Let there be light

Phrases, sayings and idioms at

The Phrase Finder

Let there be light

Browse phrases beginning with:

[A][B][C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J][K][L][M][N][O][P][Q][R][S][T][U,V][W][X,Y,Z]

Let there be light

Origin

This is one of the best-known phrases in English. It is a translation of the Latin fiat lux and appears in the opening lines of the Bible, Genesis (King James Version):

1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
1:2 - And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
1:3 - And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
1:4 - And God saw the light, that it was good:

The tendency of US politicians toward over-wordiness was compared unfavourably to the beauty and clarity of the King James Version original by the journalist and broadcaster Alistair Cooke. In his acceptance speech for the 'Best Speaker of English' award in 1998, he gave an imagined US Government representative's version of Genesis 1:3:

"The Supreme Being mandated the illumination of the Universe and this directive was enforced forthwith."