A beacon, in biblical terms, refers to a signal or guiding light, often used metaphorically to represent guidance, hope, or divine presence. While the term "beacon" itself is not frequently used in most English translations of the Bible, the concept is deeply embedded in the scriptural narrative, symbolizing God's guidance and the call to righteousness.

Biblical Context and Symbolism

In ancient times, beacons were used as signal fires or lights set on high places to guide travelers or warn of approaching danger. This imagery is reflected in various biblical passages that emphasize light as a symbol of divine truth and guidance. For instance, Psalm 119:105 states, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" . Here, the Word of God is likened to a guiding light, much like a beacon, illuminating the path of the faithful.

Light as a Metaphor for Divine Guidance

The metaphor of light as a beacon is prevalent throughout the Bible. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is described as the "light of the world." In John 8:12, Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life" . This statement positions Christ as the ultimate beacon, guiding believers out of spiritual darkness and into the light of salvation.

The Role of Believers as Beacons

Believers are also called to be beacons of light in the world. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matthew 5:14). This passage encourages Christians to live visibly righteous lives, serving as beacons that reflect God's glory and truth to others. The imagery of a city on a hill evokes the idea of a beacon that is seen from afar, drawing others toward the light of Christ.

Prophetic and Eschatological Imagery

In prophetic literature, beacons can symbolize the call to gather or the announcement of significant events. Isaiah 62:10-12 speaks of preparing the way for the people and raising a banner for the nations, which can be understood as a beacon signaling the coming salvation and restoration of God's people. This eschatological imagery points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of His kingdom.

Conclusion

While the specific term "beacon" may not frequently appear in the biblical text, the concept is richly woven into the fabric of Scripture. Beacons serve as powerful symbols of guidance, hope, and divine presence, calling believers to reflect the light of Christ in a world often shrouded in darkness. Through the metaphor of light, the Bible continually emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with God's truth and being a guiding presence for others.Beacon

A signal or conspicuous mark erected on an eminence for direction. (Isaiah 30:17)

A pole (Hebrews to'ren) used as a standard or ensign set on the tops of mountains as a call to the people to assemble themselves for some great national purpose (Isaiah 30:17). In Isaiah 33:23 and Ezek. 27:5, the same word is rendered "mast." (see Banner.) 1. (n.) A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning.

2. (n.) A signal or conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners.

3. (n.) A high hill near the shore.

4. (n.) That which gives notice of danger.

5. (v. t.) To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine.

6. (v. t.) To furnish with a beacon or beacons.

BEACON

be'-k'-n. The translation of the Hebrew toren, which usually means "mast" (compare Isaiah 33:23 Ezekiel 27:5), but in Isaiah 30:17 being used in parallelism with "ensign" the meaning may be "signal-staff" (Isaiah 30:17 the American Revised Version, margin "pole").

8650. toren -- a mast
... beacon, mast. Probably for 'oren; a pole (as a mast or flag-staff) -- beacon, mast.
see HEBREW 'oren. 8649b, 8650. toren. 8651 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8650.htm - 6k

4864. maseth -- an uprising, utterance, burden, portion
... From nasa'; properly, (abstractly) a raising (as of the hands in prayer), or rising
(of flame); figuratively, an utterance; concretely, a beacon (as raised); a ...
/hebrew/4864.htm - 6k

226. oth -- a sign
... Probably from 'uwth (in the sense of appearing); a signal (literally or figuratively),
as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc. ...
/hebrew/226.htm - 6k

5264. nasas -- perhaps to be high or conspicuous
... or rather perhaps a denominative from nec (and identical with nacac, through the
idea of a flag as fluttering in the wind); to raise a beacon -- lift up as an ...
/hebrew/5264.htm - 6k

1961. hayah -- to fall out, come to pass, become, be
... A primitive root (compare hava'); to exist, ie Be or become, come to pass (always
emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary) -- beacon, X altogether, be ...
/hebrew/1961.htm - 8k

Airly Beacon
... AIRLY BEACON. Airly Beacon, Airly Beacon; Oh the pleasant sight to see Shires
and towns from Airly Beacon, While my love climbed up to me! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/airly beacon.htm

It Would Therefore be to their Profit, for the Young to Refrain ...
... God has placed them as a beacon for us who live around; many among them have been
young men there in their prime, and have grown gray in the unbroken practice ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xxiv it would therefore.htm

The Last Word of Prophecy
... The prophets, as it were, had lit a beacon which flamed through the darkness.
Hand after hand had flung new fuel on it when it burned low. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the last word of prophecy.htm

The Advance of Xerxes into Greece.
... They agreed upon signals, and raised piles of wood for beacon fires on every commanding
elevation along the coast; while all the roads leading from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter viii the advance of.htm

The False Prophet
... The tumult of assault on the walls had ceased. The long lines of beacon-fires
on the walls showed only a few men in arms posted there. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xix the false prophet.htm

The Awakening of Zion
... Truths which for many years had been left to burn unheeded, save by a faithful few
watchers of the beacon, flame up all at once as the guiding pillars of a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the awakening of zion.htm

The Betrayal
... the betrayed one; and when ye have lingered awhile there, solemnly gaze into the
villanous countenance of Judas, the betrayer"he may prove a beacon to warn ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the betrayal.htm

His Conversion
... Hitherto the Church had been confined within the walls of Jerusalem; but now all
over Judaea and Samaria, and in distant Phoenicia and Syria, the beacon of the ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iii his conversion.htm

Perseverance in Holiness
... Some of us will never forget that fig tree, covered with untimely leaves, which
yielded no fruit, and was condemned to stand a beacon to the unfruitful of all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/perseverance in holiness.htm

Prologue: the Parentage and Birth of Marie Francoise Therese ...
... He paused for a space, then, continuing his journey, soon reached the celebrated
monastery that like a beacon on those heights darts afar its beams of faith ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/prologue the parentage & birth.htm

Beacon (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) That which gives notice of danger. 5. (vt) To give light to, as a beacon;
to light up; to illumine. 6. (vt) To furnish with a beacon or beacons. ...BEACON. ...
/b/beacon.htm - 8k

Beach (7 Occurrences)

/b/beach.htm - 9k

Bead (2 Occurrences)

/b/bead.htm - 8k

Zephath (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Beacon; watch-tower, a Canaanite town; called
also Hormah (qv), Judges 1:17. It has been identified with ...
/z/zephath.htm - 7k

Olives (30 Occurrences)
... In later ages the Mount was termed "the mountain of lights," because here there
used to be kindled at one time the first beacon light to announce throughout ...
/o/olives.htm - 37k

Threat (7 Occurrences)
... At the threat of five, you will flee until you are left like a beacon on the top
of a mountain, and like a banner on a hill. (WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV). ...
/t/threat.htm - 8k

Mountaintop (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 30:17 One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one, at the rebuke of five
shall ye flee; till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as ...
/m/mountaintop.htm - 6k

Beth-haccerem (2 Occurrences)
... House of a vineyard, a place in the tribe of Judah (Nehemiah 3:14) where the Benjamites
were to set up a beacon when they heard the trumpet against the ...
/b/beth-haccerem.htm - 7k

Beth-haccherem (2 Occurrences)
... It certainly would be a unique place for a beacon. More suitable is the fertile
vineyard country around `Ain Karem (the "spring of the vineyard"). ...
/b/beth-haccherem.htm - 8k

Bethhaccherem
... It certainly would be a unique place for a beacon. More suitable is the fertile
vineyard country around `Ain Karem (the "spring of the vineyard"). ...
/b/bethhaccherem.htm - 7k

What is the Job's Daughters program? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Ellen G. White? | GotQuestions.org

What is Seventh-day Adventism (SDA), and what do Seventh-day Adventists believe? | GotQuestions.org

Beacon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus