Topical Bible: The Evening: Called: Eventide

◄ The Evening: Called: Eventide ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Usage:
The term "eventide" refers to the evening or the latter part of the day, marking the transition from daylight to night. In biblical times, the evening held significant cultural and religious importance, often associated with rest, reflection, and worship. The Hebrew word for evening is "ereb," and it is frequently mentioned in the context of daily life and religious observance.

Biblical References:

1. Creation and Order:
The concept of evening is introduced in the creation narrative. Genesis 1:5 states, "God called the light 'day,' and the darkness He called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." This passage establishes the evening as an integral part of the daily cycle ordained by God.

2. Sacrificial System:
The evening was a designated time for certain religious practices, including the offering of sacrifices. Exodus 29:39 instructs, "Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight." This evening sacrifice, also known as the "evening oblation," was a vital component of the daily worship in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple.

3. Evening Prayers:
Evening was a time for prayer and reflection. Psalm 141:2 expresses this sentiment: "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering." The psalmist likens his prayers to the evening sacrifice, highlighting the spiritual significance of this time of day.

4. Jesus and the Evening:
The Gospels record several instances where Jesus engaged with His disciples and the crowds during the evening. In Mark 1:32 , it is noted, "That evening, after sunset, people brought to Him all who were sick and demon-possessed." The evening provided an opportunity for healing and teaching, as people gathered after the day's work.

5. Symbolism and Prophecy:
Evening can also symbolize the end of an era or the approach of judgment. In Zechariah 14:7 , a prophetic vision states, "It will be a unique day—known only to the LORD—with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light." This passage suggests a future time when God's presence will transcend the natural order.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

In ancient Israel, the evening was a time for families to gather, share meals, and recount the events of the day. It was also a time for communal worship and reflection on God's provision and protection. The transition from day to night served as a reminder of God's sovereignty over creation and His faithfulness in sustaining His people.

The evening, or eventide, continues to hold spiritual significance for many believers today. It is a time for personal devotion, prayer, and meditation on Scripture, offering an opportunity to seek God's guidance and express gratitude for His blessings.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 8:29
And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcass down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remains to this day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 4:3
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold to the next day: for it was now eventide.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether Christ Suffered at a Suitable Time?
... lamb was slain "on the fourteenth day at eventide," as is ... festivity, the solemnity
began from the evening of the ... that the Pasch there is not called the Paschal ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ suffered at a.htm

Other Predictions of the Cross of Christ.
... indeed the Lord remained upon the tree almost until evening, and they buried Him
at eventide; then on ... no one in your nation who has been called King or ...
/.../chapter xcvii other predictions of the.htm

Meditation.
... the heart for that deeper communion with God called prayer ... of Abraham, went into
the field at eventide to meditate ... The evening is a time well suited to draw the ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/meditation.htm

Everybody's Sermon
... As for his daughter, she was to be called Lo-ruhamah ... When the shadows of the evening
were stretched out, and ... thee, "O man, take heed of thine eventide, for the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/everybodys sermon.htm

The Best Introduction to this Production Will be the Following ...
... And then, in the depth of evening, Dionysus appeared in the ... all the gods of the Persians
have called thee blessed ... And at eventide there appeared to us one of a ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/the best introduction to this.htm

Psalm LXV.
... conquer, that city shall conquer which is called the vision ... the lifting up of My
hands an evening sacrifice." [2554 ... As ye know, the Lord about eventide hung on ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxv.htm

Go Back? Never!
... I shall this evening first speak to you upon ... We may bear the discomforts of the eventide
and the night ... says, "Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/go back never.htm

Of the Origin of the Word "With," and what Force it Has. Also ...
... it is the beginning of days, it is not called by Moses ... [1281] For he says "There
was evening, and there ... time, the day which knows no waning or eventide, and no ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xxvii of the origin.htm

Enumeration of the Illustrious Men in the Church who in their ...
... not to receive the gift of the light at eventide in silence ... [1325] Psalm 141.was
called ho epiluchnios ... In the Vespers of the Eastern Church an evening hymn is ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xxix enumeration of the.htm

Index of First Lines.
... Abide with me, fast falls the eventide, 56 A charge to ... Called to the feast by the
King are we, 230 ... name we raise, 57 Savior, breathe an evening blessing, 54 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/index of first lines.htm