Let there be light

"Let there be light" is an English translation of the Hebrew יְהִי אוֹר (yehiy 'or). Other translations of the same phrase include the Latin phrase fiat lux, and the Greek phrase γενηθήτω φῶς (or genēthētō phōs). The phrase is often used for its metaphorical meaning of dispelling ignorance.

The phrase comes from the third verse of the Book of Genesis. In the King James Bible, it reads:

1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
1:2 - And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
1:3 - And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
1:4 - And God saw the light, and it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

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Origin and etymology

The Latin phrase fiat lux, from the Latin Vulgate Bible, is typically translated as "let there be light" when relating to Genesis 1:3 (Hebrew: "יְהִי אוֹר"). The full phrase is "dixitque Deus fiat lux et facta est lux" ("And said God let there be light, and there was light"), from the Greek "και είπεν ο Θεός γενηθήτω φως και εγένετο φως" (or kai eipen ho Theos genēthētō phōs kai egeneto phōs), from the Hebrew "וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, יְהִי אוֹר; וַיְהִי אוֹר" (or vayo'mer 'Elohiym yehiy 'or vayehiy 'or).

Since fiat lux would be literally translated as "let light be made" (fiat is from fieri, the passive form of the verb facere, "to make" or "to do"), an alternative Latinization of the original Greek and Hebrew, lux sit ("light - let it exist" or "let light exist") has been used occasionally.

Use by educational institutions

Fiat lux is the motto of and also appears on the seals of the following educational institutions:

It appears on the outside of Kerns Religious Life Center at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Fiat Lux is also on the seals of the University of Liverpool and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. The second half of the same verse, Et facta est lux appears on the seal of Morehouse College.

In literature

For works which use the phrase as their title, see Let there be light (disambiguation)#In literature and Fiat lux (disambiguation)

In music

"Song Fiat lux in Haus der Lüge in the fifth full length studio release from the German band Einstürzende Neubauten, released in 1989. The french band Justice created a song called "Let There Be Light".

References

  1. ^ Fiat Lux Academe's Official Facebook Page

External links