Topical Encyclopedia
Daytime, as referenced in the Bible, is the period of light between sunrise and sunset, contrasting with the darkness of night. It is a time often associated with activity, work, and divine revelation. The concept of daytime is integral to the biblical understanding of time and the natural order established by God.
Creation and Order:The concept of daytime is introduced in the creation narrative. In
Genesis 1:3-5 , God creates light and separates it from darkness, establishing the cycle of day and night: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day,' and the darkness He called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." This passage underscores the divine order and rhythm of life, with daytime being a fundamental part of creation.
Symbolism and Metaphor:Daytime in the Bible often symbolizes knowledge, truth, and righteousness. In
John 9:4 , Jesus speaks of the urgency of doing God's work during the day: "While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work." Here, daytime represents the opportunity to fulfill God's will, contrasting with the limitations and uncertainties of night.
Divine Revelation and Guidance:Daytime is frequently associated with divine revelation and guidance. In
Exodus 13:21 , God leads the Israelites through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day: "And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night." This guidance during the day signifies God's constant presence and direction.
Moral and Ethical Implications:The Bible often uses daytime to convey moral and ethical teachings. In
Romans 13:12-13 , Paul exhorts believers to live righteously, using the metaphor of day and night: "The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy." Daytime here is associated with living in the light of Christ, embodying truth and integrity.
Judgment and Accountability:Daytime is also a metaphor for judgment and accountability. In
1 Thessalonians 5:5 , believers are called "children of the light and children of the day," emphasizing their identity in Christ and their call to live in readiness for His return. The imagery of daytime underscores the clarity and transparency expected of those who follow Christ.
Practical Aspects:In practical terms, daytime in biblical times was the period for labor and daily activities. Jesus' parables often reflect this understanding, such as the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (
Matthew 20:1-16), where laborers are hired at different times of the day to work in the vineyard. This reflects the cultural and economic realities of the time, where daylight was essential for productivity.
Conclusion:Daytime in the Bible is rich with meaning, symbolizing divine order, revelation, moral clarity, and the opportunity for righteous living. It serves as a reminder of God's creation, His guidance, and the call to live as children of the light, reflecting His truth and righteousness in a world often marked by darkness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The time during which there is daylight, as distinguished from the night.
Greek
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
...Strong's Hebrew
3119. yomam --daytime, by day... 3118, 3119. yomam. 3120 .
daytime, by day. Transliteration: yomam Phonetic
Spelling: (yo-mawm') Short Definition: day.
... daily, by, in the
daytime.
...Library
Demonstration x. --Of Pastors.
... That which was broken I did not bring unto thee, but thou required it at my hands!
In thedaytime the heat devoured me and the cold by night....
June the Tenth Pillars of Cloud and Fire
... I need His leadership in thedaytime.... And so in thedaytime I need the shadow of
God's presence, the cooling, subduing, calming influence of a friendly cloud....
The "Demonstrations" of Aphrahat.
... And the sun set in midday and the land was darkened in the shiningdaytime, as is
written in Zechariah the Prophet:"It shall come to pass in that day, saith...
Death to Lawful Things is the Way Out into a Life of Surrender.
... calyx clasp tightly in the bud, round the beautiful petals; in the young flower
their grasp grows more elastic"loosening somewhat in thedaytime, but keeping...
Morning Prayers.
... Amen. 10. Jesus, gentle Shepherd, Bless Thy lamb to-day; Keep me in Thy
footsteps, Never let me stray. Guard me through thedaytime....
Dancing.
... was practiced only on joyful occasions, at national feasts, and after great victories;
third, that usually it was "performed by maidens in thedaytime, in open...
Jesus Comforting his Friends.
... in the darkness. There seems to be no need of the stars in thedaytime,
for the sunshine then floods all earth's paths. But when...
Watching the Horizon
... to-morrow. Some sleep. The body is awake indaytime. They walk and talk
and eat, buy and sell, count money and hoard it. But their...
Early Missionary Experiences
... my house became so dangerous that during the last few weeks, in consequence of nightly
recurring skirmishes, I gave up attempting to sleep except in thedaytime...
The Early Life of St. Joseph
... the gallery. Their sleeping places were carpets, rolled up against the
wall in thedaytime and separated by removable screens. I...
Thesaurus
Daytime (18 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Daytime (18 Occurrences).
... "If any one walks in the
daytime,
he does not stumble--because he sees the light of this world. (WEY).
...Day-time (11 Occurrences)
Day-time.Daytime, Day-time. Dazed . Multi-Version Concordance Day-time (11
Occurrences).... (ASV JPS).Daytime, Day-time. Dazed . Reference Bible.
Day-star (2 Occurrences)
Day-star. Daystar, Day-star.Daytime . Noah Webster's Dictionary 1... nations!
(ASV JPS). Daystar, Day-star.Daytime . Reference Bible.
Storm (62 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Isaiah 4:6 There will be a pavilion for a shade in thedaytime from the
heat, and for a refuge and for a shelter from storm and from rain....
Day (17670 Occurrences)
... Genesis 8:22, etc. The marked periods of thisdaytime were morning, noon
and night, as with us. See Psalm 55:17. The early hours...
Nighttime (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The time from dusk to dawn; -- opposed to
daytime. Multi-Version Concordance Nighttime (1 Occurrence)....
Noon (30 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) No. See No. 2. (n.) The middle of the day; midday;
the time when the sun is in the meridian; twelve o'clock in thedaytime....
Night (3322 Occurrences)
... The context usually makes it clear whether the term "day" refers to the period of
twenty-four hours or todaytime; when there was a possibility of confusion...
Unrighteousness (57 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:13 receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure
to revel in thedaytime, spots and blemishes, reveling in their deceit while...
Writhe (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 30:16 I will set a fire in Egypt: Sin shall be in great anguish, and No
shall be broken up; and Memphis shall have adversaries in thedaytime....
Resources
What does it mean to watch and pray? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the origin of Fat Tuesday / Mardi Gras? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to put on Christ in Romans 13:14? | GotQuestions.orgDaytime: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
