The Evening: The Day Originally Began With
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In the ancient Hebrew understanding of time, the day began with the evening. This concept is rooted in the creation narrative found in the Book of Genesis, where the phrase "And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day" (Genesis 1:5, BSB) establishes a pattern repeated throughout the creation account. This sequence underscores the biblical principle that the day commences with the evening, followed by the morning.

Biblical Foundation

The structure of the day beginning with the evening is evident in the Hebrew word "yom," which is used in Genesis to denote a day. The repeated phrase "And there was evening, and there was morning" (Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31, BSB) emphasizes the order of time as understood in the biblical context. This pattern reflects the Jewish reckoning of time, where a day starts at sunset and ends at the following sunset.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The evening-to-evening reckoning of a day is deeply embedded in Jewish tradition and religious practice. This understanding is reflected in the observance of the Sabbath, which begins at sunset on Friday and concludes at sunset on Saturday. Leviticus 23:32 (BSB) instructs, "From evening to evening, you shall celebrate your Sabbath," reinforcing the concept of the day beginning with the evening.

This practice is not only a matter of tradition but also a theological statement about the nature of time and creation. By starting the day with the evening, the biblical narrative emphasizes the transition from darkness to light, symbolizing God's creative power bringing order out of chaos.

Theological Implications

The evening-to-morning sequence has theological implications that extend beyond the mere counting of hours. It reflects the rhythm of creation and redemption, where God brings light into darkness and life into void. This pattern is mirrored in the life of believers, who are called to move from the darkness of sin into the light of salvation through Christ.

The New Testament continues this theme, as seen in the Gospel of John, where Jesus is described as the "light of the world" (John 8:12, BSB). The transition from evening to morning symbolizes the hope and renewal found in Christ, who dispels the darkness of sin and death.

Practical Observance

In practical terms, the evening-to-evening reckoning of a day affects various aspects of Jewish life, including the timing of festivals, fasts, and daily prayers. This understanding is also reflected in the Christian liturgical calendar, where the celebration of certain feasts and vigils begins on the evening before the actual day.

The biblical concept of the day beginning with the evening serves as a reminder of the continuity and unity of God's creation. It calls believers to recognize the divine order established from the beginning and to live in harmony with the rhythms of God's time.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Genesis 1:5
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ...
... THE EVENING OF THE THIRD DAY IN PASSION-WEEK - ON THE MOUNT OF ... real dogmas; or from
what source they had been originally derived. ... 5405] But that day, or rather ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the evening of.htm

The Fourth Day in Passion-Week - Jesus in his Last Sabbatic Rest ...
... the horizon, deepening into gold, brightening into day, growing into midday-strength
and evening-glory ... answered by this other: Why He originally allowed it ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii the fourth day.htm

On the Third Day He Rose Again from the Dead; He Ascended into ...
... the circle of disciples on that Easter-Evening one of ... the Church, even as Pentatecost
was her baptism day. ... in the Aspostic Circle, had originally concluded the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii on the third.htm

To the Rev. J. Jowett
... with a charge, the importance and difficulty of which I at present see much more
clearly than I originally did. ... I therefore, on the evening of the day of my ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev j jowett 7.htm

Old Revival Hymns.
... hymns, which deserved to live with his "Evening Song," seemed ... former sung inevitably
to Rimbault's tune, "Happy Day," and the ... It began originally with the line ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter vii old revival hymns.htm

The Second visit to Cana - Cure of the Nobleman's' Son at ...
... of the improvement is, Yesterday, at the seventh hour.' Now, however the Jewish
servants may originally have expressed ... If, on the evening of a day, they had ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ix the second visit.htm

The Worship of the Synagogue
... all likelihood it had been the practice originally to insert ... as it is at present
used in evening prayer.) "Oh ... The section for the day was subdivided, so that ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 17 the worship of.htm

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day ...
... is now termed the first day of the week, was originally the rest of ... to his disciples
after his resurrection: it was on the evening of the first day of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/questions about the nature and.htm

On the Words, and Rose Again from the Dead on the Third Day, and ...
... in the morning [1678] : for in the evening was the ... Seeing then that such a Bishop
originally [1764] saw ... witness to the Resurrection, lying there to this day. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xiv on the words.htm

The Anglican Reform
... were short verses from Scripture originally intended to ... Church, mentions morning
hymns and evening prayers as ... divers London churches on Easter-day, which fell ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/chapter i the anglican reform.htm

Resources
Why do some churches have a Sunday night/evening service? | GotQuestions.org

Why do some churches have a Wednesday night service? | GotQuestions.org

On what day was Jesus crucified? | GotQuestions.org

Evening: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Evening

The Evening: A Season For: Exercise

The Evening: A Season For: Meditation

The Evening: A Season For: Prayer

The Evening: A Season For: Taking Food

The Evening: All Defiled Persons Uncleaned Until

The Evening: Called: Cool of the Day

The Evening: Called: Even

The Evening: Called: Eventide

The Evening: Custom of Sitting at the Gates In

The Evening: Divided Into Two, Commencing at 3 O'Clock, and Sunset

The Evening: Humiliation often Continued Until

The Evening: Man Ceases from Labour In

The Evening: Part of the Daily Sacrifice offered In

The Evening: Paschal Lamb Killed In

The Evening: Stretches out Its Shadows

The Evening: The Day Originally Began With

The Evening: The Golden Candlestick Lighted In

The Evening: The Outgoings of, Praise God

The Evening: The Sky Red In, a Token of Fair Weather

The Evening: Wild Beasts Come Forth In

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The Evening: Stretches out Its Shadows
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