Topical Bible: Murder: Often Committed by Night

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In the biblical narrative, the act of murder is frequently associated with the cover of darkness, symbolizing the evil and deceit that often accompany such acts. The Bible presents night as a time when wicked deeds are carried out, hidden from the eyes of men but not from God.

Biblical Instances and Symbolism

1. Judas Iscariot's Betrayal: One of the most infamous acts of betrayal leading to murder in the Bible is that of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus Christ. This act is closely associated with night. In John 13:30 , after receiving the morsel from Jesus, Judas "went out immediately. And it was night." The mention of night underscores the darkness of the deed and the spiritual blindness of Judas.

2. The Cover of Darkness: The Bible often uses night as a metaphor for evil and sin. In Job 24:14 , it is written, "When daylight is gone, the murderer rises to kill the poor and needy; in the night he is like a thief." This verse highlights the association of murder with night, suggesting that those who commit such acts prefer the concealment that darkness provides.

3. Cain and Abel: While the specific time of day is not mentioned in the account of Cain and Abel, the narrative in Genesis 4:8 reflects the hidden nature of Cain's intentions. "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him." The field, away from others, serves as a metaphorical night, a place of isolation where sin can be carried out away from the community.

4. Symbolic Teachings: The New Testament continues to draw on the symbolism of night and darkness in relation to sin. In 1 Thessalonians 5:7 , Paul writes, "For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night." This passage connects the acts of moral and spiritual darkness with the literal darkness of night, reinforcing the idea that evil deeds are often committed under the cover of darkness.

5. Moral and Spiritual Implications: The association of murder with night in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the moral and spiritual darkness that accompanies sin. 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."

Theological Reflections

The recurring theme of murder being committed by night in the Bible reflects a deeper theological truth about the nature of sin and the human condition. Darkness, both literal and metaphorical, provides a veil for sinful actions, yet Scripture consistently affirms that nothing is hidden from God. Hebrews 4:13 states, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

The biblical portrayal of night as a time for murder and other sins serves as a warning and a call to vigilance. Believers are encouraged to live as "children of light" (Ephesians 5:8), rejecting the deeds of darkness and embracing the righteousness that comes from walking in the light of Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 6:10
Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay you; yes, in the night will they come to slay you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 24:14
The murderer rising with the light kills the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Terror by Night
... the lower classes in poverty, and often despair. ... in the darkness robbery, house-breaking,
murder, were so ... the madness of cruelty; and they committed, again and ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xvi terror by night.htm

The Heathen Perverted Judgment in the Trial of Christians
... above this, you inquire into accessory circumstances"how often had he committed
murder; with what ... and how many incests we may have committed under cover ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter ii name heathen perverted.htm

Letter cclx. To Optimus the Bishop.
... "How often," it is ... fratricide, a still greater iniquity: the fifth that he committed
the first ... his sore, but makes another one in adding the lie to the murder. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cclx to optimus the.htm

Thursday Night - Before Annas and Caiaphas - Peter and Jesus.
... that late hour, and the tramp of the Roman guard must have been too often heard
to ... He designates it a private murder (Privat-Mord), committed by burning ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiii thursday night -.htm

India's Ills and England's Sorrows
... have I regarded all battles as but murder on a ... There are sins every morning committed,
and sins each ... How often have I been entertained most courteously and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/indias ills and englands sorrows.htm

He Perished under Divine Wrath. visions of the Emperor's Death ...
... this I know nothing accurately concerning the men who committed this murder besides
what ... this hypothesis as absolutely false; for God often suffers still ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter ii he perished under divine.htm

"Love that Passeth Knowledge. "
... There is no portion of Scripture I read so often as John 14 ... Not to tarry for a night,
but to come and abide in our ... He committed murder, and was put on his trial ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter i love that passeth.htm

The Sacrifice of Christ.
... The reply that is often given to this query is ... In the riot of a tumultuous assembly
by night, a house may be burnt, or a murder committed; in the eye of ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/vii the sacrifice of christ.htm

David's Sin in the Matter of Uriah.
... to the habit of reflection; that he often enters into ... and still more enormous sins,
which he had committed to hide ... borne the mandate for his own murder; to his ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon x davids sin in.htm

On Sin and Its Kinds
... and accidentally killed a man: you would not have the sin of murder, because you ...
With regard to eating, it is committed by eating too often; by being ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 6 on sin and.htm