UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: light

Semantic entry: 14.36

Semantic domains: Physical Events and States

Subdomains: Light

Definition: light, in contrast with darkness (σκότος[a], σκοτία[a], 14.53: γνόφος / 14.53: σκοτία / 14.53: σκότος), usually in relationship to some source of light such as the sun, moon, fire, lamp, etc.{N:001}

Notes: Terms for ‘light’ often differ on the basis of whether there is a specific source of light, for example, a fire, lamps, sun, moon, etc., or whether the light is simply generalized, in the sense of daylight apart from the actual shining of the sun (for example, as in the interior of a room). Some languages also make distinctions between terms for light depending on whether the light comes from a fire or lamp or from a heavenly body.|In a number of languages there is no noun for ‘light,’ but only verbs are employed, since the fact of light is spoken of as something which happens and is hence regarded as an event.

Sense 2: fire, bonfire

Semantic entry: 2.5

Semantic domains: Natural Substances

Subdomains: Fire

Definition: a pile or heap of burning material

Notes: The Greek phrase ἅψαντες … πυράν ‘to kindle a fire’ is best rendered in a number of languages by a single verb meaning ‘to make a fire,’ and in some languages it is strange to speak of a ‘fire’ without indicating the type of material which is being burned. Hence, in RV ACT 28:2 · LV ACT 28:2 · Read together ACT 28:2 the appropriate equivalent would be ‘they caused some sticks to burn.’|In some languages a very important distinction is made between two functionally different kinds of fire, one used for getting rid of refuse and the other used for warming oneself. Fire as a destructive agent, mentioned frequently in the book of Revelation (RV REV 8:5 · LV REV 8:5 · Read together REV 8:5 and RV REV 20:10 · LV REV 20:10 · Read together REV 20:10), may require quite a different term from what is used in speaking of a fire for the purpose of warming a person or heating an object.

Sense 3: torch

Semantic entry: 6.102

Semantic domains: Artifacts

Subdomains: Lights and Light Holders

Definition: a stick or bundle of sticks carried about as a light

Notes: It is, of course, possible that in RV ACT 16:29 · LV ACT 16:29 · Read together ACT 16:29 the meaning of φῶς is a lamp (see 6.104: λαμπάς / 6.104: λύχνος).

Further resources: realia:5.4

Sense 4: sons of the light, children of the light, people of God

Semantic entry: 11.14

Semantic domains: Groups and Classes of Persons and Members of Such Groups and Classes

Subdomains: Socio-Religious

Definition: (idioms, literally: sons of the light, and: children of light, respectively) persons to whom the truth of God has been revealed and who are presumably living according to such truth. See also 9.4: υἱός and 12.15: θεός / 12.15: υἱός.

Notes: In a number of languages it is difficult to speak of ‘light’ in the metaphorical sense of the truth that comes from God. Such truth is not to be equated with knowledge, but with the principles and practices of right moral behavior. Because of these difficulties in speaking of ‘truth’ as ‘light,’ a number of translators have preferred to use the expression ‘people of God’ for the phrases υἱοὶ τοῦ φωτός, υἱοὶ τῆς ἡμέρας, and τέκνα φωτός. In some instances, however, it is possible to employ ‘light,’ if this is described as ‘light that comes from God’ or even ‘the true light from God.’

Collocations: υἱοὶ τοῦ φωτός; τέκνα φωτός

Sense 5: in public, publicly

Semantic entry: 28.64

Semantic domains: Know

Subdomains: Able To Be Known

Definition: (an idiom, literally: in the light) pertaining to being widely known in view of the events in question having taken place in public{N:002}

Collocations: ἐν τῷ φωτί