The term "o'clock" is a modern expression used to denote time, specifically the hour, in a 12-hour or 24-hour format. In the context of the Bible, the concept of timekeeping as we understand it today was not present. The ancient Hebrews, along with other cultures of the biblical era, did not use clocks or the precise measurement of hours as we do now. Instead, they relied on natural indicators such as the position of the sun, the phases of the moon, and the changing of seasons to mark time.

Biblical Timekeeping

In biblical times, the day was typically divided into segments based on natural phenomena. The day began at sunrise and ended at sunset, with the night divided into watches. The concept of dividing the day into 12 hours is seen in the New Testament, influenced by Roman timekeeping practices. For example, Jesus mentions the "twelfth hour" in John 11:9: "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? If anyone walks during the day, he will not stumble, because he sees by the light of this world."

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, time is often referenced in terms of parts of the day, such as morning, noon, and evening. For instance, in Genesis 19:15, we read about the morning: "At dawn the angels urged Lot, saying, 'Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.'" Similarly, the evening is mentioned in Genesis 24:63: "And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening."

New Testament References

The New Testament provides more specific references to hours, reflecting the influence of Roman culture. In Matthew 20:1-16, the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, Jesus speaks of the third, sixth, ninth, and eleventh hours, illustrating the division of the day into 12 hours. Mark 15:25 notes the time of Jesus' crucifixion: "It was the third hour when they crucified Him."

Cultural Context

Understanding the biblical concept of time requires recognizing the cultural and historical context of the Scriptures. The ancient Israelites and early Christians lived in agrarian societies where time was measured by the sun and the agricultural calendar. The lack of mechanical clocks meant that time was more fluid and less precise than in modern times.

Symbolic Use of Time

Time in the Bible often carries symbolic meaning. The "hour" can represent a significant moment or event in God's plan. For example, in John 2:4, Jesus refers to His "hour" not yet having come, indicating the appointed time for His mission and sacrifice. Similarly, in Matthew 24:36, Jesus speaks of the unknown "day and hour" of His return, emphasizing the importance of readiness and vigilance.

Conclusion

While the term "o'clock" is not found in the Bible, understanding the biblical approach to time enhances our comprehension of the Scriptures. The Bible's references to time reflect a worldview centered on God's creation and divine timing, reminding believers of the importance of aligning their lives with God's eternal purposes.

Those Days it was Near Twelve O'Clock by the Great Dial of History ...
... CHAPTER 2 Those days it was near twelve o'clock by the great dial of history.? Those
days it was near twelve o'clock by the great dial of history. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 2 those days it.htm

In the Homes of the People
... She rose at seven, breakfasted at eight; an hour was devoted to prayer and study,
an hour to business, and by ten o'clock, she and her lieutenant left the ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/ix in the homes of.htm

Madness and Death.
... The devil is coming to take me to hell at 1 o'clock tonight." "My friend,
you are mistaken." I thought the man was sick. But he ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/madness and death.htm

Quaker City Excursion
... general conveyed to us a message from the Emperor 'that we were welcome, and he
would be pleased to receive us the next day at twelve o'clock.' Word also came ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/quaker city excursion.htm

Further Answers to Prayer
... About five o'clock that Saturday afternoon, when the doctor had finished writing
his prescriptions, his last circuit for the day being taken, he threw himself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter iv further answers to.htm

The Crucifixion and the Resurrection
... Three hours of fearful pain passed away. It was twelve o'clock. And now it became
quite dark and it was dark till three o'clock in the afternoon. ...
/.../anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter xii the crucifixion and.htm

Little Jennie's Sickness and Death
... thine.". She rested quite well until about three o'clock in the afternoon;
then suddenly she spoke and her voice sounded quite strong. ...
/.../little jennies sickness and death.htm

The Mission in 1894
... on behalf of the work in China are held at the principal home centres of the Mission,
as follows: Every Saturday afternoon from 4 to 6 o'clock, at Newington ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xx the mission in.htm

On Our Lord's Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension
... Him, and Pilate asked the people what he should do with Him, and they cried, "Crucify
Him." It was then Friday morning, and probably about ten or eleven o'clock ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 8 on our lords.htm

The Morning Breaketh
... to be the custom in Scotland, especially in Aberdeen, for the night watchman of
the city guard as he paced the streets to cry aloud, "Twelve o'clock and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the morning breaketh.htm

O'clock (16 Occurrences)
O'clock. Ocina, O'clock. Ocran . Multi-Version Concordance O'clock
(16 Occurrences). Matthew 20:3 About nine o'clock he went out ...
/o/o'clock.htm - 10k

Noon (30 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) No. See No. 2. (n.) The middle of the day; midday;
the time when the sun is in the meridian; twelve o'clock in the daytime. ...
/n/noon.htm - 16k

Afternoon (9 Occurrences)
... Afternoon (9 Occurrences). Matthew 27:45 Now from noon until three o'clock in
the afternoon there was darkness over the whole land; (WEY). ...
/a/afternoon.htm - 9k

Nine (55 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 20:3 About nine
o'clock he went out and saw others loitering in the market-place. (WEY). ...
/n/nine.htm - 22k

Morning (264 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Mark 15:25 It was nine o'clock in the
morning when they crucified Him. ... It was then about ten o'clock in the morning. ...
/m/morning.htm - 44k

Loitering (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Loitering (2 Occurrences). Matthew 20:3 About nine o'clock
he went out and saw others loitering in the market-place. (WEY). ...
/l/loitering.htm - 7k

Till (774 Occurrences)
... to time, but formerly, also, of place, degree, etc., and still so used in Scotland
and in parts of England and Ireland; as, I worked till four o'clock; I will ...
/t/till.htm - 36k

Ocina

/o/ocina.htm - 6k

Ocran (5 Occurrences)

/o/ocran.htm - 7k

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