WG: Light and Darkness
Overview
The light/darkness word group in the Greek NT comprises the primary noun for light, its cognate verb and related luminaries, paired with the two darkness nouns that function as its antonyms.
Word Group Members
| Strong's |
Word |
Transliteration |
POS |
Occurrences |
Role in Concept |
Library Entry |
| G5457 |
φῶς |
phōs |
neuter noun |
59 |
Light itself — the phenomenon |
G5457-phos.md |
| G5461 |
φωτίζω |
phōtizō |
verb |
11 |
To illuminate, enlighten |
TODO(need G5461 study) |
| G5458 |
φωστήρ |
phōstēr |
masculine noun |
2 |
Luminary, light-bearing body |
TODO(need G5458 study) |
| G5338 |
φέγγος |
phengos |
neuter noun |
3 |
Brightness, radiance (of moon/luminaries) |
TODO(need G5338 study) |
| G3088 |
λύχνος |
lychnos |
masculine noun |
14 |
Lamp — physical object that produces light |
G3088-lychnos.md |
| G2985 |
λαμπάς |
lampas |
feminine noun |
9 |
Torch, lamp |
G2985-lampas.md |
| G4655 |
σκότος |
skotos |
neuter noun |
31 |
Darkness — primary antonym |
TODO(need G4655 study) |
| G4653 |
σκοτία |
skotia |
feminine noun |
12 |
Darkness — Johannine preferred form |
TODO(need G4653 study) |
Relationships
Cognates (phōs Family)
- φῶς (G5457), φωτίζω (G5461), φωστήρ (G5458), φωτεινός (G5460), φωτισμός (G5462) — all from root φάω (to shine)
Antonym Pairs
- φῶς (G5457) ↔ σκότος (G4655): 12 shared verses (20% of phōs, 39% of skotos)
- φῶς (G5457) ↔ σκοτία (G4653): 9 shared verses (15% of phōs, 75% of skotia)
Co-occurrence (appear in same verses)
| Word A |
Word B |
Shared Verses |
Typical Context |
| G5457 phōs |
G4655 skotos |
12x |
Light/darkness antithesis: Mat 4:16, 2Co 6:14, Act 26:18 |
| G5457 phōs |
G4653 skotia |
9x |
Johannine dualism: Jhn 1:5, 3:19, 1Jo 1:5, 2:8-9 |
| G5457 phōs |
G3088 lychnos |
4x |
Lamp producing light: Luk 8:16, Rev 22:5 |
| G5461 phōtizō |
G3088 lychnos |
3x |
Illumination from a lamp: Luk 11:36, Rev 22:5 |
| G5457 phōs |
G5461 phōtizō |
2x |
Light that enlightens: Jhn 1:9 |
LXX Overlaps (Shared Hebrew Sources)
| Hebrew Words |
Shared Greek |
Notes |
| H216 ʼôwr → G5457 phōs (90x) + G5338 phengos (6x) |
Both translate H216 |
phōs is dominant; phengos used for specific radiance contexts |
| H216 ʼôwr → G5457 phōs (90x) + G3088 lychnos (5x) |
Both translate H216 in rare cases |
lychnos typically translates H5216 nîyr instead |
| H2822 chôshek → G4655 skotos (67x) + G5457 phōs (24x) |
Both appear in H2822 contexts |
Antonym co-occurrence in the same OT verses |
Roles in the Concept
- Phenomenon: φῶς (phōs) — light itself; what is seen and experienced
- Action: φωτίζω (phōtizō) — to shed light, illuminate, make known
- Source (cosmic): φωστήρ (phōstēr) — luminary, star
- Source (portable): λύχνος (lychnos), λαμπάς (lampas) — lamp, torch
- Quality: φέγγος (phengos) — brightness, radiance
- Antithesis: σκότος (skotos), σκοτία (skotia) — darkness (the absence or opposite of light)
Key Passages Where Multiple Group Words Appear Together
- Rev 22:5 — [G5457 + G5461 + G3088] "they need no candle (lychnos), neither light (phōs) of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light (phōtizō)" — The eschatological convergence: lamp, light, and illumination all in one verse.
- Luk 8:16 — [G5457 + G3088] "lighted a candle (lychnos)... that they which enter in may see the light (phōs)"
- Jhn 1:5,9 — [G5457 + G4653 + G5461] "the light (phōs) shineth in darkness (skotia)... the true Light which lighteth (phōtizō) every man"
Generated from: gather_word_group_data.py, search_strongs.py
Last updated: 2026-04-13