2 Peter 1:19

Authorized King James Version

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We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Original Language Analysis

καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔχομεν We have G2192
ἔχομεν We have
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 2 of 27
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
βεβαιότερον a more sure G949
βεβαιότερον a more sure
Strong's: G949
Word #: 3 of 27
stable (literally or figuratively)
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφητικὸν of prophecy G4397
προφητικὸν of prophecy
Strong's: G4397
Word #: 5 of 27
pertaining to a foreteller ("prophetic")
λόγον word G3056
λόγον word
Strong's: G3056
Word #: 6 of 27
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
οὗ whereunto G3739
οὗ whereunto
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 7 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καλῶς well G2573
καλῶς well
Strong's: G2573
Word #: 8 of 27
well (usually morally)
ποιεῖτε ye do G4160
ποιεῖτε ye do
Strong's: G4160
Word #: 9 of 27
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
προσέχοντες that ye take heed G4337
προσέχοντες that ye take heed
Strong's: G4337
Word #: 10 of 27
(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to
ὡς as G5613
ὡς as
Strong's: G5613
Word #: 11 of 27
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
λύχνῳ unto a light G3088
λύχνῳ unto a light
Strong's: G3088
Word #: 12 of 27
a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively)
φαίνοντι that shineth G5316
φαίνοντι that shineth
Strong's: G5316
Word #: 13 of 27
to lighten (shine), i.e., show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 14 of 27
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
αὐχμηρῷ a dark G850
αὐχμηρῷ a dark
Strong's: G850
Word #: 15 of 27
properly, dirty, i.e., (by implication) obscure
τόπῳ place G5117
τόπῳ place
Strong's: G5117
Word #: 16 of 27
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
ἕως until G2193
ἕως until
Strong's: G2193
Word #: 17 of 27
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
οὗ whereunto G3739
οὗ whereunto
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 18 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἡμέρα the day G2250
ἡμέρα the day
Strong's: G2250
Word #: 19 of 27
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
διαυγάσῃ dawn G1306
διαυγάσῃ dawn
Strong's: G1306
Word #: 20 of 27
to glimmer through, i.e., break (as day)
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 21 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φωσφόρος the day star G5459
φωσφόρος the day star
Strong's: G5459
Word #: 22 of 27
light-bearing ("phosphorus"), i.e., (specially), the morning-star (figuratively)
ἀνατείλῃ arise G393
ἀνατείλῃ arise
Strong's: G393
Word #: 23 of 27
to (cause to) arise
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 24 of 27
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
ταῖς G3588
ταῖς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 25 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίαις hearts G2588
καρδίαις hearts
Strong's: G2588
Word #: 26 of 27
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
ὑμῶν your G5216
ὑμῶν your
Strong's: G5216
Word #: 27 of 27
of (from or concerning) you

Analysis & Commentary

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. After citing eyewitness experience (vv. 16-18), Peter surprisingly declares "we have also a more sure word of prophecy" (kai echomen bebaioteron ton prophētikon logon, καὶ ἔχομεν βεβαιότερον τὸν προφητικὸν λόγον). This doesn't mean prophecy is more certain than apostolic eyewitness but that apostolic experience confirms and establishes prophetic Scripture's reliability. The Transfiguration validated Old Testament prophecies about Messiah's glory.

"Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed" (hō kalōs poieite prosechontes) urges careful attention to Scripture. Peter compares it to "a light that shineth in a dark place" (lychnō phainonti en auchmērō topō, λύχνῳ φαίνοντι ἐν αὐχμηρῷ τόπῳ)—a lamp illuminating murky darkness. The present age is morally and spiritually dark; Scripture provides light for navigation until "the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts" (heōs hou hēmera diaugasē kai phōsphoros anatelē en tais kardiais hymōn).

"Day star" (phōsphoros, φωσφόρος, literally "light-bearer") is the morning star (Venus), heralding dawn. This likely refers to Christ's return (Rev 22:16) or the full illumination believers will receive at glorification. "In your hearts" indicates internal enlightenment accompanying external revelation. Until Christ returns fully manifesting truth, believers must attend carefully to Scripture's prophetic light, which guides through present darkness toward future glory.

Historical Context

Judaism highly valued prophetic Scripture as God's revealed word, meticulously preserving and studying it. Jesus affirmed Scripture's authority (Matt 5:17-18; John 10:35) and showed how it testified to Him (Luke 24:27, 44-47). The early church inherited this reverence for Old Testament Scripture while recognizing apostolic writings as equally authoritative (2 Pet 3:15-16).

The metaphor of light in darkness pervades biblical theology (Ps 119:105; Prov 6:23; Isa 9:2; John 1:4-9; 8:12). The present evil age, under Satan's dominion (2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2; 1 John 5:19), is morally dark, unable to know God apart from revelation. Scripture functions as God's self-disclosure, illuminating truth about Him, humanity, salvation, and living rightly. Until Christ returns bringing full knowledge (1 Cor 13:12), believers depend on Scripture's light for guidance.

Questions for Reflection