Bible Dictionary
RADIANT
Radiant means shining or brightened. In Scripture it describes the joyful brightness of those who look to the Lord and are enlightened by him.
Definition
Radiant means shining, brightened, or cheerful. The word can also carry the related idea of flowing or assembling, as light seems to sparkle and spread across a face.
Biblical Usage
The American Standard Revised Version uses “radiant” where earlier English versions have “were lightened” in Psalm 34:5 and Isaiah 60:5. Those who look to Yahweh are portrayed as receiving and displaying reflected brightness.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ra'-di-ant (nahar, "to sparkle" i.e. (figurative) be cheerful; hence (from the sheen of a running stream), to flow, i.e. (figurative) assemble; flow (together), be lightened): the American Standard Revised Version substitutes the active "radiant" for the passive "were lightened" in Ps 34:5; Isa 60:5 (English Revised Version, the King James Version "flow together"). As the earth and moon, both being dark, face a common sun and lighten each other, they are not only lightened, but radiant. So with the believers, "They looked unto him (Yahweh), and were radiant." Thus nahar combines the two ideas of being lightened and flowing together. This appears, also, in a different connection, in Isa 60:5, "Then thou shalt see and be radiant." "It is liquid light--light that ripples and sparkles and runs across the face; .... the light which a face catches from sparkling water" (G.A. Smith, Isaiah, II, 430).</p><p>M. O. Evans</p>