Night: Commenced at Sunset
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Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of a day was markedly different from the modern understanding. According to the Hebrew reckoning, a day began at sunset and ended at the following sunset. This understanding is rooted in the creation narrative found in the Book of Genesis, where it is repeatedly stated, "And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day" (Genesis 1:5). This pattern establishes the biblical precedent that the evening, or night, commences at sunset.

The commencement of night at sunset is further illustrated in the observance of the Sabbath. In Leviticus 23:32, the instruction for the Day of Atonement is given: "It shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you shall humble yourselves. On the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall keep your Sabbath" . This directive underscores the understanding that the day begins in the evening, marking the start of the Sabbath at sunset.

The practice of beginning the day at sunset is also evident in the New Testament. In Mark 1:32, it is recorded, "That evening, after sunset, people brought to Him all who were sick and demon-possessed" . The timing of these events, occurring after sunset, indicates the start of a new day, aligning with the Jewish custom of reckoning time.

The significance of night commencing at sunset is also seen in the Passover observance. In Exodus 12:18, the Israelites are instructed, "In the first month, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day, you are to eat unleavened bread" . This commandment highlights the importance of sunset as the marker for the beginning and end of the day during this sacred observance.

Throughout the Bible, the transition from day to night at sunset is a recurring theme that reflects the rhythm of life in ancient Israel. This understanding of time is not only a cultural practice but also a theological one, as it aligns with the divine order established in creation. The biblical day, commencing at sunset, serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of time and the continuity of God's creation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Genesis 28:11
And he lighted on a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Voyage to China
... through the gates, and the separation really commenced, I shall ... had no rest until
on that night, after all ... a breeze would spring up soon after sunset, and last ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter viii voyage to china.htm

The Deepest Need of the Church Today is not for any Material or ...
... of God, has put on record that he commenced a series ... That night the young man prayed
in the privacy of ... Usually a breeze would spring up after sunset and last ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter xi the deepest need.htm

On the Life and Poetic Genius of Edward Young.
... countenance is grave, settled, open, and serene, as the radiance of an autumn sunset. ...
The "Night Thoughts" were immediately commenced, and published ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/on the life and poetic.htm

The Transfiguration.
... air, it would be impossible to spend the night on the ... summer air, as Jesus an the
three commenced their ascent ... in all the wondrous glory of a sunset: first rose ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the transfiguration.htm

Interruption of the visions of the Passion by the Appearance of St ...
... had seen in the vision of the previous night, and which ... the celebration of a joyful
feast commenced, both body ... 8th of March 1823, after sunset, Sister Emmerich ...
/.../chapter xxiv interruption of the.htm

Introduction
... to go home!" Just then the rich sunset glow, pouring ... a sudden effort from his pillow,
he commenced a regular ... thrill through every heart: "Good night!" It was ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/introduction.htm

1861-1869. Prayer of Hon. And Rev. Baptist Noel --Residence in ...
... A lovely sunset was shedding its radiance over the ... streets surrounding it throughout
the night;"yells of ... heavy rumble of market-waggons commenced, and then ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter i 1861-1869 prayer of.htm

Kumaon.
... Tea-planting was commenced at the instance of Government ... make their presence especially
felt at night, the people ... afraid to move about after sunset except when ...
/.../kennedy/life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xx kumaon.htm

Outward Bound
... which repeats the colours of the sunset, but this ... the sun had already fallen, the
purple night set in ... shore a chorus of frogs had commenced chattering, quacking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter i outward bound.htm

The Life of S. Hilarion.
... capable of travelling during fasting-time, that is, after sunset. ... It was now night
when all at once they ... that a Christian emperor [4029] had commenced his reign ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the life of s hilarion.htm

Resources
Why do some churches have a Sunday night/evening service? | GotQuestions.org

What is a “dark night of the soul”? | GotQuestions.org

Why do some churches have a Wednesday night service? | GotQuestions.org

Night: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Night

Night Hawk

Night Hawk: Forbidden As Food

Night used Figuratively

Night: Belongs to God

Night: Caused by God

Night: Commenced at Sunset

Night: Continued Until Sunrise

Night: Death

Night: Designed for Rest

Night: Divided Into Four Watches by the Romans

Night: Divided Into Hours

Night: Divided Into Watches

Night: Eastern Fishermen Continued Their Employment During

Night: Eastern Shepherds Watched Over Their Flocks During

Night: Favourable to the Purposes of the Wicked

Night: Frequently: Accompanied by Heavy Dew

Night: Frequently: Cold and Frosty

Night: Frequently: Exceeding Dark

Night: General Scriptures Concerning

Night: God Frequently: Executed his Judgments In

Night: God Frequently: Revealed his Will In

Night: God Frequently: Visited his People In

Night: Jesus Prays all Night

Night: Meditations In

Night: No Night in Heaven

Night: Originally Divided Into Three Watches

Night: Regular Succession of Established by Covenant

Night: Regular Succession of Ordained for the Glory of God

Night: Seasons of Severe Calamities

Night: Seasons of Spiritual Desertion

Night: Spiritual Darkness

Night: The Darkness First Called

Night: The Heavenly Bodies Designed to Separate Day From

Night: The Jews in Affliction Spent, in Prayer

Night: The Jews in Affliction Spent, in Sorrow and Humiliation

Night: The Jews: Forbidden to Allow Malefactors to Hang During

Night: The Jews: Forbidden to Keep the Wages of Servants During

Night: The Jews: Often Kept Lamps Burning During

Night: The Moon and Stars Designed to Rule and Give Light By

Night: Unsuitable for Labour

Night: Unsuitable for Travelling

Night: Wearisome to the Afflicted

Night: Wild Beasts Go Forth in Search of Prey During

Night: Worship In

Related Terms

Night-lodge (1 Occurrence)

Night-bird (1 Occurrence)

Night-time (1 Occurrence)

Night-monster

To-night (15 Occurrences)

Night (3322 Occurrences)

Night-watches (4 Occurrences)

Night-hawk (2 Occurrences)

Yesterday-night (1 Occurrence)

Night-watch

Night-visions (2 Occurrences)

Night-vision (2 Occurrences)

Watch-night (1 Occurrence)

Night-spirit (1 Occurrence)

Cock (12 Occurrences)

Yesternight (4 Occurrences)

Spend (54 Occurrences)

Vigil (2 Occurrences)

Bittern (4 Occurrences)

Surrounded (51 Occurrences)

Compassed (52 Occurrences)

Cock's (7 Occurrences)

Stopping (22 Occurrences)

Black (52 Occurrences)

Concubine (21 Occurrences)

Spent (76 Occurrences)

Sleeping (69 Occurrences)

Square (94 Occurrences)

Shine (62 Occurrences)

Quaternion

Blackness (13 Occurrences)

Ceasing (15 Occurrences)

Cock-crowing (3 Occurrences)

Armed (147 Occurrences)

Belshazzar (8 Occurrences)

Servant's (29 Occurrences)

Stretcheth (33 Occurrences)

Supplications (32 Occurrences)

Satyr

Asleep (50 Occurrences)

Seasons (43 Occurrences)

Yesterday (13 Occurrences)

Stolen (28 Occurrences)

Visions (43 Occurrences)

Cold (25 Occurrences)

Candle (16 Occurrences)

Borne (172 Occurrences)

Sleep (136 Occurrences)

Smite (230 Occurrences)

Steal (29 Occurrences)

Shining (115 Occurrences)

Starting (34 Occurrences)

Abode (112 Occurrences)

Abide (162 Occurrences)

Stumbled (47 Occurrences)

Soldiers (83 Occurrences)

Stayed (169 Occurrences)

Couch (55 Occurrences)

Apple (8 Occurrences)

Silence (80 Occurrences)

Astronomy

Vision (106 Occurrences)

Yeast (48 Occurrences)

Silas (22 Occurrences)

Younger (39 Occurrences)

Perceived (57 Occurrences)

Viewed (9 Occurrences)

Viewing (6 Occurrences)

Valley-gate (3 Occurrences)

Valour (66 Occurrences)

Keepers (78 Occurrences)

Preparations (16 Occurrences)

Betwixt (16 Occurrences)

Baker (11 Occurrences)

Blackest (5 Occurrences)

Beseeching (11 Occurrences)

Cockcrowing (1 Occurrence)

Chios (1 Occurrence)

Night: Caused by God
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