### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word φέγγος (phéngos, `{{G5338}}`) is defined primarily as "brilliancy" or "radiance," referring to the visible emanation or glow of light. It is closely related to φῶς (phōs, `{{G5457}}`), which denotes "light" in its broader sense, often referring to the source or essence of light. While φῶς can signify light itself, φέγγος specifically describes the *shine*, *gleam*, or *splendor* that light produces. It is the visible manifestation of illumination, rather than the illuminating source itself. The semantic range of φέγγος is thus focused on the observable effect of light, such as the brilliance of celestial bodies like the sun, moon, or stars.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term φέγγος (phéngos, `{{G5338}}`) appears in the New Testament in a very limited, yet highly significant, set of parallel passages within the Synoptic Gospels:
* **[[Matthew 24:29]]**: "The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its *light* (φέγγος)."
* **[[Mark 13:24]]**: "The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its *light* (φέγγος)."
* **[[Luke 21:25]]**: "There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars... the moon will not give its *light* (φέγγος)."
In all three instances, φέγγος refers specifically to the moon's reflected light or visible brilliance. These verses are part of the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus describes the signs preceding His second coming and the end of the age. The cessation of the moon's φέγγος, alongside the darkening of the sun and the falling of stars, constitutes a dramatic cosmic disruption. This signifies a profound upheaval of the natural order, serving as an unmistakable sign of divine judgment and the impending revelation of the Son of Man. The loss of the moon's familiar glow emphasizes a transition from a world illuminated by created light to an era where the ultimate, uncreated Light of Christ will be revealed. It underscores the dependence of the moon's light on an external source and its vulnerability to divine decree, signaling the end of one cosmic epoch and the dawning of another.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **φῶς (phōs, `{{G5457}}`):** The most crucial related term. While φῶς encompasses the essence, source, and general concept of light (e.g., God as light, Christ as the light of the world), φέγγος is the *result* or *manifestation* of that light—its brilliance or glow. φῶς is the substance; φέγγος is its visible effect.
* **λαμπρότης (lamprotēs, `{{G2987}}`):** Meaning "brilliance," "radiance," or "splendor," this term shares a semantic overlap with φέγγος in describing outward shininess. However, φέγγος is specifically tied to the emanation of light from a luminous body.
* **ἀστραπή (astrapē, `{{G796}}`):** "Lightning," "flash of light." This term refers to a sudden, intense burst of light, often associated with divine power or sudden appearance, distinct from the steady brilliance of φέγγος.
* **σκοτία (skotia, `{{G4653}}`)/σκότος (skotos, `{{G4655}}`):** "Darkness." These terms represent the direct antithesis to φέγγος. The absence of φέγγος implies the presence of darkness, both literally in the cosmos and metaphorically in a spiritual sense.
### Theological Significance
The restricted but powerful usage of φέγγος in the New Testament carries profound theological weight, primarily within the context of eschatology:
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Creation:** The declaration that "the moon will not give its φέγγος" vividly portrays God's absolute control over the cosmos. The reliable, fundamental rhythms of creation, including the moon's light, are entirely subject to His will and can be altered or suspended as a sign of His impending intervention. This highlights the created order's subservience to the Creator.
2. **Cosmic Signs of the End Times:** The cessation of celestial light, including the moon's φέγγος, serves as a dramatic and unmistakable sign of the "great tribulation" and the imminent return of Christ. It is a visible manifestation of cosmic disorder that precedes the ultimate establishment of God's perfect order. This disruption of natural light underscores the profound spiritual darkness and chaos that will precede the breaking forth of Christ's true light.
3. **Contrast with Christ's Unfailing Light:** The temporary, reflective, and ultimately extinguishable nature of the moon's φέγγος stands in stark contrast to the eternal, self-existent, and uncreated light of Christ (φῶς). While the moon's brilliance can fail, Christ's light never diminishes. The fading of created φέγγος prepares the way for the revelation of ultimate, divine light, where there will be no need for sun or moon, for the Lord God Himself will be the light ([[Revelation 21:23]], [[Revelation 22:5]]).
4. **Symbol of Judgment and Warning:** The dimming of the moon's light is a powerful visual metaphor for impending divine judgment. It serves as a solemn warning to humanity, urging repentance and vigilance, for the time of the Lord's coming will be marked by unprecedented disruption and a stripping away of all that is natural and familiar, culminating in the revealing of His glory.
### Summary
φέγγος (phéngos, `{{G5338}}`) is a Greek term signifying "brilliancy" or the visible "light" emitted or reflected, particularly from celestial bodies. It specifically denotes the manifestation or glow of light, distinct from φῶς (phōs, `{{G5457}}`), which refers to light in its essence or source. Its rare but potent occurrences in the New Testament are exclusively found in the Synoptic Gospels ([[Matthew 24:29]], [[Mark 13:24]], [[Luke 21:25]]), where it describes the moon's failure to give its light as a climactic sign of the end times. This cosmic disruption highlights God's absolute sovereignty over creation, serves as a stark warning of impending judgment, and underscores the temporary nature of created light in contrast to the eternal, uncreated light of Christ. The cessation of φέγγος thus signals a profound shift from a world reliant on natural illumination to the dawning of a new era defined by divine revelation and the radiant presence of the Son of Man.
TRV