Context

"In the beginning," there was basically nothing. And, boy, was it dark. How's a god, even a capital-G God, supposed to create anything with it being pitch black up in the universe? God couldn't see a thing, so the first thing he did was say, "let there be light" and—boom—there was light.

NB: "Boom" was not in the original text.

Where you've heard it

This one's a biggie, so you'll see all over the place:

• It was ilustrated by the perpetually scowling Lego god in The Brick Testament.
• There are many books, both religious and secular that borrow this Bible verse as their title.
• Light is a fundamental symbol in Freemasonry. Allegedly.
• Nas's track "Let There Be Light" off the album Hip-Hop is Dead works in a Bible verse or two.
• Somehow this line explains quantum mechanics, or vice versa...or something.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

If you're just turning on a light switch, find a Thomas Edison quote instead.