Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "shine" in the Bible often symbolizes the presence, glory, and righteousness of God, as well as the call for believers to reflect His light in a dark world. The imagery of light and shining is prevalent throughout Scripture, illustrating both divine revelation and the moral and spiritual illumination that comes from God.
Divine Light and GloryIn the Old Testament, the shining of God's glory is frequently associated with His presence. When Moses descended from Mount Sinai after receiving the Ten Commandments, his face shone because he had been speaking with God (
Exodus 34:29-35). This radiance was a physical manifestation of God's glory and holiness, reflecting the transformative power of being in His presence.
The Psalms often speak of God's face shining upon His people as a sign of favor and blessing.
Psalm 31:16 says, "Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me by Your loving devotion." This request for God's face to shine is a plea for His grace and protection.
Messianic Prophecies and FulfillmentThe prophetic literature of the Old Testament also uses the imagery of shining to describe the coming Messiah.
Isaiah 60:1 declares, "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you." This passage anticipates the arrival of Christ, who is the light of the world.
In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as the fulfillment of these prophecies. In
John 8:12 , Jesus proclaims, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life." Here, Jesus embodies the divine light, offering spiritual illumination and salvation to all who believe in Him.
Believers as Reflectors of LightThe call for believers to shine is a recurring theme in the New Testament. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden" (
Matthew 5:14). This metaphor emphasizes the responsibility of Christians to live in a way that reflects God's light, serving as a beacon of hope and truth in a world overshadowed by sin.
The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in
Philippians 2:15 , urging believers to be "blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world." This exhortation highlights the transformative power of living a life aligned with God's will, demonstrating His love and righteousness to others.
Eschatological HopeThe theme of shining also carries eschatological significance, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom. In
Revelation 21:23 , the New Jerusalem is described as having "no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp." This vision of the future underscores the eternal presence of God's glory, illuminating the new creation where His people will dwell with Him forever.
In summary, the biblical concept of "shine" encompasses the revelation of God's glory, the mission of Christ as the light of the world, and the calling of believers to reflect His light in their lives. Through these themes, Scripture invites believers to participate in God's redemptive work, shining His truth and love into the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To emit rays of light; to give light; to beam with steady radiance; to exhibit brightness or splendor; as, the sun shines by day; the moon shines by night.
2. (v. i.) To be bright by reflection of light; to gleam; to be glossy; as, to shine like polished silver.
3. (v. i.) To be effulgent in splendor or beauty.
4. (v. i.) To be eminent, conspicuous, or distinguished; to exhibit brilliant intellectual powers; as, to shine in courts; to shine in conversation.
5. (v. t.) To cause to shine, as a light.
6. (v. t.) To make bright; to cause to shine by reflected light; as, in hunting, to shine the eyes of a deer at night by throwing a light on them.
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. (n.) Caper; antic; row.
11. (v. i.) Shining; sheen.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SHINEshin: The Hebrew words 'ahal, 'or, halal, zahar, zarach, yapha`, naghah, `ashath and qaran are all translated "shine." All indicate either the direct or indirect diffusion of beams of light. In a direct and literal sense the word "shine" is used of the heavenly bodies, or of candles, and fire (Job 18:5; Job 25:5 the King James Version; Job 29:3; Job 31:26 2 Kings 3:22). In a figurative sense it is used of reflected light or brightness, in any sense (Exodus 34:29, 35 Isaiah 60:1 Ezekiel 43:2 Daniel 12:3). God as the sun of righteousness is thus depicted in Psalm 50:2. The New Testament words astrapto, augazo, lampo and phaino are translated "shine." Thus literally it is said of the lightning that it shines (Matthew 24:27 the King James Version; Luke 17:24); the word is tropically applied to the life of faith or to men prominent in the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:16 John 5:35 2 Corinthians 4:6 Philippians 2:15 2 Peter 1:19); to the glory of God (Luke 2:9); to angelic appearances (Luke 24:4 Acts 12:7), or to Christ as He appeared to John on Patmos (Revelation 1:16).
Henry E. Dosker
Greek
1584. eklampo -- to shine out ... to
shine out. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eklampo Phonetic Spelling:
(ek-lam'-po) Short Definition: I
shine forth Definition: I
shine forth (out).
... 2017. epiphausko -- to shine forth
... to shine forth. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epiphausko Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-fow'-o) Short Definition: I shine upon, give light to Definition: I ...
2989. lampo -- to shine
... lampo. 2990 . to shine. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: lampo Phonetic Spelling:
(lam'-po) Short Definition: I shine Definition: I shine, give light. ...
826. augazo -- to shine forth
... to shine forth. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: augazo Phonetic Spelling:
(ow-gad'-zo) Short Definition: I shine forth Definition: I flash, gleam, shine ...
4034. perilampo -- to shine around
... to shine around. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: perilampo Phonetic Spelling:
(per-ee-lam'-po) Short Definition: I shine around Definition: I shine around ...
1306. diaugazo -- to shine through
... to shine through. Part of Speech: Adjective; Verb Transliteration: diaugazo Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-ow-gad'-zo) Short Definition: I shine through, dawn ...
4744. stilbo -- to shine
... to shine. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: stilbo Phonetic Spelling:
(stil'-bo) Short Definition: I shine, glisten, flash Definition: I shine, glisten ...
5461. photizo -- to shine, give light
... to shine, give light. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: photizo Phonetic Spelling:
(fo-tid'-zo) Short Definition: I illuminate, bring to light Definition: ( ...
2929. krustallizo -- to shine like crystal
... to shine like crystal. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: krustallizo Phonetic
Spelling: (kroos-tal-lid'-zo) Short Definition: I am clear as crystal ...
2020. epiphosko -- to let shine, ie to dawn
... to let shine, ie to dawn. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epiphosko Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ee-foce'-ko) Short Definition: I dawn, am near commencing ...
Strong's Hebrew
3313. yapha -- to shine out or forth, to send out beams, cause to ...... yapha. 3314 . to
shine out or forth, to send out beams, cause to
shine.
Transliteration: yapha Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-fah') Short Definition:
shine.
... 5050. nagah -- to shine
... nagah. 5051 . to shine. Transliteration: nagah Phonetic Spelling: (naw-gah') Short
Definition: illumines. Word Origin a prim. ... enlighten, cause to shine. ...
1984. halal -- to shine
... 1983, 1984. halal. 1984a . to shine. Transliteration: halal Phonetic Spelling:
(haw-lal') Short Definition: shine. make boast self ...
166. ahal -- to be clear, shine
... ahal. 167 . to be clear, shine. Transliteration: ahal Phonetic Spelling: (aw-hal')
Short Definition: bright. ... shine. A primitive root; to be clear -- shine. ...
6692a. tsuts -- to blossom, shine, sparkle
... 6692, 6692a. tsuts or tsits. 6692b . to blossom, shine, sparkle. Transliteration:
tsuts or tsits Short Definition: flourishes. Word Origin a prim. ...
1984a. halal -- to shine
... halal. 1984b . to shine. Transliteration: halal Short Definition: shine. Word
Origin a prim. root Definition to shine NASB Word Usage flash forth (2), shone ( ...
3156. Yizrachyah -- "Yah will shine," two Israelites
... 3155, 3156. Yizrachyah. 3157 . "Yah will shine," two Israelites. Transliteration:
Yizrachyah Phonetic Spelling: (yiz-rakh-yaw') Short Definition: Izrahiah. ...
5102b. nahar -- to shine, beam
... nahar. 5103 . to shine, beam. Transliteration: nahar Short Definition: radiant.
Word Origin a prim. root Definition to shine, beam NASB Word Usage radiant (3) ...
5340a. natsats -- to shine, sparkle
... natsats. 5340b . to shine, sparkle. Transliteration: natsats Short Definition:
gleamed. ... root Definition to shine, sparkle NASB Word Usage gleamed (1). ...
5340. natsats -- to shine, sparkle
... 5339, 5340. natsats. 5340a . to shine, sparkle. Transliteration: natsats Phonetic
Spelling: (naw-tsats') Short Definition: sparkle. sparkle ...
Library
"Shine Inside"
... "SHINE INSIDE". As I was passing along the street the other day I saw on the
window of a bootblack's parlour the words, "Shine Inside." ...
Let Your Light Shine
... IV LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE. Matthew v.16. At the first reading there certainly
seems to be something of self-assertion and self-display ...
The Adoration of the Magi. Epiphany. Arise, Shine, for Thy Light ...
... Epiphany. Arise, shine, for thy light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen
upon thee! ... All ye Gentile lands awake! Thou, O Salem, rise and shine! ...
What is Seemly Should Always Shine Forth in Our Life. ...
... Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. Book I. Chapter XLVII. What is seemly should always shine
forth in our life.? What is seemly should always shine forth in our life. ...
On that which is Written in the Gospel, Matt. v. 16, "Even So Let ...
... v. 16, "Even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven:" and contrariwise, Chap. ...
CM "How Bright These Glorious Spirits Shine. "
... Hymn 11. CM "How bright these glorious spirits shine.". How bright these
glorious spirits shine! Whence all their white array? How ...
These are the Jewels all Glorious that Shine
... MISCELLANEOUS VIII These are the jewels all glorious that shine.
10,10,10,10. These are the jewels all glorious that shine. High ...
How Bright These Glorious Spirits Shine
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Communion: Introits 302. How bright these glorious spirits
shine. CMD ... William Cameron, 1781. How bright these glorious spirits shine! ...
Happy are Ye Whose Bodies have Been Made to Shine!
... Hymn VIII. Happy are ye whose bodies have been made to shine! (Resp."Happy
are ye whose bodies have been made to shine!) 1. God ...
But that the Merit of virginity May Shine Forth More Clearly...
... The Doubtful Letters Of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter III. But that the merit
of virginity may shine forth more clearly? But that ...
Thesaurus
Shine (62 Occurrences)... 2. (vi) To be bright by reflection of light; to gleam; to be glossy; as, to
shine like polished silver.
... 5. (vt) To cause to
shine, as a light.
...Glisten (1 Occurrence)
... vi) To sparkle or shine; especially, to shine with a mild, subdued, and fitful luster;
to emit a soft, scintillating light; to gleam; as, the glistening stars. ...
Enlightening (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 4:4 in whom the god of this age did blind the minds of the unbelieving,
that there doth not shine forth to them the enlightening of the good news ...
Shined (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (pp) of Shine. Multi-Version Concordance Shined
(9 Occurrences). Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came ...
Teaching (372 Occurrences)
... In Daniel 12:3 we read: "They that are wise (margin, "the teachers") shall shine
as the brightness of the firmament." 5. Knowledge: yadha', "to see" (compare ...
Teacher (103 Occurrences)
... In Daniel 12:3 we read: "They that are wise (margin, "the teachers") shall shine
as the brightness of the firmament." 5. Knowledge: yadha', "to see" (compare ...
Teach (172 Occurrences)
... In Daniel 12:3 we read: "They that are wise (margin, "the teachers") shall shine
as the brightness of the firmament." 5. Knowledge: yadha', "to see" (compare ...
Lighten (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning;
to display a flash or flashes of lightning; to flash. ...
Flare (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To shine out with a sudden and unsteady light; to emit a dazzling
or painfully bright light. 3. (vi) To shine out with gaudy ...
Ray (2 Occurrences)
... (n.) To mark with long lines; to streak. 13. (n.) To send forth or shoot out; to
cause to shine out; as, to ray smiles. 14. (vi) To shine, as with rays. 15. ...
Resources
What does it mean that God is light? | GotQuestions.orgIs it important for a Christian to have daily devotions? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a biblical view of social action? | GotQuestions.orgShine: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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