Modern Meaning
What Does “Let there be light” Mean?
The beginning of creation; a call for illumination.
Biblical Origin
Where Does This Phrase Come From?
The first recorded words of God in the Bible — a command that brings the physical universe into being. The majesty of its simplicity has made it one of the most quoted phrases in any language. Universities, scientific institutions, and enlightenment thinkers adopted it as a motto.
The phrase appears in Genesis 1:3 in the King James Version of the Bible, first published in 1611.
Usage Today
How Is It Used Today?
Used to mark any new beginning or breakthrough. Appears as a motto for universities, scientific organizations, and in popular culture whenever creation or illumination is invoked.
The KJV Verse
Genesis 1:3
“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
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