Topical Bible: Morning: The Jews: Generally Rose Early In

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel, rising early in the morning held significant importance. This practice is frequently mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures, reflecting both a practical and spiritual discipline among the Jewish people.

Biblical Instances of Rising Early

The act of rising early is often associated with obedience, diligence, and devotion. In Genesis 19:27, we see Abraham rising early to return to the place where he had stood before the LORD, demonstrating his commitment to seeking God's presence: "Early the next morning, Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD" .

Similarly, in Genesis 22:3, Abraham rises early to obey God's command to sacrifice Isaac, illustrating his promptness in fulfilling divine instructions: "So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac" .

The practice of rising early is also evident in the life of Moses. In Exodus 24:4, Moses rises early to build an altar at the foot of Mount Sinai, preparing for the covenant ceremony: "And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the base of the mountain" .

Cultural and Religious Significance

Rising early was not merely a matter of routine but was deeply embedded in the spiritual life of the Jewish people. It was a time for prayer, reflection, and preparation for the day's tasks. The Psalms often reflect this practice, as seen in Psalm 5:3: "In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation" .

The morning was also a time for offering sacrifices and seeking God's guidance. In Leviticus 6:12, the priests are instructed to keep the fire on the altar burning continuously, which required them to rise early to tend to it: "The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire" .

Prophetic and Historical Context

The prophets often used the imagery of morning to convey messages of hope and renewal. In Lamentations 3:22-23, the steadfast love and mercies of the LORD are described as new every morning: "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" .

Historically, the practice of rising early was also linked to agricultural and communal life. Early rising allowed for the completion of necessary tasks before the heat of the day, reflecting a rhythm of life that was in harmony with the natural world and the divine order.

Conclusion

The practice of rising early in the morning among the Jews is a testament to their dedication to God and their commitment to living a life of obedience and devotion. It serves as a reminder of the importance of beginning each day with a focus on spiritual priorities and the pursuit of righteousness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 28:18
And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on the top of it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 6:28
And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered on the altar that was built.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Our Lord's Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension
... The day with the Jews began at sunset"generally about six o ... us, they came very early
in the morning; for Mary ... Joseph, and the Apostles were Jews; and that the ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 8 on our lords.htm

Christian Worship,
... The discourses of the clergy were generally meant to ... at first, was added on to the
morning service, and ... concerning that matter than were the Jews." Among the ...
/.../chapter xviii christian worship.htm

Ancient Syriac Documents Relating to the Earliest Establishment of ...
... take an army and extirpate those Jews who crucified ... Abgar, therefore, commanded that
in the morning all the ... the Syriac word, meaning "life," is generally to be ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents relating to.htm

The First Day in Passion-Week - Palm-Sunday - the Royal Entry into ...
... Jerusalem as King: King of the Jews, as Heir ... Perhaps that very morning some had come
from Bethany ... specially among his own Galileans, and generally in Jerusalem ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the first day.htm

Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
... The next morning broke with the usual calm and beauty ... more particularly when the
number of Jews was small ... These were generally placed outside towns and in the ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 16 synagogues their origin.htm

The Purification of Mary
... The Blessed Virgin was generally alone in her room with the ... [February 2:^nd:] This
morning, while it ... gestures, but not such violent ones as the Jews of today. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the purification of mary.htm

Symbolic Ornaments of the Church
... called a "Calvary cross." The steps are generally three in ... of David, and the bright
and morning star." It ... Judaeorum, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/symbolic ornaments of the church.htm

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... might indeed, without exaggeration, say that the Jews "were from ... It is generally
thought that, on the occasion referred to ... from the close of the morning to the ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 7 the upbringing of.htm

References
... simply as "a feast of the Jews." Read AndLOL ... Ephraim, (John 11:54) is generally
identified with the ... the tomb over Saturday, and rose very early Sunday morning. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/references.htm

Introduction
... pulpit to the exposition of eschatology, and so generally is the ... which heralded the
birth of the King of the Jews. ... of the speedy return of the Morning Star had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/introduction.htm