In biblical terms, the concept of "hour" is significant both in its literal sense and its symbolic meaning. The term "hour" is used throughout the Bible to denote specific times of day, moments of divine intervention, and periods of prophetic fulfillment. The Berean Standard Bible provides several instances where "hour" is mentioned, each carrying its own theological and spiritual implications.

Literal Use of "Hour"

In the literal sense, an "hour" is a unit of time that was understood in the context of the ancient world's division of the day. The Jewish day was typically divided into twelve hours, from sunrise to sunset, making each hour variable in length depending on the season. This is evident in the parable of the workers in the vineyard, where the landowner hires laborers at different hours of the day (Matthew 20:1-16).

Significant Hours in the New Testament

The New Testament frequently uses the term "hour" to highlight pivotal moments in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. One of the most profound uses is found in the Gospel of John, where Jesus often refers to "His hour" as the appointed time for His suffering, death, and glorification. In John 2:4 , during the wedding at Cana, Jesus says to His mother, "Woman, why does this concern us? My hour has not yet come." This indicates a divinely appointed time for His mission to be fulfilled.

Another critical moment is the "hour" of Jesus' crucifixion. In Mark 15:25 , it is noted, "It was the third hour when they crucified Him." This specific mention underscores the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan at a precise moment in history.

Prophetic and Eschatological Significance

The concept of "hour" also carries prophetic and eschatological significance. In Matthew 24:36 , Jesus speaks of the unknown "hour" of His return: "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." This statement emphasizes the suddenness and unpredictability of the Second Coming, urging believers to remain vigilant and prepared.

In the Book of Revelation, the term "hour" is used to describe the swift execution of God's judgment. Revelation 14:7 declares, "Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come." This highlights the immediacy and certainty of divine justice.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the "hour" represents God's sovereign control over time and history. It serves as a reminder of the divine timetable that governs the unfolding of His purposes. Believers are called to recognize the significance of God's timing in their lives, trusting in His perfect plan and remaining faithful in anticipation of His promises.

In summary, the concept of "hour" in the Bible is rich with meaning, encompassing literal, prophetic, and eschatological dimensions. It underscores the importance of divine timing and the fulfillment of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ.

Stones Rolled Away
... There is nothing more impossible than for a man to live a religious life
on an hour's work or an hour's thought a week. A man could ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/i stones rolled away.htm

Jesus at Capernaum.
... is the peak which is very near Nazareth, above the present church of the Maronites,
and not the pretended Mount of Precipitation, at an hour's journey from ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter viii jesus at capernaum.htm

About Adam Clarke
... When it is recalled that all this work was done while Clarke was a busy, itinerant
Wesleyan preacher who never had an hour's secretarial help in his life, it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clarke/entire sanctification/about adam clarke.htm

On Sleeping in Church
... I have chosen these words with design, if possible, to disturb some part in this
audience of half an hour's sleep, for the convenience and exercise whereof ...
/.../swift/three sermons three prayers/on sleeping in church.htm

One Way to Help Boys
... You give the boys three-fourths of an hour's drill again, and in a short time you
have introduced quite a number of virtues into that boy's character. ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/iii one way to help.htm

First, I am to Consider what the Keeping of the Heart Supposes and ...
... to confer with their own hearts: there are some people who have lived forty or fifty
years in the world, and have had scarcely one hour's discourse with their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/first i am to consider.htm

Of Setting Out Tithes.
... Abr.643. pl.1.2 Vent.48.2 Alk.603.2 Bl. Rep.968. When custom, renders notice
necessary, an hour's notice is sufficient.4 Gwill.1438. ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/4 of setting out tithes.htm

Port of Spain
... people who are doing nothing. It is not that they have taken an hour's
holiday to see the packet come in. You will find them, or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter iv port of spain.htm

Paul, the Teacher of Prayer
... those who want the practice come along up to my room!" And again and again they
closed their books and went away to his room, where the hour's theory would be ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xii paul the teacher of.htm

How to Work for God with Success.
... How surprised I have often been at the assumption of people who, perhaps, never
gave one hour's consecutive thought in their lives to the best means of doing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter ix how to work.htm

Hour's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hour's (2 Occurrences). Matthew 20:12 "'These
who came last have done only one hour's work, and you have ...
/h/hour's.htm - 6k

Undergone (20 Occurrences)
... Matthew 20:12 Saying, These last have done only one hour's work, and you have made
them equal to us, who have undergone the hard work of the day and the ...
/u/undergone.htm - 12k

Level (31 Occurrences)
... Matthew 20:12 "'These who came last have done only one hour's work, and you have
put them on a level with us who have worked the whole day and have borne the ...
/l/level.htm - 19k

Worked (145 Occurrences)
... Matthew 20:12 "'These who came last have done only one hour's work, and you have
put them on a level with us who have worked the whole day and have borne the ...
/w/worked.htm - 36k

Rebekah (31 Occurrences)
... When we first see her she is ready to leave her father's house for ever at an hour's
notice; and her future life showed not only a full share of her brother ...
/r/rebekah.htm - 21k

River (189 Occurrences)
... After little more than an hour's rain, the water rose so rapidly in the previously
dry wady that I had to run for my life, and with great difficulty succeeded ...
/r/river.htm - 52k

Delay (47 Occurrences)
... Luke 24:33 So they rose and without an hour's delay returned to Jerusalem, and found
the Eleven and the rest met together, who said to them, (WEY). ...
/d/delay.htm - 21k

March (41 Occurrences)
... steady onward movement. 9. (n.) The distance passed over in marching; as,
an hour's march; a march of twenty miles. 10. (n.) A piece ...
/m/march.htm - 19k

Met (118 Occurrences)
... Luke 24:33 So they rose and without an hour's delay returned to Jerusalem, and found
the Eleven and the rest met together, who said to them, (WEY). ...
/m/met.htm - 37k

Burning (415 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 20:12 Saying, These last have done only one hour's work, and you
have made them equal to us, who have undergone the hard work of the day and the ...
/b/burning.htm - 42k

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