Re: Fiat Lux

Matthew Kehrt wrote:

>Fiat lux = 'Let there be light' in Latin.
>I am confused how this statement works.  Lux is obviously light, but
>what is fiat?  It seems to be a command of some sort.  Does Latin then
>have a verb for 'to allow to be'?  Or is there some sort of 'allowative'
>mood or voice?  Maybe fiat is an interjection, a la 'lo'.

"Fiat" is 3d sing, pres. subjunctive of a very peculiar verb-- it has active
conjugation, but passive meaning: 'to be made'.  (Likely the only such verb,
unlike sequor, sequi 'to follow'-- passive conjugation, active meaning-- the
more usual type of "deponent" verb. )  I suspect it was irregular in other
ways, and may only have occured in 3d person, but perhaps Ray Brown will
give us the details.  The only other well-known occurrence I can think of
is:  "Poeta nascitur, non fit" 'a poet is born, not made'.(3d sing.,
indicative)

I look forward to Ray's answer-- I never quite understood why this verb was
needed.  What was the matter with the passive of facio, facere?  (On the
basis of two exs., perhaps 'to be done, performed' vs. 'to be created'?