Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, December 21st, 2024
the Third Week of Advent
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!

Bible Dictionaries
Watches of the Night

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Search for…
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Washing
Next Entry
Water
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links

The Jews reckoned three military watches: the "first" or beginning of the watches (Lamentations 2:19), from sunset to ten o'clock; the second or "middle watch" was from ten until two o'clock (Judges 7:19); the third, "the morning watch," from two to sunrise (Exodus 14:24; 1 Samuel 11:11). Afterward under the Romans they had four watches (Matthew 14:25): Luke 12:38, "even, midnight, cockcrowing, and morning" (Mark 13:35); ending respectively at 9 p.m., midnight, 3 a.m., and 6 a.m. (compare Acts 12:4.) Watchmen patrolled the streets (Song of Solomon 3:3; Song of Solomon 5:7; Psalms 127:1).

Bibliography Information
Fausset, Andrew R. Entry for 'Watches of the Night'. Fausset's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​fbd/​w/watches-of-the-night.html. 1949.
 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile