Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Significance:Midnight, the middle of the night, is a significant time marker in the Bible, often associated with divine intervention, judgment, and deliverance. It is a time when God’s power and presence are vividly demonstrated, marking pivotal moments in biblical narratives.
Biblical References:1.
Exodus and Deliverance: Midnight is notably mentioned in the context of the Exodus from Egypt. In
Exodus 11:4, Moses warns Pharaoh of the impending final plague: "So Moses declared, 'This is what the LORD says: About midnight I will go throughout Egypt.'" This prophecy is fulfilled in
Exodus 12:29, where it is recorded, "Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well." This event marks the liberation of the Israelites from bondage, showcasing God’s power and faithfulness to His covenant people.
2.
Judgment and Justice: Midnight is also a time of judgment. In the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus uses midnight to symbolize the unexpected arrival of the bridegroom, representing the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 25:6 states, "At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’" This parable emphasizes the need for readiness and vigilance in anticipation of Christ’s return.
3.
Paul and Silas in Prison: In
Acts 16:25, Paul and Silas, imprisoned for their faith, are found praying and singing hymns to God at midnight: "About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them." Their worship leads to a miraculous earthquake that opens the prison doors, resulting in the conversion of the jailer and his household. This account highlights the power of faith and worship even in dire circumstances.
4.
Divine Protection and Guidance: Midnight is also a time when God provides protection and guidance. In
Psalm 119:62, the psalmist declares, "At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments." This verse reflects a heart of gratitude and trust in God’s righteous decrees, even during the darkest hours.
Theological Implications:Midnight in the Bible often symbolizes a turning point, a moment when God intervenes in human history to bring about His purposes. It serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and the importance of spiritual vigilance. The events associated with midnight underscore themes of deliverance, judgment, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Believers are encouraged to remain watchful and faithful, trusting in God’s timing and His ultimate plan for redemption.
ATS Bible Dictionary
MidnightSeeHOUR.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The middle of the night; twelve o'clock at night.
2. (a.) Being in, or characteristic of, the middle of the night; as, midnight studies; midnight gloom.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MIDNIGHTmid'-nit (chatsoth laylah, "middle of the night" (Exodus 11:4Job 34:20Psalm 119:62), chatsi ha-laylah, "the half of the night" (Exodus 12:29Judges 16:3Ruth 3:8), tokh ha-laylah, "the division of the night" and hence, the middle point (1 Kings 3:20); meses nuktos (Matthew 25:6), or meson tes nuktos, "the middle of the night" (Acts 27:27), mesonuktios, "midnight"; Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek, mesonuktion (Acts 16:25, etc.)): In the period before the exile midnight does not seem to have been very accurately determined. The division of the night was into three watches, the middle one of which included midnight. In New Testament times the four-watch division was used where midnight must have been more or less accurately determined.
SeeTIME;WATCH.
H. Porter
Greek
3317. mesonuktion -- atmidnight... at
midnight. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: mesonuktion Phonetic
Spelling: (mes-on-ook'-tee-on) Short Definition:
midnight Definition:
midnight...3571. nux -- night, by night
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition night, by night NASB Word Usage evening (1),
midnight* (2), night (55), night night (1), nights (3).midnight....
219. alektorophonia -- the crowing of a rooster
... alektorophonia Phonetic Spelling: (al-ek-tor-of-o-nee'-ah) Short Definition: cockcrow
Definition: the cockcrow, as a period of time, betweenmidnight and 3 am....
3319. mesos -- middle, in the midst
... midst NASB Word Usage among (3), among* (5), before* (3), between (1), between*
(3), center (6), forward* (3), midday* (1), middle (6),midnight* (2), midst (19...
Strong's Hebrew
2676. chatsoth -- division, middle... 2675, 2676. chatsoth. 2677 . division, middle. Transliteration: chatsoth Phonetic
Spelling: (khaw-tsoth') Short Definition:
midnight.
...midnight.
...3915. layil -- night
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition night NASB Word Usagemidnight*
(6), night (200), nights (14), nocturnal (1), overnight* (2), tonight (10)....
2677. chatsi -- half
... Word Origin from chatsah Definition half NASB Word Usage half (76), half-tribe
(1), half-tribe* (32), halfway (2), middle (6),midnight* (3), midst (2), two...
8433. towkechah -- rebuke, correction
... khaw') Short Definition: among. amongst, where, into, middle,midnight, midst
among, out of, through, within And towkachath {to-kakh...
Library
TheMidnight Cry.
... THEMIDNIGHT CRY. THEMIDNIGHT CRY. 8,6,8,6. "And what I say unto you I say unto
all, Watch.""Mark 13:37. "Der Herr bricht ein, um Mitternacht."....
Midnight.
... MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS. 956. "Midnight. 956. LM Kenn.Midnight.
1 My God, I now from sleep awake; The sole possession of...
Midnight.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCXII.Midnight. 7.7.7.7 James Montgomery.Midnight. In
a land of strange delight,. My transported spirit stray'd;...
The Friend atMidnight.
... XVIII. THE FRIEND ATMIDNIGHT. "And he said unto them, Which of you shall
have a friend, and shall go unto him atmidnight, and...
The Man who Knocked atMidnight
... THE MAN WHO KNOCKED ATMIDNIGHT. "Lord, teach us to pray.""Luke 11.i. "Which of
you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him atmidnight . ....
Midnight Hymn
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CLXXIXMIDNIGHT HYMN. My GOD, now I from
sleep awake, The sole possession of me take; Frommidnight terrors me secure,....
Midnight.
...MIDNIGHT. Um Mitternacht bin ich erwacht [363]Friedrich R?�ckert. trans. by Catherine
Winkworth, 1869. At dead of night. Sleep took her flight....
Psalm 63:2. 6-10. Second Part.Midnight Thoughts Recollected.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 63:2. 6-10. Second Part.Midnight
thoughts recollected. 1 'Twas in the watches of the night...
It came Upon theMidnight Clear
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Christmas 79. It came upon themidnight clear. CMD... Edmund
H. Sears, 1846. It came upon themidnight clear,. That glorious song of old,....
Psalm 63 Part 2Midnight Thoughts Recollected.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 63 PART 2Midnight thoughts recollected. v.6-10 CM.Midnight
thoughts recollected. 'Twas in the watches of the night....
Thesaurus
Midnight (14 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Being in, or characteristic of, the middle of the night; as,
midnight studies;
midnight gloom. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MIDNIGHT.
...Cockcrowing (1 Occurrence)
... The cock usually crows several times soon aftermidnight (this is the first crowing),
and again at the dawn of day (and this is the second crowing)....
Cock-crowing (3 Occurrences)
... The cock usually crows several times soon aftermidnight (this is the first crowing),
and again at the dawn of day (and this is the second crowing)....
Tore (59 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:3 Samson lay untilmidnight, and arose atmidnight, and laid hold of the
doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar...
Disorder (6 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV NIV). Job 10:22 the land dark asmidnight, of the shadow of death,
without any order, where the light is asmidnight.'" (See NIV)....
Plucked (46 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:3 Samson lay untilmidnight, and arose atmidnight, and laid hold of the
doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar...
Bars (50 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:3 And Samson lay tillmidnight, and arose atmidnight, and laid hold of
the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up...
Chaos (4 Occurrences)
... Chaos (4 Occurrences). Job 10:22 the land dark asmidnight, of the shadow of death,
without any order, where the light is asmidnight.'" (See RSV)....
Shoulders (38 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:3 Samson lay untilmidnight, and arose atmidnight, and laid hold of the
doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar...
Pulled (84 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:3 But Samson lay tillmidnight, and atmidnight he arose and took hold
of the doors of the gate of the city and the two posts, and pulled them up...
Resources
What is the witching hour, and is it in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Parable of the Friend in Need (Persistent Neighbor)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat time was Jesus crucified? What time did Jesus die on the cross? | GotQuestions.orgMidnight: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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