Bible Encyclopedias
Light; Lightness

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

lı̄t´nes : "Light" is used in Scripture, as in ordinary speech, in the sense of what is small, slight, trivial, easy; "lightness" with the connotation of vacillation or lasciviousness. Thus in the Old Testament, "a light thing," a small, easy, slight thing ( קלל , ḳālal , 2 Kings 3:18; Isaiah 49:6; Ezekiel 8:17; Ezekiel 22:7 , in the last case "to treat slightingly"). "Lightness" (קול , ḳōl ) occurs in Jeremiah 3:9 ("the lightness of her whoredom"); in Jeremiah 23:32 , the Revised Version (British and American) changes "lightness" (a different word) to "vain boasting." In the New Testament the phrase occurs in Matthew 22:5 , "made light of it" (ἀμελέω , ameléō ), i.e. "treated it with neglect"; and Paul asks (2 Corinthians 1:17 ), "Did I show lightness?" (the Revised Version (British and American) "fickleness"). These examples sufficiently illustrate the meaning.