Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Definition and General Overview:Night, in the biblical context, refers to the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise. It is often used both literally and metaphorically throughout Scripture. Night is a time of rest and renewal, but it also symbolizes spiritual darkness, danger, and the absence of God's presence. Creation and Order: The concept of night is introduced in the creation narrative. In Genesis 1:5 , God establishes the cycle of day and night: "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 established by God, marking night as an integral part of creation. Symbolism and Metaphor: Night often symbolizes spiritual darkness and ignorance. In John 11:10 , Jesus states, "But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light." Here, night represents a lack of spiritual insight and guidance. Similarly, in Romans 13:12 , Paul exhorts believers, "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." This metaphorical use of night contrasts the sinful nature of humanity with the righteousness found in Christ. Divine Encounters and Revelations: Despite its association with darkness, night is also a time when God reveals Himself and communicates with His people. In Genesis 28:11-12 , Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven during the night, receiving God's promises. Similarly, in 1 Kings 3:5 , God appears to Solomon in a dream at night, offering him wisdom. These instances highlight night as a time of divine encounter and revelation. Protection and Deliverance: Night is also depicted as a time when God provides protection and deliverance. In Exodus 12:29-30 , the Lord strikes down the firstborn of Egypt at midnight, leading to the Israelites' deliverance from bondage. Psalm 91:5 reassures believers, "You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day," emphasizing God's protection over His people during the night. Prayer and Vigilance: Night is a time for prayer and spiritual vigilance. Jesus often withdrew to pray at night, 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 practice underscores the importance of seeking God during quiet and undistracted times. Additionally, in Matthew 25:6 , the parable of the ten virgins warns believers to remain vigilant, as the bridegroom arrives at midnight. Judgment and Accountability: Night can also signify impending judgment and the need for accountability. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2 , Paul warns, "For you are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." This imagery serves as a reminder of the suddenness and unpredictability of God's judgment, urging believers to live in readiness and righteousness. Eschatological Hope: Finally, night is contrasted with the hope of eternal day in the eschatological vision. Revelation 22:5 promises, "There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun, for the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever." This vision of the New Jerusalem signifies the ultimate triumph of God's light over darkness, offering believers the hope of eternal fellowship with Him. Smith's Bible Dictionary Night[DAY] ATS Bible Dictionary NightThe ancient Hebrews began their artificial day at evening, and ended it the next evening, so that the night proceeded the day. This usage may probably be traced to the terms employed in describing the creation, Genesis 1:5,8,13, etc., "The evening and the morning were the first day." The Hebrews allowed twelve to the day; but these hours were not equal, except at the equinox. At other times, when the hours of the night were long, those of the day were short, as in winter; and when the hours of night were short, as at midsummer, the hours of the day were long in proportion. See HOURS. The nights are sometimes extremely cold in Syria, when the days are very hot; and travelers in the deserts and among the mountains near Palestine refer to their own sufferings from these opposite extremes, in illustration of Jacob's words in Genesis 31:40, "In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes." Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) That part of the natural day when the sun is beneath the horizon, or the time from sunset to sunrise; esp., the time between dusk and dawn, when there is no light of the sun, but only moonlight, starlight, or artificial light.2. (n.) Darkness; obscurity; concealment. 3. (n.) Intellectual and moral darkness; ignorance. 4. (n.) A state of affliction; adversity; as, a dreary night of sorrow. 5. (n.) The period after the close of life; death. 6. (n.) A lifeless or unenlivened period, as when nature seems to sleep. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DAY AND NIGHT"Day," yom; ordinarily, the Hebrew "day" lasted from dawn to the coming forth of the starts (Nehemiah 4:21). The context usually makes it clear whether the term "day" refers to the period of twenty-four hours or to daytime; when there was a possibility of confusion, the term laylah, "night," was added (Genesis 7:4, 12; Genesis 31:39). The "day" is reckoned from evening to evening, in accordance with the order noted in the account of Creation, namely, "And there was evening and there was morning, one day" (Genesis 1:5); Leviticus 23:32 and Daniel 8:14 reflect the same mode of reckoning the day. The phrase `erebh boker, "evening-morning," used in this last passage, is simply a variation of yom and laylah, "day" and "night"; it is the equivalent of the Greek nuchthemeron (2 Corinthians 11:25). That the custom of reckoning the day as beginning in the evening and lasting until the following evening was probably of late origin is shown by the phrase "tarry all night" (Judges 19:6-9); the context shows that the day is regarded as beginning in the morning; in the evening the day "declined," and until the new day (morning) arrived it was necessary to "tarry all night" (compare also Numbers 11:32). NIGHT nit. NIGHT HAWK nit'-hok (tachmac, "tachmas"; glaux, but sometimes strouthos, and seirenos; Latin camprimulgus): The Hebrew tachmac means "to tear and scratch the face," so that it is very difficult to select the bird intended by its use. Any member of the eagle, vulture, owl or hawk families driven to desperation would "tear and scratch" with the claws and bite in self-defence. The bird is mentioned only in the lists of abominations (see Leviticus 11:16 Deuteronomy 14:15). There are three good reasons why the night-hawk or night-jar, more properly, was intended. The lists were sweeping and included almost every common bird unfit for food. Because of its peculiar characteristics it had been made the object of fable and superstition. It fed on wing at night and constantly uttered weird cries. Lastly, it was a fierce fighter when disturbed in brooding or raising its young. Its habit was to lie on its back and fight with beak and claw with such ferocity that it seemed very possible that it would "tear and scratch the face." Some commentators insist that the bird intended was an owl, but for the above reasons the night-jar seems most probable; also several members of the owl family were clearly indicated in the list. Greek 3571. nux -- night, by night ... night, by night. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: nux Phonetic Spelling: (noox) Short Definition: the night, night-time Definition: the night ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3571.htm - 6k 1273. dianuktereuo -- to pass the night 3574. nuchthemeron -- lasting a night and a day 1773. ennuchos -- nightly, neut. as adv. by night 835. aulizomai -- to lodge in the open, to lodge 63. agrauleo -- to live in the fields 5438. phulake -- a guarding, guard, watch 4594. semeron -- today 1798. enupnion -- a dream 219. alektorophonia -- the crowing of a rooster Strong's Hebrew 3885. luwn -- to lodge, pass the night, abide... 3884b, 3885. luwn. 3885a . to lodge, pass the night, abide. Transliteration: luwn Phonetic Spelling: (loon) Short Definition: lodge. ... /hebrew/3885.htm - 5k 3885a. lun -- to lodge, pass the night, abide 3915. layil -- night 3916. lela -- night 956. buth -- pass the night 1006b. bith -- to pass the night 3917a. lilith -- a female night-demon 2919. tal -- night mist, dew 3917. liyliyth -- a female night-demon 570. emesh -- yesterday Library The Terror by Night The Long Good-Night. Young's Night Thoughts A Song in the Night The Night Watch The Night Night The Night Bird: a Myth Night Watch-Night Service Thesaurus Night's (13 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Night's (13 Occurrences). ... And they said, Not so, but we will take our night's rest in the street. (BBE). ... /n/night's.htm - 10k Night-lodge (1 Occurrence) Night-bird (1 Occurrence) Night-time (1 Occurrence) Night-monster To-night (15 Occurrences) Night (3322 Occurrences) Night-watches (4 Occurrences) Night-hawk (2 Occurrences) Yesterday-night (1 Occurrence) Resources Why do some churches have a Sunday night/evening service? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a “dark night of the soul”? | GotQuestions.org Why do some churches have a Wednesday night service? | GotQuestions.org Night: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Night (3322 Occurrences)Night is used 3322 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Night: Continued Until Sunrise Night: Divided Into Four Watches by the Romans Night: Eastern Fishermen Continued Their Employment During Night: Eastern Shepherds Watched Over Their Flocks During Night: Favourable to the Purposes of the Wicked Night: Frequently: Accompanied by Heavy Dew Night: Frequently: Cold and Frosty Night: Frequently: Exceeding Dark Night: General Scriptures Concerning Night: God Frequently: Executed his Judgments In Night: God Frequently: Revealed his Will In Night: God Frequently: Visited his People In Night: Originally Divided Into Three Watches Night: Regular Succession of Established by Covenant Night: Regular Succession of Ordained for the Glory of God Night: Seasons of Severe Calamities Night: Seasons of Spiritual Desertion Night: The Darkness First Called Night: The Heavenly Bodies Designed to Separate Day From Night: The Jews in Affliction Spent, in Prayer Night: The Jews in Affliction Spent, in Sorrow and Humiliation Night: The Jews: Forbidden to Allow Malefactors to Hang During Night: The Jews: Forbidden to Keep the Wages of Servants During Night: The Jews: Often Kept Lamps Burning During Night: The Moon and Stars Designed to Rule and Give Light By Night: Unsuitable for Travelling Night: Wearisome to the Afflicted Night: Wild Beasts Go Forth in Search of Prey During Related Terms Yesterday-night (1 Occurrence) |