Sunset, the time when the sun dips below the horizon, holds significant meaning in the Bible, both literally and symbolically. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the day was often considered to begin at sunset, marking the transition from one day to the next. This understanding is rooted in the creation account in Genesis, where it is stated, "And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day" (Genesis 1:5). This pattern of evening preceding morning is a recurring theme in the biblical narrative.

Biblical Observances and Sunset

Sunset plays a crucial role in the observance of the Sabbath and other Jewish festivals. According to Levitical law, the Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. Leviticus 23:32 states, "From evening to evening, you shall keep your Sabbath" . This command underscores the importance of sunset as a marker for sacred time, setting apart the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship.

Similarly, the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is observed from sunset to sunset, emphasizing the solemnity and sacredness of this holy day. The timing of these observances highlights the biblical principle of rest and reflection beginning with the cessation of daily labor at sunset.

Symbolism of Sunset

Sunset in the Bible often symbolizes the end of a period or the completion of a task. It can represent the close of a day, a life, or an era. In Psalm 104:19, the psalmist notes, "He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set" , illustrating the divine order and rhythm established by God in creation.

The imagery of sunset is also used metaphorically to describe the brevity and transience of life. In Ecclesiastes 1:5, it is written, "The sun rises and the sun sets; it hurries back to where it rises" , conveying the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of its end. This serves as a reminder of human mortality and the importance of living a life aligned with God's will.

Sunset in the New Testament

In the New Testament, sunset marks significant moments in the life and ministry of Jesus. For instance, in Mark 1:32, it is recorded, "That evening, after sunset, people brought to Jesus all who were sick and demon-possessed" . This passage highlights the compassion and healing power of Jesus, as people sought Him out at the end of the day, bringing their burdens and ailments to Him.

Furthermore, the timing of events around sunset underscores the fulfillment of prophecy and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The crucifixion of Jesus took place on the day of Preparation, and His body was laid in the tomb before sunset, in accordance with Jewish burial customs (Mark 15:42-46).

Practical Implications

For believers, sunset can serve as a daily reminder of God's faithfulness and the opportunity for reflection and renewal. As the day comes to a close, it is a time to pause, give thanks, and seek God's guidance for the coming day. The setting sun can inspire believers to trust in God's provision and to rest in His promises, knowing that His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

In summary, sunset in the Bible is rich with meaning, marking the transition of time, the observance of sacred days, and the unfolding of God's divine plan. It serves as a powerful symbol of completion, reflection, and hope in the life of faith.(n.) Alt. of Sunsetting.2250. hemera -- day
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hemera Phonetic Spelling: (hay-mer'-ah)
Short Definition: a day Definition: a day, the period from sunrise to sunset ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2250.htm - 7k

3317. mesonuktion -- at midnight
... mesonuktion Phonetic Spelling: (mes-on-ook'-tee-on) Short Definition: midnight
Definition: midnight, the middle of the period between sunset and sunrise. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3317.htm - 6k

3600. odunao -- to cause or suffer pain
... personal expressed by great (). This root () literally means "go " (as the
sun in a sunset) and refers to sorrow. Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3600.htm - 7k

8122. shemash -- sun
... 8121, 8122. shemash. 8123 . sun. Transliteration: shemash Phonetic Spelling:
(sheh'-mesh) Short Definition: sunset. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/8122.htm - 6k

3117. yom -- day
... From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal
(from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a ...
/hebrew/3117.htm - 7k

3996. mabo -- entrance, a coming in, entering
... entrance, a coming in, entering NASB Word Usage come (1), enter (1), entrance (13),
entry (1), place of its setting (1), setting (5), sunset* (1), west* (1). ...
/hebrew/3996.htm - 6k

4606. meal -- a going in
... 4605, 4606. meal. 4607 . a going in. Transliteration: meal Phonetic Spelling:
(may-awl') Short Definition: sunset. Word Origin (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/4606.htm - 6k

6153. ereb -- evening
... Origin from an unused word Definition evening NASB Word Usage evening (114), evening*
(1), evenings (2), every evening (1), night (2), sunset (1), twilight (11 ...
/hebrew/6153.htm - 6k

8121. shemesh -- sun
... sun NASB Word Usage battlements (1), daylight (1), daylight* (1), east side* (2),
east* (7), sun (109), sun's (1), sundown* (1), sunrise* (3), sunset* (6), west ...
/hebrew/8121.htm - 6k

935. bo -- to come in, come, go in, go
... 1), return (2), return* (1), returned (1), returned* (1), runs (1), set (6), sets
(4), shedding (1), spring (1), stand (2), sundown* (1), sunset* (5), support ...
/hebrew/935.htm - 8k

Reflections at Sunset.
... MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS. 944. " Reflections at Sunset. 944. 7s. &
6s. M. Sacred Songs. Reflections at Sunset. 1 The mellow ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/944 reflections at sunset.htm

I when Fails the Light at Sunset Grey,
... EVENING I When fails the light at sunset grey,. 8,8,8,8 ... Springs from my heart
in fervent prayer,. When fails the light at sunset grey,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/i when fails the light.htm

Sunset and Evening Star
... III. SACRAMENTS AND RITES Burial of the Dead 412. Sunset and evening star. PM ... Afred
Tennyson, 1889. Sunset and evening star,. And one clear call for me! ...
/.../burial of the dead 412.htm

LM *Wordsworth. Sunset Hymn.
... VIII. VARIOUS OCCASIONS. 369. LM *Wordsworth. Sunset Hymn. 1 Up to the throne
of God is borne The voice of praise at early morn, And ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/369 l m wordsworth sunset.htm

Responsiveness to Christ.
... Shepherd.". THE COW AND THE SUNSET. Sanctification ... Him. A cow and the man who owns
the cow may stand side by side and look at the same sunset. The ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter vii responsiveness to christ.htm

Jesus Predicts, the Rulers Plot For, and Judas Bargains for his ...
... (Mount of Olives, Bethany, and Jerusalem. Tuesday After Sunset, ... The passover was
eaten Thursday night after sunset, which the Jews reckoned as Friday. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxvi jesus predicts the rulers.htm

"A Kind of Waterspout"
... It was seen near Mousehole an hour before sunset. About sunset it began traveling
over the land, tearing up all the furze and shrubs it met. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/a kind of waterspout.htm

Preparation for Passover. Disciples Contend for Precedence.
... (Bethany to Jerusalem. Thursday Afternoon and, After Sunset, Beginning of Friday.)
^A Matthew 26:17-20; ^B Mark 14:12-17; ^C Luke 22:7-18, 24-30. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxvii preparation for passover disciples.htm

Two Sunsets
... The same afternoon that the message so dreadful came to me grandmother visited
a neighbor who was drawing near to his life's sunset. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk forty-nine two sunsets.htm

At Masaarah
... Late, one sunset, while there yet was daylight, she left the camp merely that she
might wander down the valley to the same spot where, at the same hour, she ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xviii at masaarah.htm

Sunset (18 Occurrences)
...Sunset (18 Occurrences). ... (WEY). Mark 1:32 When it was evening, after sunset people
came bringing Him all who were sick and the demoniacs; (WEY NIV). ...
/s/sunset.htm - 11k

Evening (163 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The period following sunset with which the Jewish
day began (Genesis 1:5; Mark 13:35). The Hebrews reckoned ...
/e/evening.htm - 41k

Night (3322 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That part of the natural day when the sun is beneath the horizon, or the
time from sunset to sunrise; esp., the time between dusk and dawn, when there ...
/n/night.htm - 15k

Eventide (10 Occurrences)
... even," "evening," 'erebh; opsia, opse; see Thayer under the word): The words are
used in slightly different meanings: (1) The time of sunset, the beginning of ...
/e/eventide.htm - 11k

Even (10971 Occurrences)
... even," "evening," 'erebh; opsia, opse; see Thayer under the word): The words are
used in slightly different meanings: (1) The time of sunset, the beginning of ...
/e/even.htm - 9k

Fever (13 Occurrences)
... in late summer and autumn, when the mosquitoes are most numerous, and when there
is a liability to chill, owing to the sudden drop of temperature at sunset. ...
/f/fever.htm - 17k

Towards (416 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 27:57 Towards sunset there came a wealthy inhabitant of Arimathaea,
named Joseph, who himself also had become a disciple of Jesus. (WEY). ...
/t/towards.htm - 35k

Twilight (25 Occurrences)
... lit (nesheph): The twilight of Palestine is of short duration, owing to the low
latitude, there being scarcely more than an hour between sunset and complete ...
/t/twilight.htm - 15k

Darkness (177 Occurrences)
... There the day does not slowly fade away into the night after a period of twilight,
but before sunset there is the brightness of day, and when the sun has ...
/d/darkness.htm - 41k

Dinner (23 Occurrences)
... The full meal was not to be taken until a little before or after sunset, when the
laborers had come in from their work (Luke 17:7; compare the "supper time" of ...
/d/dinner.htm - 15k

Why did the time period of being unclean end in the evening? | GotQuestions.org

Why is a day measured from evening to morning in Genesis 1? | GotQuestions.org

What does shabbat mean? | GotQuestions.org

Sunset: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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