יְהִי אוֹר
yehí or
The phrase "let there be light" in Hebrew is יְהִי אוֹר (yehí or).
This phrase is most famously recognized as the biblical command from the Book of Genesis regarding the creation of light.
Meaning: Translations (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of two parts: יְהִי, which means "let there be" or "may there be" and אוֹר, which means "light".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the jussive mood to express a divine command or a strong desire for a state to come into existence. Specifically, יְהִי is the third-person singular imperfect form of the verb "to be", used here in the jussive mood to express a command or wish.
How do you pronounce it?
yehí or
Did you know?
- In Jewish mystical traditions, the light in יְהִי אוֹר is not viewed as photons or sunlight, but as a primordial substance that existed before the physical universe.
- When this phrase is read during traditional liturgy, it is often chanted with a unique melodic cadence that signals it is a cosmic decree rather than a standard sentence.
- While אוֹר refers to 'light' itself, Hebrew uses a different word, מְאוֹרָה, to describe the physical objects that produce light, such as the sun and moon.
Examples in context
- וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי אוֹר וַיְהִי-אוֹר.And God said: Let there be light. And there was light.This sentence is useful for showing the biblical context of the phrase יְהִי אוֹר.Tatoeba #7880662 by fekundulo, translation #663803 by bluepie88
- יְהִי אוֹר. וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים אֶת-הָאוֹר כִּי-טוֹבLet there be light. And God saw the light, that it was good
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are entering a dark basement together.
- עגור Adiדניאל, אני לא רואה כלום כאן.Daniel, ani lo ro'ah klum kan.Daniel, I can't see anything here.
- דניאל Danielחכי רגע, אני מחפש את השalter.Chaki rega, ani mechapes et ha-shalter.Wait a moment, I'm looking for the switch.
- דניאל Danielמצאתי! יְהִי אוֹר!Matzati! Yehi or!Found it! Let there be light!
- עגור Adiסוף סוף, עכשיו אפשר לראות.Sof sof, achshav efshar lir'ot.Finally, now we can see.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “let there be light” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
