Topical Bible: Night used Figuratively

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In the Bible, "night" is often used figuratively to represent a variety of spiritual and moral conditions, including ignorance, sin, judgment, and separation from God. This symbolic use of "night" contrasts with "day," which typically signifies knowledge, righteousness, and divine presence.

1. Ignorance and Spiritual Blindness: Night is frequently associated with a lack of spiritual understanding or awareness. 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, "night" symbolizes a period of ignorance and moral darkness that is to be cast off as believers embrace the light of Christ.

2. Sin and Moral Darkness: The metaphor of night is also used to describe the state of sin and moral corruption. In John 3:19-20, Jesus explains, "And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." In this context, "darkness" or "night" represents the sinful nature of humanity that shuns the truth and holiness of God.

3. Judgment and Calamity: Night can symbolize times of divine judgment or calamity. In the prophetic literature, such as Isaiah 21:11-12, the watchman is asked, "Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?" The watchman replies, "Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire; come back yet again." This passage suggests a period of impending judgment, where night represents the uncertainty and fear associated with divine retribution.

4. Separation from God: Night can also denote a state of separation from God, where His presence and guidance are obscured. In Psalm 30:5, the psalmist declares, "For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning." Here, the night of weeping signifies a temporary period of divine displeasure or absence, contrasted with the joy and restoration that comes with the morning.

5. Hope and Anticipation: Despite its negative connotations, night can also be a time of hope and anticipation for the coming of God's deliverance. In Psalm 130:6, the psalmist expresses a deep longing for the Lord, saying, "My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning—more than watchmen wait for the morning." This imagery of watchmen waiting through the night underscores a hopeful expectation for God's intervention and the dawning of a new day.

In summary, the figurative use of "night" in Scripture serves as a powerful symbol of the human condition apart from God, characterized by ignorance, sin, and judgment. Yet, it also holds a promise of hope, as the night gives way to the light of God's presence and redemption.

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Isaiah 15:1
The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;
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Isaiah 21:11,12
The burden of Dumah. He calls to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
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John 9:4
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work.
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Romans 13:12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
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1 Thessalonians 5:5
You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
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Library

I Desire to Die.
... Syria even unto Rome I fight with beasts, [856] both by land and sea, both by night
and day ... 1 1 Corinthians 15:32, where the word is also used figuratively. ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the romans/chapter v i desire to die.htm

The Lord's Supper Instituted.
... And as they were eating, ^f the Lord Jesus in the night in which ... The term "drink,"
therefore, is used figuratively for that communion which Jesus has with his ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxx the lords supper instituted.htm

The Song of the Redeemed
... end of their hope and encircle the Throne, day without night, rejoicing, their ... The
expression of His blood' is often used figuratively for His death; perhaps ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlviii the song of.htm

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... is "jonek," which means, literally, "a suckling," being also sometimes used
figuratively of plants ... be found in the dwellings of Israel day and night through ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 7 the upbringing of.htm

Psalm XCI.
... But all these expressions, indeed, are figuratively used through likenesses. ...
"Thou shalt not be afraid for any terror by night.". ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xci.htm

Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
... 32 Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep [it being night];
but when they ... [Malachi used the name of Elijah figuratively to represent ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxx third withdrawal from herods 4.htm

The Second Coming of Christ.
... The language is that which was then used when one ... that our Lord in one narrative
speaks figuratively of a ... at cockcrowing, or in the morning [The night was then ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxiv the second coming of.htm

Psalm CX.
... This expression also, "before the morning star," is used both figuratively and
literally, and was thus fulfilled. For the Lord was born at night from the womb ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cx.htm

Was it for this He Sent Souls, that Some Should Infest the ...
... they should break open houses by night, tamper with ... least frozen; while others interpret
figuratively, "as hard ... Our Scottish translators have used their local ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/42 was it for this.htm

Light at Evening Time
... labor in vain that build it." You used both industry ... You thought the night of your
life had gathered with ... Bunyan tells it figuratively, but it is no figure: he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/light at evening time.htm