Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Significance:Midday, often referred to as noon, is the time of day when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. In biblical times, this period was significant for various reasons, both practical and symbolic. It was a time when the heat of the day was most intense, often leading to a pause in labor and activity. Spiritually, midday can symbolize clarity, revelation, and divine intervention.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 43:16 · In the account of Joseph, midday is mentioned as a time for a meal. "When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, 'Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they are to dine with me at noon.'" This passage highlights midday as a time for fellowship and hospitality.
2.
1 Kings 18:26-29 · The account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel describes midday as a time of intense spiritual confrontation. "So they took the bull that was given to them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, 'O Baal, answer us!' But there was no sound, and no one answered. And they leaped around the altar they had made. At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, 'Shout louder! For he is a god; perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.'" Here, midday serves as a backdrop for a dramatic demonstration of God's power over false gods.
3.
Acts 22:6 · The conversion of Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul, occurred at midday. "About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me." This event underscores midday as a moment of divine revelation and transformation.
Symbolism:Midday in the Bible often symbolizes a time of decision, revelation, and divine intervention. The brightness of the sun at its zenith can represent the clarity and truth of God's presence and action. It is a time when hidden things are brought to light, and God's purposes are revealed.
Cultural Context:In the ancient Near East, midday was typically a time of rest due to the intense heat. People would often seek shade and respite, pausing from their labors. This cultural practice is reflected in various biblical narratives, where midday serves as a time for meals, rest, or significant encounters.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, midday can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual awakening and enlightenment. Just as the sun illuminates the earth at noon, God's truth and presence illuminate the hearts and minds of believers. Midday moments in the Bible often coincide with pivotal events that change the course of individuals' lives and, by extension, the history of God's people.
Practical Application:For believers today, midday can serve as a reminder to pause and reflect on God's presence and guidance. It can be a time for prayer, meditation, and seeking clarity in the midst of daily activities. The biblical examples of midday encounters encourage Christians to be open to God's voice and direction at any moment.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The middle part of the day; noon.
2. (a.) of or pertaining to noon; meridional; as, the midday sun.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MIDDAYmid'-da (machatsith ha-yom, tsohorayim; hemera mese): The Hebrew machatsith ha-yom (Nehemiah 8:3) and the Greek hemeras meses (Acts 26:13) are strictly the middle of the day, but the Hebrew tshorayim is a dual form from tsohar, meaning "light," hence, light or brightness, i.e. the brightest part of the day (1 Kings 18:29).
SeeNOON.
Greek
3314. mesembria -- noon, the south... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: mesembria Phonetic Spelling:
(mes-ame-bree'-ah) Short Definition: the South Definition: (lit:
midday, hence,
...2250. hemera -- day
... 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* (1), time (12...
644. aposkiasma -- a shadow
... turning. Typically shadows change according to the changing position of
the sun (being short atmidday and lengthy at nightfall)....
3319. mesos -- middle, in the midst
... Definition middle, in the midst NASB Word Usage among (3), among* (5), before*
(3), between (1), between* (3), center (6), forward* (3),midday* (1), middle (6...
Strong's Hebrew
6672. tsohar --midday, noon... 6671, 6672. tsohar. 6672a .
midday, noon. Transliteration: tsohar Phonetic
Spelling: (tso'-har) Short Definition:
midday.
midday, noonday window
...6672a. tsohar --midday, noon
... 6672, 6672a. tsohar. 6672b .midday, noon. Transliteration: tsohar Short
Definition: noon. Word Origin from an unused word Definition...
4276. machatsith -- half, middle
... Word Origin from chatsah Definition half, middle NASB Word Usage half (11), half
as much (1), half-tribe* (3),midday* (1). half so much,midday....
3117. yom -- day
... holiday* (3), later* (2), length (1), life (12), life* (1), lifetime (2), lifetime*
(1), live (1), long (2), long as i live (1), long* (11),midday* (1), now (5...
Library
Tell Me, O Thou whom My Soul Loveth, Where Thou Feedest, Where...
... CHAPTER I. 6. Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou
reposest atmidday, lest I should begin to wander after the flocks of thy...
Of the Days on Which, when Supper is Provided for the Brethren, a...
... custom ordinarily to have but one meal a day on the fast days (viz., Wednesday and
Friday); this was at the ninth hour; on other days, at the sixth (ie,midday...
On the Words of the Gospel, John x. 14, "I am the Good Shepherd...
... Tell me where Thou feedest, where Thou liest down in themidday; lest haply I light,
as one veiled, upon the flocks of Thy companions." [4145]....
The Fifth Day in Passion-Week - Make Ready the Passover!'
... This division of the day for festive purposes was a Rabbinic addition; and, by way
of a hedge around it, an hour beforemidday was fixed after which nothing...
But Now, what Follows from this New Risen Light? Why...
... Would you find a gospel- Christian in all thismidday glory of learning, you may
light a candle, as the philosopher did in themidday sun, to find an honest man...
Whether to Create is to Make Something from Nothing?
... be made from nothing, this preposition "from" [ex] does not signify the material
cause, but only order; as when we say, "from morning comesmidday""ie after...
On Heavenly Objects
... name. [Luke 1:78; Zech.6:12]. The west is the lessening of a better life;
in the prophet: our sun has set atmidday. [Am.8:9]. The...
The Two Paths
... image compares the path of the just to the growing brightness of morning dawn, becoming
more and more fervid and lustrous, till the climax of an Easternmidday...
With the Rev. William Burns
... Usually aboutmidday we returned to our boats for dinner, fellowship, and
prayer, and then resumed our out-door work until dusk....
The "Demonstrations" of Aphrahat.
... And the sun set inmidday and the land was darkened in the shining daytime, as is
written in Zechariah the Prophet:"It shall come to pass in that day, saith...
Thesaurus
Midday (11 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) The middle part of the day; noon. 2. (a.) of or pertaining to noon; meridional;
as, the
midday sun. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MIDDAY.
...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 the daytime....
Meridian (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Being at, or pertaining to,midday; belonging to, or passing through,
the highest point attained by the sun in his diurnal course....
Noonday (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.)Midday; twelve o'clock in the day; noon. 2. (a.)
of or pertaining tomidday; meridional; as, the noonday heat. Int....
Noontide (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The time of noon;midday. Multi-Version
Concordance Noontide (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 38:10 I said, In...
Night (3322 Occurrences)
... 7:4). Since there were no definite measurements of the time of day, the various
periods were indicated by the natural changes of the day; thus "midday" was the...
Journeyed (111 Occurrences)
... Acts 26:13 Atmidday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the
brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me....
Water-gate (5 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:3 And he read in it before the open place that was before the water-gate
from the morning untilmidday, in presence of the men and the women, and...
Frantic (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 18:29 It was so, whenmidday was past, that they prophesied until the time
of the offering of the offering; but there was neither voice, nor any to...
Flourishing (11 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 59:10 We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no
eyes: we stumble atmidday as in the twilight; amongst the flourishing we are...
Resources
What is the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of pestilence in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible mean when it tells us to fear not / do not fear? | GotQuestions.orgMidday: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
