The term "enlighteneth" is derived from the verb "enlighten," which means to give spiritual or intellectual insight, to illuminate, or to shed light upon. In the context of the Bible, "enlighteneth" often refers to the divine action of God imparting wisdom, understanding, and spiritual insight to individuals. This concept is deeply rooted in the belief that true knowledge and understanding come from God, who is the source of all light and truth.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Divine Illumination: The Bible frequently speaks of God as the one who enlightens the hearts and minds of believers. In Psalm 18:28 , it is written, "For You, O LORD, light my lamp; my God enlightens my darkness." This verse highlights the belief that God dispels darkness and confusion, providing clarity and guidance to His followers.

2. Spiritual Understanding: Enlightenment in the biblical sense often pertains to the understanding of spiritual truths. Ephesians 1:18 states, "I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." Here, the Apostle Paul prays for the believers' spiritual eyes to be opened, enabling them to grasp the profound truths of their faith and the hope they possess in Christ.

3. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enlightening believers. In John 14:26 , Jesus promises, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." The Holy Spirit is depicted as the divine teacher who enlightens the minds of believers, helping them to understand and remember the teachings of Christ.

4. Contrast with Darkness: Enlightenment is often contrasted with spiritual darkness, which represents ignorance, sin, and separation from God. In 2 Corinthians 4:6 , Paul writes, "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." This passage underscores the transformative power of God's light, which dispels darkness and reveals the glory of God through Christ.

5. Moral and Ethical Guidance: Enlightenment also encompasses moral and ethical guidance. Psalm 119:105 declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." The Word of God is portrayed as a source of enlightenment that guides believers in righteous living and decision-making.

Theological Implications

The concept of "enlighteneth" carries significant theological implications. It emphasizes the necessity of divine intervention for true understanding and wisdom. Human reason and intellect, while valuable, are insufficient for comprehending the fullness of God's truth without His enlightening presence. This underscores the dependency of believers on God for spiritual growth and discernment.

Furthermore, enlightenment is seen as an ongoing process in the life of a believer. It is not a one-time event but a continual journey of growing in knowledge and understanding of God's will and purpose. This process is facilitated by regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In summary, "enlighteneth" in the biblical context refers to the divine act of imparting light, wisdom, and understanding to believers, enabling them to live in accordance with God's truth and purpose.

The Fifth Proposition. God, Out of his Infinite Love
... and be saved, hath so loved the world, that he hath given his only Son a light,
that whosoever believeth in him should be saved; who enlighteneth every man ...
/.../the fifth proposition god out.htm

God, Out of his Infinite Love
... who enlighteneth EVERY man that cometh into the world, John 1:9. and maketh
manifest all things that are reproveable, Ephesians 5:13. ...
/.../proposition v god out of.htm

John Chapter v. 19-40
... of the world," He shows that they should not think themselves such a light as that
of which it is said, "That was the true light, that enlighteneth every man ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxiii john chapter v.htm

The Confession of the Society of Friends, Commonly Called Quakers. ...
... live and be saved, hath so loved the world that he hath given his only Son a Light,
that whosoever believeth in him should be saved; who enlighteneth every man ...
/.../the confession of the society.htm

Easter Litany of the Moravian Church. AD 1749.
... berufet, mit seinen Gaben erleuchtet, im rechten Glauben heiliget und erh??lt; But
that the Holy Ghost calleth me by the gospel, enlighteneth me with his gifts ...
/.../easter litany of the moravian.htm

The Divine Word
... The Word that was with God and that was God, and also was the light that enlighteneth
every man (John 1:1-10), namely, that it was Divine truth going forth ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part fourththe divine word.htm

The General Service to the Venerated and vivifying Cross.
... Wherefore shining brighter than the sun it enlighteneth with grace the whole creation,
and maketh clear and saveth those that faithfully honour it. ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter iii the general service.htm

Limits of God's Plan for Human Salvation
... Thus, we are also to understand what is written in the Gospel about Him "who
enlighteneth every man." [222] This means that there is no man who is enlightened ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xxvii limits of gods.htm

How Christ is Made Use of as the Life, by one that is So Dead and ...
... soul in this case: 1. By sending the Spirit of life, that enlighteneth,
informeth, persuadeth, and sealeth. 2. By actuating grace ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxv how christ is.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John xii. 44, "He that Believeth on Me ...
... of a Virgin in time. The first nativity exceedeth times; the second nativity
enlighteneth times. Yet both nativities are marvellous ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xc on the words.htm

Enlighteneth (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Enlighteneth (6 Occurrences). ... (YLT). 2 Samuel 22:29 For
thou art my lamp, Jehovah; And Jehovah enlighteneth my darkness. (DBY). ...
/e/enlighteneth.htm - 7k

Enlightened (13 Occurrences)

/e/enlightened.htm - 10k

Lightest (2 Occurrences)
... candlestick. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Psalms 18:28 For Thou -- Thou lightest
my lamp, Jehovah my God enlighteneth my darkness. (YLT). ...
/l/lightest.htm - 6k

Instructing (14 Occurrences)
... He who is teaching man knowledge 'is' Jehovah. (YLT). Psalms 119:130 The opening
of Thy words enlighteneth, Instructing the simple. (YLT). ...
/i/instructing.htm - 10k

Enlightening (5 Occurrences)

/e/enlightening.htm - 8k

Proper (62 Occurrences)
... subject is the pronoun included or implied in the verbal form, as Nathan, "he hath
given," Hillel, "he hath praised," Jair, "he enlighteneth," Jephthah, "he ...
/p/proper.htm - 57k

Makest (68 Occurrences)
... evermore. (See JPS). Psalms 18:28 For it is thou that makest my lamp to shine:
Jehovah my God enlighteneth my darkness. (DBY). Psalms ...
/m/makest.htm - 25k

Drawn (131 Occurrences)
... Exodus 14:20 and cometh in between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel,
and the cloud and the darkness are, and he enlighteneth the night, and the ...
/d/drawn.htm - 37k

Shine (62 Occurrences)
... on us. (WEB NIV). Psalms 18:28 For it is thou that makest my lamp to shine:
Jehovah my God enlighteneth my darkness. (DBY). Psalms ...
/s/shine.htm - 27k

Names (133 Occurrences)
... subject is the pronoun included or implied in the verbal form, as Nathan, "he hath
given," Hillel, "he hath praised," Jair, "he enlighteneth," Jephthah, "he ...
/n/names.htm - 101k

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