Topical Encyclopedia
Daybreak, often referred to as dawn or the break of day, holds significant symbolic and literal importance in the Bible. It marks the transition from night to day, symbolizing new beginnings, hope, and the dispelling of darkness. In the biblical narrative, daybreak is frequently associated with divine intervention, revelation, and the fulfillment of God's promises.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 32:24-26 : "So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower Jacob, he struck the socket of Jacob’s hip and dislocated it as they wrestled. Then the man said, 'Let Me go, for it is daybreak.' But Jacob replied, 'I will not let You go unless You bless me.'" In this passage, daybreak signifies a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, marking his transformation and the receiving of a new identity as Israel. The struggle until daybreak underscores the perseverance required to receive God's blessing.
2.
Exodus 14:27 : "So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians were fleeing toward it, the LORD swept them into the sea." Here, daybreak is the moment of deliverance for the Israelites as God intervenes to save them from the Egyptians. It represents the triumph of God's power and the fulfillment of His promise to lead His people to safety.
3.
Psalm 30:5 : "For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning." This verse poetically captures the essence of daybreak as a time of renewal and joy. The transition from night to morning symbolizes the end of suffering and the beginning of divine favor and joy.
4.
Mark 16:2 : "Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they went to the tomb." The resurrection of Jesus Christ is discovered at daybreak, highlighting the dawn of a new era in salvation history. The timing underscores the victory over death and the hope of eternal life brought forth by Christ's resurrection.
Symbolism and Themes:·
New Beginnings: Daybreak is often seen as a metaphor for new beginnings and fresh starts. It is a time when God's mercies are renewed, as reflected in
Lamentations 3:22-23, which speaks of God's mercies being new every morning.
·
Hope and Deliverance: The transition from darkness to light at daybreak symbolizes hope and deliverance. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to bring light into the darkest situations.
·
Divine Revelation: Daybreak is a time when God often reveals His plans and purposes. It is a moment of clarity and understanding, as seen in the experiences of biblical figures who encounter God or receive His guidance at dawn.
·
Spiritual Vigilance: The anticipation of daybreak encourages spiritual vigilance and readiness. Believers are called to be watchful and prepared for the coming of the Lord, as emphasized in passages like
Matthew 25:1-13, where the wise virgins are ready for the bridegroom's arrival at midnight, leading into the dawn.
In summary, daybreak in the Bible is a powerful symbol of God's intervention, the fulfillment of His promises, and the hope of new beginnings. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God's light breaking into the darkness of the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The time of the first appearance of light in the morning.
Greek
3722. orthros --daybreak, dawn...daybreak, dawn. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: orthros Phonetic
Spelling: (or'-thros) Short Definition: early dawn, day-break Definition
...2250. hemera -- day
... word Definition day NASB Word Usage always* (1), court (1), daily* (10), day (207),
day's (1), day...another (1),daybreak (1), days (148), daytime (2), midday...
827. auge -- brightness, spec. daylight
... daylight, dawn. Word Origin a prim. word Definition brightness, spec. daylight
NASB Word Usagedaybreak (1). break of day. Of uncertain...
Strong's Hebrew
1242. boqer -- morn- ing... Word Origin from baqar Definition morn- ing NASB Word Usage dawn (1), dawn* (2),
day (1),
daybreak (1), every morning (5), morning (195), mornings (2), soon (1
...7837. shachar -- dawn
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition dawn NASB Word Usage charm away (1),
dawn (16), dawn* (1), dawning of the day (1),daybreak (2), morning (2)....
Library
February the Twenty-Fourth Moving TowardsDaybreak
... FEBRUARY The Twenty-fourth MOVING TOWARDSDAYBREAK. "He hath brought me
into darkness, but not into light." "Lamentations 3:1-9....
December the Twenty-SixthDaybreak in the Soul
... DECEMBER The Twenty-sixthDAYBREAK IN THE SOUL. ISAIAH ix.1-7.... I turn to the
Master, and He shines upon me, and it isdaybreak in the soul!...
Of the vigil Service which is Celebrated on the Evening Preceding...
... us, too, to observe this with the utmost care, that we may be content with the sleep
which is allowed us after the office of Vigils up todaybreak,"ie, till...
The Ecclesiastical Trial
... trial, Jesus had first to appear before Annas, then before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrim
during the night, and again before the same body afterdaybreak....
Abigail's Sensible Advice
... good. May God bring a similar judgment upon David and more too, if bydaybreak
I leave a single man of all those who belong to him."....
But Let There Be, as You Wish, Honour in Wine and in Incense...
... [4917] Atdaybreak on opening, and at night on closing the temple, the priests
of Isis sang hymns in praise of the goddess (cf. Jos....
CG Rossetti
... His answer sounds the same: 'Nodaybreak tops the utmost hill,. Nor pale our lamps
of flame.'.... We will not let Him go. Tilldaybreak smite our wearied sight....
"The Pharaoh Drew Nigh"
... eyes as his. Wait till dawn. My tent is empty and my bed is soft. Wait till
daybreak as my guest.". "Where is Har-hat?". "In his tent...
Acts XX
... (11) "And having gone up, and broken the loaf, and eaten it, he conversed yet a
long time, even tilldaybreak, and so he departed." Thus the whole night was...
My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year
... FEBRUARY The Twenty-fourth MOVING TOWARDSDAYBREAK. FEBRUARY The Twenty-fifth
THE FRESH EYE.... DECEMBER The Twenty-sixthDAYBREAK IN THE SOUL....
Thesaurus
Daybreak (19 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Daybreak (19 Occurrences). Matthew 14:25 But towards
daybreak He went to them, walking over the waves. (WEY).
...Shedeur (5 Occurrences)
... shed'-e-ur, she-de'-ur (shedhe'ur, "daybreak"; Codex Vaticanus Sediour, Ediour):
The father of Elizur, the chief of Reuben (Numbers 1:5; Numbers 2:10; Numbers 7...
Storm (62 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:33 And continually, up tilldaybreak, Paul kept urging all on board to take
some food.... Atdaybreak the king of Israel will be destroyed. (See RSV)....
Urging (10 Occurrences)
... him, (See NAS). Acts 27:33 And continually, up tilldaybreak, Paul kept urging
all on board to take some food. "This is the fourteenth...
Upstairs (8 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:11 Then he went upstairs again, broke bread, and took some food; and after
a long conversation which was continued tilldaybreak, at last he parted...
Jail (15 Occurrences)
... Acts 5:21 Having received that command they went into the Temple, just beforedaybreak,
and began to teach: So when the High Priest and his party came, and had...
Waves (43 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 14:25 But towards
daybreak He went to them, walking over the waves. (WEY)....
Fetch (45 Occurrences)
... Acts 5:21 Having received that command they went into the Temple, just beforedaybreak,
and began to teach: So when the High Priest and his party came, and had...
Flocked (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 4:42 Next morning, atdaybreak, He left the town and went away to a solitary
place; but the people flocked out to find Him, and, coming to the place where...
Fasted (20 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Acts 27:33 And continually, up till
daybreak, Paul kept urging all on board to take some food....
Resources
What is the meaning of Jacob wrestling with God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of the rooster crowing in regards to Peter denying Jesus three times? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Jacob in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDaybreak: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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