Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the concept of "night" holds significant symbolic and literal meanings, often representing both physical darkness and spiritual themes. The term "night" appears frequently throughout the Scriptures, serving as a backdrop for divine encounters, moments of prayer, and times of trial and deliverance.
Creation and Order:The concept of night is introduced in the creation narrative.
Genesis 1:5 states, "God called the light 'day,' and the darkness He called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." Here, night is part of the divine order established by God, marking the cycle of time and the rhythm of creation.
Divine Encounters:Nighttime is often depicted as a period when God communicates with His people. In
Genesis 28:11-12, Jacob experiences a profound encounter with God through a dream at Bethel: "When Jacob reached a certain place, he spent the night there because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones from that place, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth, with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder."
Prayer and Vigilance:Night is also a time for prayer and spiritual vigilance. Jesus Himself spent nights in prayer, as seen in
Luke 6:12: "In those days, Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God." This highlights the importance of seeking God during the quiet and solitude of the night.
Trials and Deliverance:The night can symbolize times of trial and testing. In
Exodus 12:29-30, the final plague on Egypt occurs at midnight: "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 a pivotal moment of deliverance for the Israelites.
Symbolism of Darkness and Light:Night often symbolizes spiritual darkness, contrasting with the light of God's presence. In
John 9:4, Jesus speaks of the urgency of doing God's work: "While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work." This metaphorical use of night underscores the importance of living in the light of Christ.
Prophetic and Eschatological Themes:Prophetically, night can represent the period before the coming of the Lord. In
1 Thessalonians 5:2, Paul writes, "For you are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." This imagery conveys the unexpected and sudden nature of Christ's return.
Protection and Guidance:Despite its association with darkness, night is also a time when God provides protection and guidance.
Psalm 121:6 assures believers, "The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night." This promise reflects God's continual care over His people, regardless of the time of day.
In summary, the biblical portrayal of night encompasses a range of themes, from divine revelation and spiritual vigilance to trials and deliverance. It serves as a powerful symbol of both the challenges and the divine presence that believers encounter in their spiritual journey.
Greek
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.
...70. agrupnia -- sleeplessness, watching
... See 69 (). Word Origin from agrupneo Definition sleeplessness, watching NASB Word
Usage sleeplessnights (1), sleeplessness (1). sleeplessness....
Strong's Hebrew
3915. layil -- night... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition night NASB Word Usage midnight*
(6), night (200),
nights (14), nocturnal (1), overnight* (2), tonight (10).
...Library
A FewNights after This, Diamond Woke up Suddenly...
... Chapter 18 A fewnights after this, Diamond woke up suddenly? A fewnights
after this, Diamond woke up suddenly, believing he...
Whether Christ was in the Tomb Only one Day and TwoNights?
... OF CHRIST'S BURIAL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether Christ was in the tomb only one
day and twonights? Objection 1: It would seem that Christ...
How St Francis Passed the Time of Lent in an Island, on the Lake...
... OF ASSISI CHAPTER VII HOW ST FRANCIS PASSED THE TIME OF LENT IN AN ISLAND, ON THE
LAKE OF PERUGIA, WHERE HE FASTED FORTY DAYS AND FORTYNIGHTS, EATING NO MORE...
Forty Days and FortyNights
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Ash Wednesday and Lent 123. Forty days and fortynights.
Four 7's... Alt. Forty days and fortynights. Thou wast fasting in the wild;...
Songs in the Night
... darkness draweth the curtains, and shutteth out the light, which might prevent our
eyes from slumber; while the sweet, calm stillness of thenights permits us...
The Resurrection.
... THREE DAYS AND THREENIGHTS."There has been much discussion of the time
that the Savior's body was in the grave. As he had spoken...
Whether Christ's Temptation Should have Taken Place after his Fast...
... But it savors of extreme austerity that He should have eaten nothing for
forty days and fortynights, for Gregory (Hom. xvi inn...
Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
... belly, and Jesus was declared to be the Son of God by the resurrection from the
dead"Romans 1:4]: 40 For as Jonah was three days and threenights in the...
The Historicity of the Book of Jonah.
... For as Jonah was three days and threenights in the whale's belly, so shall the
Son of man be three days and threenights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew...
The Morning Breaketh
... It is very interesting to note that, whether we study the Old Testament or
the New,nights are always associated with God's mornings....
Thesaurus
Nights (27 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Nights (27 Occurrences). Matthew 4:2 When he had
fasted forty days and forty
nights, he was hungry afterward.
...Four (3139 Occurrences)
... years (1 Samuel 4:18); Moses was forty years old when he visited his brethren (Acts
7:23); the flood continued for "forty days and fortynights" (Genesis 7:4...
Drank (70 Occurrences)
... (WEB DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 34:28 He was there with Yahweh forty days
and fortynights; he neither ate bread, nor drank water....
Whale (2 Occurrences)
... It is to be noticed of the story of Jonah's being "three days and threenights in
the whale's belly," as recorded in Matthew 12:40, that here the Gr....
Tables (41 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Exodus 34:28 And he was there with the LORD forty
days and fortynights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water....
Drunk (84 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:28 And he is there with Jehovah forty days and fortynights; bread he
hath not eaten, and water he hath not drunk; and he writeth on the tables the...
Forty (142 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:2 When he had fasted forty days and fortynights, he was hungry afterward....
Genesis 7:12 The rain was on the earth forty days and fortynights....
Stomach (40 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and threenights in the stomach of the
great fish, so will the Son of man be three days and threenights in the heart...
Jonas (11 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and threenights in the whale's belly;
so shall the Son of man be three days and threenights in the heart of the...
Whale's (1 Occurrence)
... Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and threenights in the whale's belly;
so shall the Son of man be three days and threenights in the heart of the...
Resources
What is the sign of Jonah? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of 40 days in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgOn what day was Jesus crucified? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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