi) To become cold. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. COLD. kold (qor; psuchros
(adj.), psuchos (noun)): Palestine is essentially a land ofsunshine and warmth...
Clearness (1 Occurrence)
... clearer than the noon-day" (Job 11:17): "clear as the sun" (Songs 6:10); "clear
shining after rain" (2 Samuel 23:4); "clear heat insunshine" (Isaiah 18:4...
Shine (62 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) The quality or state of shining; brightness; luster, gloss; polish; sheen.
8. (n.)Sunshine; fair weather. 9. (n.) A liking for a person; a fancy. 10....
Resources
What does it mean that the rain falls on the just and the unjust? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should we learn from the account of Samson and Delilah? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about pessimism? | GotQuestions.orgSunshine: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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