Luke 1:79

King James Version (1611 Edition)

To giue light to them that sit in darknes, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
to shine on those who live in darknessand the shadow of death,to guide our feet into the way of peace.

King James Version
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

English Standard Version
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

New American Standard Bible
To shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."

New Century Version
It will shine on those who live in darkness, in the shadow of death. It will guide us into the path of peace."

Amplified Bible
TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet [in a straight line] into the way of peace and serenity."

New American Standard Bible (1995)
TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace."

Legacy Standard Bible
To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,To direct our feet into the way of peace."

Berean Standard Bible
to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

Contemporary English Version
On us who live in the dark shadow of death this light will shine to guide us into a life of peace.

Complete Jewish Bible
to shine on those in darkness, living in the shadow of death , and to guide our feet into the paths of peace."

Darby Translation
to shine upon them who were sitting in darkness and in [the] shadow of death, to guide our feet into [the] way of peace.

Easy-to-Read Version
It will bring light to those who live in darkness, in the fear of death. It will guide us into the way that brings peace."

Geneva Bible (1587)
To giue light to them that sit in darknes, and in the shadow of death, & to guide our feete into the way of peace.

George Lamsa Translation
To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Good News Translation
and to shine from heaven on all those who live in the dark shadow of death, to guide our steps into the path of peace."

Lexham English Bible
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace."

Literal Translation
to appear to those sitting in darkness and in shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace. Isa. 9:2

American Standard Version
To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace.

Bible in Basic English
To give light to those in dark places, and in the shade of death, so that our feet may be guided into the way of peace.

Hebrew Names Version
To shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of shalom."

International Standard Version
to shine on those who sit in darkness and in death's shadow,Isaiah 9:2; 42:7; 49:9; Matthew 4:16; Acts 26:18;">[xr] and to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Etheridge Translation
To illumine those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. And to direct our feet into the way of peace.

Murdock Translation
to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death; and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
To geue lyght to them that sitte in darknesse, and in the shadowe of death, to guide our feete into the way of peace.

English Revised Version
To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace.

World English Bible
To shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace."

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace.

Weymouth's New Testament
Dawning on those who now dwell in the darkness and shadow of death--To direct our feet into the path of peace."

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
To yyue liyt to hem that sitten in derknessis and in schadewe of deeth; to dresse oure feet in to the weie of pees.

Update Bible Version
To shine on those that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace.

Webster's Bible Translation
To give light to them that sit in darkness and [in] the shades of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

New English Translation
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

New King James Version
To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."

New Living Translation
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace."

New Life Bible
It will give light to those who live in darkness and are under the shadow of death. It will lead our feet in the way of peace."

New Revised Standard
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
To shine on them who, in the darkness and shade of death, are sitting, to guide our feet into a way of peace.

Douay-Rheims Bible
To enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death: to direct our feet into the way of peace.

Revised Standard Version
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
To geve light to the that sate in darcknes and in shadowe of deth and to gyde oure fete into the waye of peace.

Young's Literal Translation
To give light to those sitting in darkness and death-shade, To guide our feet to a way of peace.'

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
That he might geue light vnto them yt syt in darcknesse and shadowe of death, and to gyde oure fete in to the waye of peace.

Mace New Testament (1729)
to enlighten those, who are in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to direct our steps into the ways of peace."

Simplified Cowboy Version
It'll be a campfire in the darkness. Not even the shadow of death can hide the light that will guide us down the trail that will bring us peace."

Contextual Overview

⁶⁷ And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, ⁶⁸ Blessed bee the Lord God of Israel, for hee hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised vp an horne of saluation for vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid, As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which haue bene since the world began: That wee should be saued from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate vs, That hee would grant vnto vs, that wee beeing deliuered out of the hands of our enemies, might serue him without feare, In holinesse and righteousnesse before him, all the dayes of our life. And thou childe shalt bee called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord to prepare his wayes. To giue knowledge of saluation vnto his people, by the remission of their sinnes, Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited vs, To giue light to them that sit in darknes, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the childe grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts, till the day of his shewing vnto Israel. ⁶⁹span data-lang="eng" data-trans="kja" data-ref="luk.1.1" class="versetxt"> Forasmuch as many haue taken in hande to set foorth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely beleeued among vs, Euen as they deliuered them vnto vs, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses, & ministers of the word: It seemed good to me also, hauing had perfect vnderstanding of things from the very first, to write vnto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainetie of those things wherein thou hast bene instructed. There was in the dayes of Herode the king of Iudea, a certaine Priest, named Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the Commandements and ordinances of the Lord, blamelesse. And they had no childe, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well striken in yeeres. And it came to passe, that while he executed the Priests office before God in the order of his course, According to the custome of the Priests office, his lot was to burne incense when he went into the Temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at the time of incense. And there appeared vnto him an Angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the Altar of incense. And when Zacharias sawe him, hee was troubled, and feare fell vpon him. But the Angel said vnto him, Feare not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall beare thee a sonne, and thou shalt call his name Iohn. And thou shalt haue ioy and gladnesse, and many shall reioyce at his birth: For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shal drinke neither wine, nor strong drinke, and he shall bee filled with the holy Ghost, euen from his mothers wombe. And many of the children of Israel shall hee turne to the Lord their God. And hee shall goe before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turne the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisedome of the iust, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said vnto the Angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well striken in yeeres. And the Angel answering, said vnto him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speake vnto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And behold, thou shalt be dumbe, and not able to speake, vntill the day that these things shall bee performed, because thou beleeuest not my words, which shall bee fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zacharias, and maruelled that hee taried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speake vnto them: and they perceiued that he had seene a vision in the temple: for he beckened vnto them, and remained speechlesse. And it came to passe, that as soone as the dayes of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his owne house. And after those dayes his wife Elizabeth conceiued, and hid her selfe fiue moneths, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the dayes wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproch among men. And in the sixt moneth, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God, vnto a citie of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgine espoused to a man whose name was Ioseph, of the house of Dauid, and the virgins name was Marie. And the Angel came in vnto her, and said, Haile thou that art highly fauoured, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her minde what maner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said vnto her, Feare not, Marie, for thou hast found fauour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceiue in thy wombe, and bring forth a sonne, and shalt call his name Iesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the sonne of the Highest, and the Lord God shall giue vnto him the throne of his father Dauid. And hee shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer, and of his kingdome there shall be no end. Then said Marie vnto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the Angel answered and said vnto her, The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee, and the power of the Highest shall ouershadow thee. Therefore also that holy thing which shall bee borne of thee, shall bee called the sonne of God. And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceiued a sonne in her old age, and this is the sixt moneth with her, who was called barren. For with God no thing shall be vnpossible. And Marie said, Behold the handmaide of the Lord, be it vnto me according to thy word: and the Angel departed from her. And Marie arose in those dayes, and went into the hill countrey with haste, into a citie of Iuda, And entred into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to passe that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Marie, the babe leaped in her wombe, and Elizabeth was filled with the holy Ghost. And she spake out with a loud voyce, and saide, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to mee? For loe, assoone as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine eares, the babe leaped in my wombe for ioy. And blessed is she that beleeued, for there shalbe a performance of those things, which were told her from the Lord. And Marie said, My soule doth magnifie the Lord. And my spirit hath reioyced in God my sauiour. For hee hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from hencefoorth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to mee great things, and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that feare him, from generation to generation. Hee hath shewed strength with his arme, he hath scattered the proud, in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put downe the mighty from their seates, and exalted them of low degree. Hee hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich hee hath sent emptie away. Hee hath holpen his seruant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for euer. And Mary abode with her about three moneths, and returned to her owne house. Now Elizabeths full time came, that shee should be deliuered, and shee brought foorth a sonne. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy vpon her, and they reioyced with her. And it came to passe that on the eight day they came to circumcise the childe, and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered, and said, Not so, but he shalbe called Iohn. And they said vnto her, There is none of thy kinred that is called by this name. And they made signes to his father, how he would haue him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is Iohn: and they marueiled all. And his mouth was opened immediatly, and his tongue loosed, and hee spake, and praised God. And feare came on all that dwelt round about them, and all these sayings were noised abroad thorowout all the hill countrey of Iudea. And all they that had heard them, layde them vp in their hearts, saying, What maner of childe shal this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed bee the Lord God of Israel, for hee hath visited and redeemed his people, ⁷⁰ And hath raised vp an horne of saluation for vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid, ⁷¹ As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which haue bene since the world began: ⁷² That wee should be saued from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate vs, That hee would grant vnto vs, that wee beeing deliuered out of the hands of our enemies, might serue him without feare, In holinesse and righteousnesse before him, all the dayes of our life. And thou childe shalt bee called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord to prepare his wayes. To giue knowledge of saluation vnto his people, by the remission of their sinnes, Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited vs, To giue light to them that sit in darknes, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the childe grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts, till the day of his shewing vnto Israel. ⁷³span data-lang="eng" data-trans="kja" data-ref="luk.1.1" class="versetxt"> Forasmuch as many haue taken in hande to set foorth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely beleeued among vs, Euen as they deliuered them vnto vs, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses, & ministers of the word: It seemed good to me also, hauing had perfect vnderstanding of things from the very first, to write vnto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainetie of those things wherein thou hast bene instructed. There was in the dayes of Herode the king of Iudea, a certaine Priest, named Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the Commandements and ordinances of the Lord, blamelesse. And they had no childe, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well striken in yeeres. And it came to passe, that while he executed the Priests office before God in the order of his course, According to the custome of the Priests office, his lot was to burne incense when he went into the Temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at the time of incense. And there appeared vnto him an Angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the Altar of incense. And when Zacharias sawe him, hee was troubled, and feare fell vpon him. But the Angel said vnto him, Feare not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall beare thee a sonne, and thou shalt call his name Iohn. And thou shalt haue ioy and gladnesse, and many shall reioyce at his birth: For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shal drinke neither wine, nor strong drinke, and he shall bee filled with the holy Ghost, euen from his mothers wombe. And many of the children of Israel shall hee turne to the Lord their God. And hee shall goe before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turne the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisedome of the iust, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said vnto the Angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well striken in yeeres. And the Angel answering, said vnto him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speake vnto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And behold, thou shalt be dumbe, and not able to speake, vntill the day that these things shall bee performed, because thou beleeuest not my words, which shall bee fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zacharias, and maruelled that hee taried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speake vnto them: and they perceiued that he had seene a vision in the temple: for he beckened vnto them, and remained speechlesse. And it came to passe, that as soone as the dayes of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his owne house. And after those dayes his wife Elizabeth conceiued, and hid her selfe fiue moneths, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the dayes wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproch among men. And in the sixt moneth, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God, vnto a citie of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgine espoused to a man whose name was Ioseph, of the house of Dauid, and the virgins name was Marie. And the Angel came in vnto her, and said, Haile thou that art highly fauoured, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her minde what maner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said vnto her, Feare not, Marie, for thou hast found fauour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceiue in thy wombe, and bring forth a sonne, and shalt call his name Iesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the sonne of the Highest, and the Lord God shall giue vnto him the throne of his father Dauid. And hee shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer, and of his kingdome there shall be no end. Then said Marie vnto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the Angel answered and said vnto her, The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee, and the power of the Highest shall ouershadow thee. Therefore also that holy thing which shall bee borne of thee, shall bee called the sonne of God. And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceiued a sonne in her old age, and this is the sixt moneth with her, who was called barren. For with God no thing shall be vnpossible. And Marie said, Behold the handmaide of the Lord, be it vnto me according to thy word: and the Angel departed from her. And Marie arose in those dayes, and went into the hill countrey with haste, into a citie of Iuda, And entred into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to passe that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Marie, the babe leaped in her wombe, and Elizabeth was filled with the holy Ghost. And she spake out with a loud voyce, and saide, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to mee? For loe, assoone as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine eares, the babe leaped in my wombe for ioy. And blessed is she that beleeued, for there shalbe a performance of those things, which were told her from the Lord. And Marie said, My soule doth magnifie the Lord. And my spirit hath reioyced in God my sauiour. For hee hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from hencefoorth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to mee great things, and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that feare him, from generation to generation. Hee hath shewed strength with his arme, he hath scattered the proud, in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put downe the mighty from their seates, and exalted them of low degree. Hee hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich hee hath sent emptie away. Hee hath holpen his seruant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for euer. And Mary abode with her about three moneths, and returned to her owne house. Now Elizabeths full time came, that shee should be deliuered, and shee brought foorth a sonne. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy vpon her, and they reioyced with her. And it came to passe that on the eight day they came to circumcise the childe, and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered, and said, Not so, but he shalbe called Iohn. And they said vnto her, There is none of thy kinred that is called by this name. And they made signes to his father, how he would haue him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is Iohn: and they marueiled all. And his mouth was opened immediatly, and his tongue loosed, and hee spake, and praised God. And feare came on all that dwelt round about them, and all these sayings were noised abroad thorowout all the hill countrey of Iudea. And all they that had heard them, layde them vp in their hearts, saying, What maner of childe shal this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed bee the Lord God of Israel, for hee hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised vp an horne of saluation for vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid, As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which haue bene since the world began: That wee should be saued from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate vs, ⁷⁴ That hee would grant vnto vs, that wee beeing deliuered out of the hands of our enemies, might serue him without feare, ⁷⁵ In holinesse and righteousnesse before him, all the dayes of our life. ⁷⁶ And thou childe shalt bee called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord to prepare his wayes.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

give: Luke 2:32, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 42:7, Isaiah 42:16, Isaiah 49:6, Isaiah 49:9, Isaiah 60:1-3, Matthew 4:16, John 1:9, John 8:12, John 9:5, John 12:46, Acts 26:18, Ephesians 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:5, 1 John 1:5-7

and: Job 3:5, Job 10:22, Psalms 23:4, Psalms 44:19, Psalms 107:10, Psalms 107:14, Jeremiah 2:6

to guide: Psalms 25:8-10, Psalms 25:12, Psalms 85:10-13, Proverbs 3:17, Proverbs 8:20, Isaiah 48:17, Isaiah 48:22, Isaiah 57:19-21, Isaiah 59:8, Jeremiah 6:16, Matthew 11:28, Matthew 11:29, Romans 3:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:37 - give Leviticus 24:2 - the lamps 2 Samuel 23:4 - as the light 1 Kings 11:36 - David 2 Chronicles 21:7 - as he promised Job 12:22 - bringeth Psalms 18:28 - my God Psalms 31:3 - lead Isaiah 2:5 - come ye Amos 5:8 - and turneth Micah 7:8 - when I sit Zechariah 14:6 - not Matthew 2:2 - his Luke 2:14 - and John 1:4 - the life John 9:39 - that they John 14:27 - Peace I leave Acts 16:17 - the way Romans 2:10 - and peace Romans 2:19 - a light Ephesians 2:14 - our Philippians 4:7 - the peace 1 Peter 2:9 - who 1 Peter 3:11 - seek 2 Peter 1:19 - a light 1 John 2:8 - the darkness Revelation 2:28 - General

Gill's Notes on the Bible

To give light to them that sit in darkness,.... God's elect among the Jews, who were not only in a state of unregeneracy, which is a state of darkness, ignorance, and unbelief; but in the darkness of the legal dispensation, and at this time under more than ordinary darkness and ignorance; having lost the knowledge of the righteousness of God, and of the spirituality of his law, the true sense of the Scriptures, and right notions of the Messiah; being led by blind guides, the Scribes and Pharisees;

and, were as it were also,

in the shadow of death; in a state seemingly irrecoverable, when Christ, the great light arose, and shone upon them; and communicated spiritual light, life, and heat unto them; see Isaiah 9:2 compared with Matthew 4:13 though Christ is also a light, to lighten his chosen ones among the Gentiles, Luke 2:32 but the Jews seem chiefly to be intended here:

to guide our feet into the way of peace; which we knew not: not that he came to teach us how to make our peace with God, but to make peace for us, by the blood of his cross; and so by his Spirit and word, lead us into the true way of enjoying spiritual peace here, and eternal peace hereafter.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

To give light ... - See the notes at Matthew 4:16.

To guide our feet ... - The figure in these verses is taken from travelers, who, being overtaken by night, know not what to do, and who wait patiently for the morning light, that they may know which way to go. So man wandered. So he became benighted. So he sat in the shadow of death. So he knew not which way to go until the Sun of righteousness arose, and then the light shone brightly on his way, and the road was open to the promised land of rest - to heaven.

This song of Zechariah is exceedingly beautiful. It expresses with elegance the great points of the plan of redemption, and the mercy of God in providing that plan. That mercy is “great.” It is worthy of praise - of our highest, loftiest songs of thanksgiving; for we were in the shadow of death - sinful, wretched, wandering - and the light arose, the gospel came, and people may rejoice in hope of eternal life.