Lexical Summary chatsoth: Middle, half, midst Original Word: חָעוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance midnight From chatsah; the middle (of the night) -- mid(-night). see HEBREW chatsah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chatsah Definition division, middle NASB Translation midnight* (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs [חָצוֺת] noun feminine (Infinitive form.) division, middle — only construct חֲצֹת הַלַּיְלָה Exodus 11:4 (J) = midnight; חֲצוֺת לַיְלָה Job 34:20; Psalm 119:62; in all = adverb. phrase of time (בְּ omitted) Topical Lexicon OverviewThe term denotes the exact middle point of the night and appears three times in the Hebrew Scriptures. In every occurrence the context carries a sense of decisive divine activity—either judgment or worshipful response—underscoring that the darkest hour is never outside the sovereign timetable of God. Occurrences Midnight as the Hour of Divine Intervention 1. Exodus 11:4 situates Israel on the eve of deliverance: “About midnight I will go throughout Egypt.” The timing accentuates both the certainty of God’s judgment on Egypt and the security of the covenant people under the Passover blood (Exodus 12). The exactitude of the hour anticipates later prophetic assurances that God’s acts unfold “at the appointed time” (Habakkuk 2:3). 2. Job 34:20 declares, “In an instant they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away.” Elihu uses the image to stress the impartiality and unpredictability of divine justice. The verse balances Exodus 11:4: deliverance for some, downfall for others, both determined by a holy Judge who needs no human agency (“without human hand”). Midnight as the Hour of Devotion Psalm 119:62 presents a striking contrast: “At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments.” The psalmist’s voluntary vigil answers the compulsory vigil of Exodus 12:42 (“a night of vigil for the LORD”). Worship at midnight becomes an act of solidarity with the God who works at midnight and an expression of trust that His “judgments are true and altogether righteous” (Psalm 19:9). Extending the Motif Across Scripture Although the Hebrew term itself is limited to these passages, the theme threads through the canon: • Judges 16:3—Samson’s escape at midnight. Together they portray midnight as a turning point where the unseen hand of God moves events toward salvation history’s goal. Historical and Liturgical Notes Second Temple sources describe night watches divided into three or four segments; the middle watch was often used for prayer. Early Christian tradition continued the practice, later formalized in monastic vigils. By rising in the night believers imitate the watchful expectancy commended by Jesus (Mark 13:35). Ministry Applications 1. Watchfulness: Midnight reminds disciples that the Lord may act when least expected; spiritual lethargy is perilous. Conclusion Whether signaling rescue, judgment, or worship, the biblical midnight underscores God’s mastery over time and events. It calls every generation to readiness, reverence, and rejoicing in the God who “neither slumbers nor sleeps” (Psalm 121:4), even when the night is at its deepest. Forms and Transliterations וַחֲצ֪וֹת וחצות חֲצֽוֹת־ חצות־ כַּחֲצֹ֣ת כחצת chatzot ḥă·ṣō·wṯ- ḥăṣōwṯ- ka·ḥă·ṣōṯ kachaTzot kaḥăṣōṯ vachaTzot wa·ḥă·ṣō·wṯ waḥăṣōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 11:4 HEB: אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה כַּחֲצֹ֣ת הַלַּ֔יְלָה אֲנִ֥י NAS: the LORD, About midnight I am going INT: says the LORD mid night I am Job 34:20 Psalm 119:62 3 Occurrences |
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