In biblical times, the concept of "watches" referred primarily to the division of the night into periods during which guards or sentinels would keep watch. This practice was essential for the protection of cities, camps, and other settlements, especially during times of war or unrest. The term "watch" is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing vigilance, spiritual alertness, and readiness for the coming of the Lord.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the night was typically divided into three watches. This division is evident in several passages, such as in the account of Gideon. Judges 7:19 states, "Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard." Here, the "middle watch" indicates the second of the three divisions of the night.

The concept of watches is also found in the Psalms, where the psalmist speaks of meditating on God's word during the night watches. Psalm 63:6 says, "When I remember You on my bed, I think of You through the watches of the night." This reflects a spiritual discipline of maintaining focus on God even during the quiet and solitude of the night.

New Testament Context

By the time of the New Testament, the Roman influence had introduced a four-watch system, dividing the night into four three-hour periods. This is reflected in the Gospels. For instance, in Mark 13:35 , Jesus warns, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or at dawn." These time markers correspond to the four Roman watches: evening (6-9 PM), midnight (9 PM-12 AM), the rooster crowing (12-3 AM), and dawn (3-6 AM).

The metaphorical use of "watch" in the New Testament emphasizes spiritual vigilance. Jesus frequently instructed His disciples to "watch and pray" to avoid falling into temptation (Matthew 26:41). The Apostle Paul also exhorted believers to be watchful, standing firm in their faith (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Symbolism and Spiritual Application

The concept of watches carries significant spiritual symbolism. It represents the need for constant vigilance in the Christian life, a theme echoed throughout Scripture. Believers are called to be alert and prepared for the return of Christ, as illustrated in the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). The wise virgins kept watch and were ready when the bridegroom arrived, while the foolish ones were unprepared.

In addition to readiness for Christ's return, the idea of watches also pertains to prayer and spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:18 encourages believers to "pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints." This call to vigilance in prayer underscores the importance of being spiritually awake and engaged.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of watches, both in its literal and metaphorical senses, serves as a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance, readiness, and spiritual alertness. Whether guarding a city or one's heart, the practice of keeping watch is integral to a life of faith and devotion.The periods into which the time between sunset and sunrise was divided. They are so called because watchmen relieved each other at each of these periods. There are frequent references in Scripture to the duties of watchmen who were appointed to give notice of the approach of an enemy (2 Samuel 18:24-27; 2 Kings 9:17-20; Isaiah 21:5-9). They were sometimes placed for this purpose on watch-towers (2 Kings 17:9; 18:8). Ministers or teachers are also spoken of under this title (Jeremiah 6:17; Ezek. 33:2-9; Hebrews 13:17).

The watches of the night were originally three in number, (1) "the beginning of the watches" (Lamentations 2:19); (2) "the middle watch" (Judges 7:19); and (3) "the morning watch" (Exodus 14:24; 1 Samuel 11:11), which extended from two o'clock to sunrise. But in the New Testament we read of four watches, a division probably introduced by the Romans (Matthew 14:25; Mark 6:48; Luke 12:38). (see DAY.)

(n. pl.) The leaves of Saracenia flava. See Trumpets.3787. ophthalmodoulia -- eye service
... Transliteration: ophthalmodoulia Phonetic Spelling: (of-thal-mod-oo-li'-ah) Short
Definition: service rendered only while the master watches Definition: eye ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3787.htm - 6k6424. palas -- to weigh, make level
... Origin denominative verb from peles Definition to weigh, make level NASB Word Usage
level (1), leveled (1), make (1), ponder (1), watch (1), watches (1), weigh ...
/hebrew/6424.htm - 6k

8104. shamar -- to keep, watch, preserve
... 1), spare (1), spies (1), take care (1), take heed (5), take note (1), take...heed
(1), waiting (1), waits (1), watch (11), watched (1), watches (3), watching ...
/hebrew/8104.htm - 7k

5341. natsar -- to watch, guard, keep
... 10), observed (1), observes (1), preserve (10), preserves (1), reserve (1), secret
places (1), tends (1), watch (4), watcher (1), watches (1), watchman (1 ...
/hebrew/5341.htm - 6k

821. ashmoreth -- a watch
... Short Definition: watch. Word Origin from shamar Definition a watch NASB
Word Usage watch (4), watches (3). watch. Or bashmuwrah {ash ...
/hebrew/821.htm - 6k

The Wily Judas Watches Near
... The wily Judas watches near. tr., John Brownlie 8,6,8,6,8,8. semeron gregorei ho
Ioudas. ... III. ho autos. I. The wily Judas watches near. The Master's path to-day, ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the greek church/the wily judas watches near.htm

LM Breviary. Night-Watches.
... SUPPLEMENT. 559. LM Breviary. Night-Watches. 1 Throughout the hours of
darkness dim, Still let us watch and raise the hymn; And ...
/.../559 l m breviary night-watches.htm

God who Always Watches Over his People
... PSALMS GOD WHO ALWAYS WATCHES OVER HIS PEOPLE. I will lift up my eyes to
the hills; from whence comes my help? My help comes from ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/god who always watches over.htm

That all Things Exist that they May Perish, and that we are not ...
... Book IV. Chapter X."That All Things Exist that They May Perish, and that
We are Not Safe Unless God Watches Over Us. 15. "Turn ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter x that all things exist.htm

On God and his Perfections
... A. God sees us and watches over us. "Watches" to protect, to reward or punish us.
He watches continually; He not only watches, but keeps us alive. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 2 on god and.htm

November 16. "Watch Therefore, for Ye Know Neither the Day" (Matt. ...
... Life, like the old Jewish night, may be divided into three watches, youth,
maturity, old age. The summons to meet God may come to ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /november 16 watch therefore for.htm

Epistle Xlix. To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch .
... He also watches wisely over the sheep-fold of which he has taken charge, lest either
perverse men tear the sheep of God by speaking froward things, or ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xlix to anastasius bishop.htm

Psalm LXXVII.
... "All mine enemies have anticipated watches" (ver.4). All mine enemies have kept ... Where
do they not lay traps? Have not mine enemies anticipated all watches? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxvii.htm

Letter ix. Meditation.
... "I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night-watches." "Mine
eyes prevent the night-watches, that I might meditate in thy word." But, lest ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter ix meditation.htm

He Careth for You
... We are the work of his hands, and as such he is interested in our prosperity. He
watches over the development of our lives; he notes every step of progress. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk fifty-two he careth for.htm

Watches (23 Occurrences)
... The watches of the night were originally three in number, (1) "the beginning of
the watches" (Lamentations 2:19); (2) "the middle watch" (Judges 7:19); and (3 ...
/w/watches.htm - 14k

Night-watches (4 Occurrences)
Night-watches. Night-watch, Night-watches. Nile . Multi-Version
Concordance Night-watches (4 Occurrences). Luke 2:8 ...
/n/night-watches.htm - 7k

Watch (203 Occurrences)
... guarding by night. 2. (n.) One who watches, or those who watch; a watchman,
or a body of watchmen; a sentry; a guard. 3. (n.) The ...
/w/watch.htm - 40k

Night (3322 Occurrences)
... The threefold division of the day into watches continued into post-exilic Roman
times; but the Roman method of four divisions was also known (Mark 13:35 ...
/n/night.htm - 15k

Meditate (37 Occurrences)
... YLT). Psalms 63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee
in the night watches. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/m/meditate.htm - 16k

Watchers (16 Occurrences)

/w/watchers.htm - 11k

Day (17670 Occurrences)
... at our nine o'clock, and "the cool of the day" just before sunset (Genesis 3:8).
Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches, (1) from ...
/d/day.htm - 70k

Quaternion
... Acts 12:4). To four such companies Peter had been handed over, who would take their
turn of acting as guard over the prisoner, each of the four watches of the ...
/q/quaternion.htm - 8k

Night-watch
Night-watch. Nightwatch, Night-watch. Night-watches . Int. ... See WATCH; TIME.
Nightwatch, Night-watch. Night-watches . Reference Bible.
/n/night-watch.htm - 6k

Unni (3 Occurrences)
... NIV). Nehemiah 12:9 Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against
them in the watches. (KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/u/unni.htm - 8k

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