Topical Encyclopedia
Sunset, the time when the sun dips below the horizon, holds significant meaning in the Bible, both literally and symbolically. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the day was often considered to begin at sunset, marking the transition from one day to the next. This understanding is rooted in the creation account in Genesis, where it is stated, "And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day" (
Genesis 1:5). This pattern of evening preceding morning is a recurring theme in the biblical narrative.
Biblical Observances and SunsetSunset plays a crucial role in the observance of the Sabbath and other Jewish festivals. According to Levitical law, the Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday.
Leviticus 23:32 states, "From evening to evening, you shall keep your Sabbath" . This command underscores the importance of sunset as a marker for sacred time, setting apart the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship.
Similarly, the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is observed from sunset to sunset, emphasizing the solemnity and sacredness of this holy day. The timing of these observances highlights the biblical principle of rest and reflection beginning with the cessation of daily labor at sunset.
Symbolism of SunsetSunset in the Bible often symbolizes the end of a period or the completion of a task. It can represent the close of a day, a life, or an era. In
Psalm 104:19, the psalmist notes, "He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set" , illustrating the divine order and rhythm established by God in creation.
The imagery of sunset is also used metaphorically to describe the brevity and transience of life. In
Ecclesiastes 1:5, it is written, "The sun rises and the sun sets; it hurries back to where it rises" , conveying the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of its end. This serves as a reminder of human mortality and the importance of living a life aligned with God's will.
Sunset in the New TestamentIn the New Testament, sunset marks significant moments in the life and ministry of Jesus. For instance, in
Mark 1:32, it is recorded, "That evening, after sunset, people brought to Jesus all who were sick and demon-possessed" . This passage highlights the compassion and healing power of Jesus, as people sought Him out at the end of the day, bringing their burdens and ailments to Him.
Furthermore, the timing of events around sunset underscores the fulfillment of prophecy and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The crucifixion of Jesus took place on the day of Preparation, and His body was laid in the tomb before sunset, in accordance with Jewish burial customs (
Mark 15:42-46).
Practical ImplicationsFor believers, sunset can serve as a daily reminder of God's faithfulness and the opportunity for reflection and renewal. As the day comes to a close, it is a time to pause, give thanks, and seek God's guidance for the coming day. The setting sun can inspire believers to trust in God's provision and to rest in His promises, knowing that His mercies are new every morning (
Lamentations 3:22-23).
In summary, sunset in the Bible is rich with meaning, marking the transition of time, the observance of sacred days, and the unfolding of God's divine plan. It serves as a powerful symbol of completion, reflection, and hope in the life of faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Alt. of Sunsetting.
Greek
2250. hemera -- day... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hemera Phonetic Spelling: (hay-mer'-ah)
Short Definition: a day Definition: a day, the period from sunrise to
sunset...3317. mesonuktion -- at midnight
... mesonuktion Phonetic Spelling: (mes-on-ook'-tee-on) Short Definition: midnight
Definition: midnight, the middle of the period betweensunset and sunrise....
3600. odunao -- to cause or suffer pain
... personal expressed by great (). This root () literally means "go " (as the
sun in asunset) and refers to sorrow. Word Origin from...
Strong's Hebrew
8122. shemash -- sun... 8121, 8122. shemash. 8123 . sun. Transliteration: shemash Phonetic Spelling:
(sheh'-mesh) Short Definition:
sunset. Word Origin
...3117. yom -- day
... From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal
(from sunrise tosunset, or from onesunset to the next), or figurative (a...
3996. mabo -- entrance, a coming in, entering
... entrance, a coming in, entering NASB Word Usage come (1), enter (1), entrance (13),
entry (1), place of its setting (1), setting (5),sunset* (1), west* (1)....
4606. meal -- a going in
... 4605, 4606. meal. 4607 . a going in. Transliteration: meal Phonetic Spelling:
(may-awl') Short Definition:sunset. Word Origin (Aramaic...
6153. ereb -- evening
... Origin from an unused word Definition evening NASB Word Usage evening (114), evening*
(1), evenings (2), every evening (1), night (2),sunset (1), twilight (11...
8121. shemesh -- sun
... sun NASB Word Usage battlements (1), daylight (1), daylight* (1), east side* (2),
east* (7), sun (109), sun's (1), sundown* (1), sunrise* (3),sunset* (6), west...
935. bo -- to come in, come, go in, go
... 1), return (2), return* (1), returned (1), returned* (1), runs (1), set (6), sets
(4), shedding (1), spring (1), stand (2), sundown* (1),sunset* (5), support...
Library
Reflections atSunset.
... MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS. 944. " Reflections atSunset. 944. 7s. &
6s. M. Sacred Songs. Reflections atSunset. 1 The mellow...
I when Fails the Light atSunset Grey,
... EVENING I When fails the light atsunset grey,. 8,8,8,8... Springs from my heart
in fervent prayer,. When fails the light atsunset grey,....
Sunset and Evening Star
... III. SACRAMENTS AND RITES Burial of the Dead 412.Sunset and evening star. PM... Afred
Tennyson, 1889.Sunset and evening star,. And one clear call for me!...
LM *Wordsworth.Sunset Hymn.
... VIII. VARIOUS OCCASIONS. 369. LM *Wordsworth.Sunset Hymn. 1 Up to the throne
of God is borne The voice of praise at early morn, And...
Responsiveness to Christ.
... Shepherd.". THE COW AND THESUNSET. Sanctification... Him. A cow and the man who owns
the cow may stand side by side and look at the samesunset. The...
Jesus Predicts, the Rulers Plot For, and Judas Bargains for his...
... (Mount of Olives, Bethany, and Jerusalem. Tuesday AfterSunset,... The passover was
eaten Thursday night aftersunset, which the Jews reckoned as Friday....
"A Kind of Waterspout"
... It was seen near Mousehole an hour beforesunset. Aboutsunset it began traveling
over the land, tearing up all the furze and shrubs it met....
Preparation for Passover. Disciples Contend for Precedence.
... (Bethany to Jerusalem. Thursday Afternoon and, AfterSunset, Beginning of Friday.)
^A Matthew 26:17-20; ^B Mark 14:12-17; ^C Luke 22:7-18, 24-30....
Two Sunsets
... The same afternoon that the message so dreadful came to me grandmother visited
a neighbor who was drawing near to his life'ssunset....
At Masaarah
... Late, onesunset, while there yet was daylight, she left the camp merely that she
might wander down the valley to the same spot where, at the same hour, she...
Thesaurus
Sunset (18 Occurrences)...Sunset (18 Occurrences).
... (WEY). Mark 1:32 When it was evening, after
sunset people
came bringing Him all who were sick and the demoniacs; (WEY NIV).
...Evening (163 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The period followingsunset with which the Jewish
day began (Genesis 1:5; Mark 13:35). The Hebrews reckoned...
Night (3322 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That part of the natural day when the sun is beneath the horizon, or the
time fromsunset to sunrise; esp., the time between dusk and dawn, when there...
Eventide (10 Occurrences)
... even," "evening," 'erebh; opsia, opse; see Thayer under the word): The words are
used in slightly different meanings: (1) The time ofsunset, the beginning of...
Even (10971 Occurrences)
... even," "evening," 'erebh; opsia, opse; see Thayer under the word): The words are
used in slightly different meanings: (1) The time ofsunset, the beginning of...
Fever (13 Occurrences)
... in late summer and autumn, when the mosquitoes are most numerous, and when there
is a liability to chill, owing to the sudden drop of temperature atsunset....
Towards (416 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 27:57 Towardssunset there came a wealthy inhabitant of Arimathaea,
named Joseph, who himself also had become a disciple of Jesus. (WEY)....
Twilight (25 Occurrences)
... lit (nesheph): The twilight of Palestine is of short duration, owing to the low
latitude, there being scarcely more than an hour betweensunset and complete...
Darkness (177 Occurrences)
... There the day does not slowly fade away into the night after a period of twilight,
but beforesunset there is the brightness of day, and when the sun has...
Dinner (23 Occurrences)
... The full meal was not to be taken until a little before or aftersunset, when the
laborers had come in from their work (Luke 17:7; compare the "supper time" of...
Resources
Why did the time period of being unclean end in the evening? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is a day measured from evening to morning in Genesis 1? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does shabbat mean? | GotQuestions.orgSunset: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
