“Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Ps 119:105): A Theological Reading of the Idea of Light in the Traditions of the Old Testament

Ks. Dariusz DZIADOSZ

Chair of the Exegesis of Historical, Prophetic and Didactic Books of the Old Testament, Institute of the Biblical Studies, Faculty of Theology, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland , Poland



Abstract

Light is one of the Hebrew Bible’s most complex symbols and the common literary theme in the ancient Near East civilizations (Sumer, Ugarit, Babylonia, Egypt). In many of its biblical figurative uses, the exact significance of light is uncertain, but often some links to physical light are present. There are four main thematic lines in the biblical concept of light: the integral relationship of light to God, its importance to the world and man, its rich symbolism, and the eschatological dimension.

Keywords:

light, darkness, the ancient Near East civilizations, Hebrew Bible




Published
2020-01-12


DZIADOSZ, K. D. (2020). „Twoje słowo jest lampą dla moich stóp i światłem na mojej ścieżce” (Ps 119,105). Teologiczna lektura idei światła w tradycjach Starego Testamentu. Ethos. Kwartalnik Instytutu Jana Pawła II KUL, 30(3 (119). Retrieved from https://czasopisma.kul.pl/index.php/ethos/article/view/5177

Ks. Dariusz DZIADOSZ 
Chair of the Exegesis of Historical, Prophetic and Didactic Books of the Old Testament, Institute of the Biblical Studies, Faculty of Theology, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland