Noontide, often referred to as "noon" or "midday," is the time of day when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, typically around 12:00 PM. In biblical times, noontide held significant cultural and spiritual connotations, often symbolizing clarity, revelation, and divine intervention. The Bible references noontide in various contexts, highlighting its importance in both daily life and spiritual symbolism.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 91:5-6 : "You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the calamity that destroys at noonday." In this passage, noontide is depicted as a time when calamity can strike, yet the faithful are assured of God's protection. The mention of "calamity that destroys at noonday" suggests that even in the brightest part of the day, when danger might seem least likely, God's safeguarding presence is essential.

2. Acts 22:6 : "About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me." Here, the Apostle Paul recounts his dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus. The noontide setting underscores the intensity and clarity of the divine revelation he received, as the light from heaven outshone even the midday sun.

3. 1 Kings 18:26-29 : In the account of Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal, the time of noontide is significant. "At noon Elijah began to taunt them, 'Shout louder!' he said. 'Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.'" The noontide setting emphasizes the futility of the prophets' efforts and the powerlessness of their god, contrasting with the true power of the God of Israel, which Elijah later demonstrates.

Symbolism and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near East, noontide was often associated with the peak of daily activity and the time when the sun's light was most intense. This period of the day was seen as a time of revelation and truth, as the brightness of the sun symbolized clarity and the uncovering of hidden things. In biblical literature, noontide can represent both the zenith of human endeavor and the moment of divine intervention.

The use of noontide in biblical narratives often serves to highlight moments of significant spiritual insight or divine action. The brightness of the midday sun serves as a metaphor for God's illuminating presence, bringing truth and understanding to His people. In this way, noontide is not merely a time of day but a symbol of God's active engagement with the world, revealing His will and purpose to those who seek Him.

Practical Implications:

For believers, the concept of noontide can serve as a reminder of the importance of seeking God's presence and guidance in the midst of daily life. Just as the sun reaches its peak at noon, so too can believers strive to align their lives with God's will, seeking His light to guide their paths. The assurance of God's protection and revelation at noontide encourages Christians to trust in His provision and to remain vigilant in their faith, even during the brightest and busiest times of their lives.(n.) The time of noon; midday.

Love Makes Suns
... editions of this metaphor in the Old Testament has it, 'The path of the just is
as the shining light, that shineth more and more until the noontide of the day ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/love makes suns.htm

Entire Sanctification in Patriarchal Times.
... first just a few faint streaks of light that usher in the dawn, then broad daylight
and sunrise, and finally the meridian splendor of the noontide, we are not ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iii entire sanctification in.htm

Introductory Note to the Works of Origen.
... [1865] But in Origen, his pupil, who succeeded him at the surprising age
of eighteen, a new sun was to rise upon its noontide. Truly ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/introductory note to the works.htm

The First Ministry of the Baptist.
... of pilgrims was slowly climbing the mountain gorges threaded by the road between
Jerusalem and Jericho, or halted for a moment in the noontide heat, they were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/v the first ministry of.htm

The Home Scene.
... tones and footsteps flying, Thou whose calm soul was like a well-spring, lying So
deep and still in its transparent rest, That e'en when noontide burns upon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/ii the home scene.htm

John 0. 297222222 "To Whom?"
... Yes! many, not a few, many in the noontide blaze of miracles and sermons, such as
earth had never seen or heard before, many turned away from Christ, left Him ...
/.../chapter xi john 0 297222222 to.htm

29Th Day. A Nightless Heaven.
... "His going forth is prepared as the morning." That glorious appearing shall disperse
every cloud, and usher in an eternal noontide which knows no twilight. ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/29th day a nightless heaven.htm

The Ministry of Intercession
... up-welling In morning's pearly light; Through evening's shadows swelling In grandly
gathering might; The sultry silence filling Of noontide's thunderous glow ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/the ministry of intercession.htm

The Joyous Return
... been more terrible in judgment. Where we looked for the blackness of darkness,
behold a noontide of light! While I am preaching ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the joyous return.htm

"Show Me Thy Glory!"
... and broke; it was like that. One day, in the broad noontide, a woman suddenly
fell in the street. Someone carried her into a house ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxxii show me thy.htm

Noontide (2 Occurrences)
...Noontide (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 38:10 I said, In the noontide of my days I shall
go into the gates of Sheol: I am deprived of the residue of my years. ...
/n/noontide.htm - 7k

Noon-day (8 Occurrences)
Noon-day. Noonday, Noon-day. Noontide . Multi-Version Concordance Noon-day
(8 Occurrences). ... (WBS). Noonday, Noon-day. Noontide . Reference Bible.
/n/noon-day.htm - 8k

Noontime (2 Occurrences)

/n/noontime.htm - 6k

Cutting (178 Occurrences)
... and cutting it short," i. e; "making it conclusive and brief." "mutilate themselves,"
the American Standard Revised Version "go "rest"), "noontide," margin "Or ...
/c/cutting.htm - 46k

Nether-world (41 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Isaiah 38:10 I said, In the noontide of my days I shall go into the gates
of Sheol: I am deprived of the residue of my years. (See JPS). ...
/n/nether-world.htm - 16k

Cut (616 Occurrences)
... and cutting it short," i. e; "making it conclusive and brief." "mutilate themselves,"
the American Standard Revised Version "go "rest"), "noontide," margin "Or ...
/c/cut.htm - 45k

Repented (49 Occurrences)
... And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and
let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide; (KJV JPS ...
/r/repented.htm - 22k

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