Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, night often symbolizes a time of trial, sorrow, and affliction, particularly for the Jewish people. Throughout Scripture, the night is depicted as a period when the Israelites faced various challenges and were called to reflect on their relationship with God.Exodus and the Passover Night One of the most significant nights in Jewish history is the Passover night, as described in the Book of Exodus. This night marked the final plague in Egypt, where the firstborn of the Egyptians were struck down, leading to the liberation of the Israelites from slavery. Exodus 12:29 states, "Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock." This night of deliverance was also a night of sorrow for the Egyptians, highlighting the dual nature of night as both a time of divine intervention and human suffering. The Babylonian Exile The period of the Babylonian Exile was another time when the Jews experienced night as a metaphor for affliction and sorrow. Psalm 137:1 poignantly captures the lament of the exiles: "By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion." The night of exile was marked by a deep sense of loss and longing for their homeland, as well as a period of reflection and repentance. Lamentations and Mourning The Book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, is a profound expression of sorrow and mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem. Lamentations 2:19 urges the people to cry out in the night: "Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches. Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger at the head of every street." Here, night is a time for earnest prayer and supplication, a period when the people are called to seek God's mercy and deliverance. The Night of Jesus' Betrayal In the New Testament, the night of Jesus' betrayal is a pivotal moment of sorrow and humiliation for His followers. During the Last Supper, Jesus predicts His betrayal, and later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He experiences deep anguish. Matthew 26:34 records Jesus' words to Peter: "Truly I tell you, this very night before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." This night signifies a time of testing and failure for the disciples, yet it also sets the stage for the ultimate redemption through Christ's sacrifice. Symbolism of Night in Prophetic Literature Prophetic literature often uses night as a symbol of impending judgment and the need for repentance. Isaiah 21:11-12 presents a watchman’s cry: "Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night? The watchman replies, 'Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again.'" This passage underscores the tension between impending doom and the hope of a new dawn, urging the people to remain vigilant and turn back to God. Throughout the Bible, night serves as a powerful metaphor for the times of affliction, sorrow, and humiliation experienced by the Jewish people. It is a period that calls for introspection, repentance, and a renewed reliance on God's promises and faithfulness. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 6:6I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 30:5 Joel 1:13 Library The Builders on the Wall Confession and Penance. Of a Private Fast. Jesus in the Garden of Olives. Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Hymns for Christian Devotion An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ... Introductory Notice Respecting Tauler's Life and Times A Canticle of Love The Saints' Privilege and Profit; Resources What is the witching hour, and is it in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened in the Garden of Gethsemane? | GotQuestions.org How could there be light on the first day of Creation if the sun was not created until the fourth day? | GotQuestions.org Night: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Night: Continued Until Sunrise Night: Divided Into Four Watches by the Romans 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: 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: 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 Travelling Night: Wearisome to the Afflicted Night: Wild Beasts Go Forth in Search of Prey During Related Terms Yesterday-night (1 Occurrence) |
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