What Does Revelation 21:23 Mean in the King James?

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Revelation 21:23 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The Lamb is the city’s lamp, and God’s own weight is the light that fills it.

THE MEANING

The city has no need of the sun or moon because God’s weight illuminates it, and the Lamb is its lamp. The vision speaks now of divine presence as both the source of light and the one who bears it into the city.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The city can only remain visible if the sun and moon keep lighting it.

THE ROOT

ἐφώτισεν

ephōtisen

GROWS FROM

φωτ-

phōt-

Light; to illuminate or make bright.

The verb rendered “did lighten” is ⁨φωτίζω⁩ (phōtizō), “to illuminate,” from the same word family as ⁨φῶς⁩ (phōs), “light”; the Lamb is named as the city’s ⁨λύχνος⁩ (lychnos), “lamp.” God’s weight performs the illumination, and the Lamb bears that light into the city.

ALSO GROWS

phōs: Light

φῶς

This related noun links God’s act of illuminating the city to light itself.

phōtismos: Illumination; light-giving

φωτισμός

This related form names the illumination the city receives from God’s presence.

THE PATTERN

God’s presence supplies light itself, becoming the source by which life, sight, and the city are illumined.

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Psalm 36:9 · KJVLife and sight arise within God’s own light.

The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

Isaiah 60:19 · KJVThe LORD becomes the city’s enduring light, with God’s weight as its brightness.

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 22:5 · KJVGod gives light directly where night and the sun no longer govern the city.

THE THREAD

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:4 · KJV

John ties life to ⁨φῶς⁩ (phōs), “light,” from the same word family as the verb translated “did lighten.” Revelation pictures that living light in the city as the Lamb, its lamp.

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