Topical Encyclopedia IntroductionThe concepts of day and night are foundational in the biblical narrative, symbolizing not only the physical division of time but also spiritual and moral dichotomies. From the creation account in Genesis to the eschatological visions in Revelation, day and night serve as metaphors for light and darkness, good and evil, knowledge and ignorance. Creation and Order The Bible begins with the establishment of day and night as part of God's creative order. In Genesis 1:3-5 , it is written: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day,' and the darkness He called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." This passage underscores the divine authority in creating and naming the cycles of time, setting a pattern for the rest of creation. Symbolism and Theology Day and night are often used symbolically throughout Scripture. Daylight is associated with God's presence, truth, and righteousness. Psalm 118:24 declares, "This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Here, the day is a time for rejoicing and acknowledging God's sovereignty. Conversely, night often symbolizes danger, sin, and separation from God. In John 11:10 , Jesus states, "But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light." This metaphorical use of night highlights the perils of living apart from divine guidance. Moral and Spiritual Implications The dichotomy of day and night extends to moral and spiritual teachings. In Romans 13:12 , Paul exhorts believers: "The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." Here, the transition from night to day represents the call to live in holiness and readiness for Christ's return. Eschatological Significance In eschatological contexts, the imagery of day and night is used to describe the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. Revelation 21:25 speaks of the New Jerusalem: "On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there." This vision of eternal day signifies the complete and everlasting presence of God, where darkness and sin are no more. Practical Observations The regular cycle of day and night serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the order He established in creation. Lamentations 3:22-23 reflects this: "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" Each new day is an opportunity to experience God's mercy and grace. Conclusion Day and night, as presented in the Bible, are more than mere divisions of time. They are rich with theological meaning, reflecting God's creative power, moral order, and eschatological promises. Through these cycles, believers are called to live in the light of God's truth and anticipate the eternal day of His kingdom. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Day and NightDAY AND NIGHT "Day," yom; ordinarily, the Hebrew "day" lasted from dawn to the coming forth of the starts (Nehemiah 4:21). The context usually makes it clear whether the term "day" refers to the period of twenty-four hours or to daytime; when there was a possibility of confusion, the term laylah, "night," was added (Genesis 7:4, 12; Genesis 31:39). The "day" is reckoned from evening to evening, in accordance with the order noted in the account of Creation, namely, "And there was evening and there was morning, one day" (Genesis 1:5); Leviticus 23:32 and Daniel 8:14 reflect the same mode of reckoning the day. The phrase `erebh boker, "evening-morning," used in this last passage, is simply a variation of yom and laylah, "day" and "night"; it is the equivalent of the Greek nuchthemeron (2 Corinthians 11:25). That the custom of reckoning the day as beginning in the evening and lasting until the following evening was probably of late origin is shown by the phrase "tarry all night" (Judges 19:6-9); the context shows that the day is regarded as beginning in the morning; in the evening the day "declined," and until the new day (morning) arrived it was necessary to "tarry all night" (compare also Numbers 11:32). Greek 3574. nuchthemeron -- lasting a night and a day ... Transliteration: nuchthemeron Phonetic Spelling: (nookh-thay'-mer-on) Short Definition: twenty-four hours Definition: a night and day, twenty-four hours. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3574.htm - 6k 4594. semeron -- today 1966. epiousa -- following, next. 5438. phulake -- a guarding, guard, watch 1773. ennuchos -- nightly, neut. as adv. by night 3319. mesos -- middle, in the midst Strong's Hebrew 5399. nesheph -- twilight... Word Origin from nashaph Definition twilight NASB Word Usage dawn (2), dusky (1), evening (1), twilight (8). dark, dawning of the day morning, night, twilight. ... /hebrew/5399.htm - 6k 6153. ereb -- evening Library Psalm 121 Preservation by Day and Night. Psalm 121:2. CM Preservation by Day and Night. Of the Lights and Stars of Heaven --Of Day and Night, Ver. 14 "Day unto Day Uttereth Speech, and Night unto Night Showeth ... The Day Fades into Night, Night and Day (Preached at the Chapel Royal) On Heavenly Objects "Nothing is Impossible to Industry, "Said one of the Seven Sages ... The Ceaselessness of Prayer First Sunday in Advent the Night is Far Spent, the Day is at Hand ... Resources What is the National Day of Prayer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the day of the Lord? | GotQuestions.org What is the Day-Age Theory? | GotQuestions.org Day: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Day of Gladness Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Day of Good Tidings Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Day Which the Lord Has Made Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Good Day Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Solemn Day Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Adversity Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Anger Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Calamity Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Darkness Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Destruction Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Evil Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Slaughter Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of The Lord Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Trouble Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Vengeance Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Visitation Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Wrath Day: A Time of Mercy Called a Day of God's Power Day: A Time of Mercy Called a Day of Redemption Day: A Time of Mercy Called a Day of Salvation Day: A Time of Mercy Called a Day of Visitation Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Break of Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Decline of Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Evening Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Morning Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Noon Day: Artificial, the Time of the Sun's Continuance Above The Day: Day's Journey, Eighteen or Twenty Miles Day: Divided Into Twelve Hours Day: Judgment: A Figure of Spiritual Illumination Day: Judgment: Called the Day of the Lord Day: Later Subdivided Into Twelve Hours Day: Made for the Glory of God Day: Natural, from Evening to Evening Day: Proclaims the Glory of God Day: Sabbath Day's Journey, About Two-Thousand Paces Day: Six Working Days Ordained Day: Sometimes Divided Into Four Parts Day: Succession of, Secured by Covenant Day: Th Sixth Day of the Week Called Preparation Day Day: The First Day of the Week Called the Lord's Day Day: Time of, Ascertained by the Dial Day: Times of Adversity Called Day of the Lord Related Terms Preparation-day (1 Occurrence) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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