The term "afternoon" refers to the period of the day between noon and evening. In biblical times, the day was often divided into segments, with the afternoon being a significant part of daily life and activities. While the Bible does not frequently mention the term "afternoon" explicitly, it does provide insights into events and practices that occurred during this time of day.

Biblical Context and Usage

In the ancient Near East, the day was typically divided into three parts: morning, noon, and evening. The afternoon, therefore, would be the time following noon until the onset of evening. This period was often associated with rest, labor, and preparation for evening activities.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides several instances where activities or events are implied to occur in the afternoon. For example, in the account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal, the contest on Mount Carmel took place over the course of a day. After the prophets of Baal had called upon their god from morning until noon without success, Elijah began his own preparations in the afternoon. "At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, 'O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command'" (1 Kings 18:36). This indicates that significant religious activities and sacrifices were often conducted in the afternoon.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the afternoon is also a time of significant events. In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus describes a landowner who hires laborers at various times throughout the day, including the afternoon. "About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?' he asked" (Matthew 20:6). This parable illustrates the concept of grace and the kingdom of heaven, using the timing of the workday as a backdrop.

Cultural and Religious Practices

In Jewish tradition, the afternoon was a time for the Mincha prayer, one of the three daily prayers. This practice underscores the importance of dedicating time to God throughout the day, including the afternoon. The Mincha prayer is traditionally recited in the afternoon, reflecting a rhythm of devotion that permeates daily life.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

Theologically, the afternoon can symbolize a time of decision and action. It is a period when the heat of the day has passed, and individuals can reflect on their morning activities and prepare for the evening. In a spiritual sense, the afternoon can represent a time of maturity and productivity in a believer's life, a period to assess one's walk with God and make necessary adjustments.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly focus on the afternoon as a distinct theological concept, the time of day is woven into the fabric of biblical narratives and practices. It serves as a backdrop for significant events and teachings, offering insights into the daily rhythms of life in biblical times.(n.) The part of the day which follows noon, between noon and evening.AFTERNOON

af-ter-noon' (neToth ha-yom, "the declining of the day"; Judges 19:8 the King James Version): The expression kechom ha-yom, "in the heat of the day" (Genesis 18:1) refers to the early afternoon when the sun is a little past its zenith, its rays still being very strong. The phrase le-ruach ha-yom, "in the cool of the day" (Genesis 3:8) is in contrast to the last phrase and points to the late afternoon; in the Orient a cooling breeze arises at this period of the day, and it is then that much of the day's business is transacted.

See DAY.

1173. deipnon -- dinner, supper
... dinner, supper. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: deipnon Phonetic Spelling:
(dipe'-non) Short Definition: a dinner, an afternoon or evening meal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1173.htm - 6k

3798. opsios -- evening
... evening. From opse; late; feminine (as noun) afternoon (early eve) or nightfall
(later eve) -- even(-ing, (-tide)). see GREEK opse. (opsia) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3798.htm - 6k

5186. natah -- to stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
... root Definition to stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend NASB Word Usage
afternoon* (1), bend down (1), bent (1), bent down (1), bow (1), bowed (3 ...
/hebrew/5186.htm - 7k

3117. yom -- day
... root Definition day NASB Word Usage afternoon* (1), age (8), age* (1), all (1),
always* (14), amount* (2), battle (1), birthday* (1), Chronicles* (38 ...
/hebrew/3117.htm - 7k

It was Late in the Afternoon when Diamond and his Mother and the ...
... Chapter 15 It was late in the afternoon when Diamond and his mother and
the baby reached? It was late in the afternoon when Diamond ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 15 it was late.htm

The Second Sermon, in the Afternoon.
... THE SECOND SERMON, IN THE AFTERNOON. Filii hujus seculi, &c."Luc. xvi. [8].
Christ in this saying touched the sloth and sluggishness ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/the second sermon in the.htm

Living Broad Lives in Narrow Alleys.
... "Forenoon, afternoon, and night, Forenoon, afternoon, and night, Forenoon, afternoon,
and what? no more? The empty song repeats itself. Yea, that is life. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/living broad lives in narrow.htm

Arrival at Benares.
... It was early afternoon by the time of our arrival. ... As the afternoon comes
on, and the evening advances, there is fresh activity. ...
/.../chapter iii arrival at benares.htm

Muhlenberg's Unionism.
... G., 322.) November 25, 1742, Muhlenberg had arrived in Philadelphia, and on December
28th of the same year he wrote in his journal: "In the afternoon I visited ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/muhlenbergs unionism.htm

Humdrum
... successful.". One evening things came to a climax. We all spent a whole
afternoon without getting one good listener. We separated ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter iii humdrum.htm

The Young Martyr
... On the afternoon of August 9, 1853, a little Norwegian boy, named Kund Iverson,
who lived in the city of Chicago, Illinois, was going to the pastures for his ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/the young martyr.htm

The Bread and Water of Life
... "Forenoon, and afternoon, and night!"Forenoon, And afternoon, and
night!"Forenoon, and"what? The empty song repeats itself. No more? ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xi the bread and water.htm

The Room was Like and Oven
... Like and Oven. Sunday, 8."We were at the minster [21] in the morning and
at our parish church in the afternoon. The same gentleman ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the room was like and.htm

Memorable Atlantic Storms
... About one in the afternoon, almost as soon as I had stepped out of the great
cabin-door, the sea did not break as usual, but came with a full, smooth tide over ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/memorable atlantic storms.htm

Afternoon (9 Occurrences)
... evening. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AFTERNOON. af ... is transacted. See
DAY. Multi-Version Concordance Afternoon (9 Occurrences). ...
/a/afternoon.htm - 9k

O'clock (16 Occurrences)
... apiece; (WEY). Matthew 27:45 Now from noon until three o'clock in the afternoon
there was darkness over the whole land; (WEY). Matthew 27 ...
/o/o'clock.htm - 10k

Noon (30 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Noon (30 Occurrences). Matthew 27:45 Now from noon until
three o'clock in the afternoon there was darkness over the whole land; (WEY). ...
/n/noon.htm - 16k

Battle (282 Occurrences)
... to the Sun and Moon 4. The Astronomical Relations of the Sun and Moon 5. The "Silence"
of the Sun 6. "Yahweh Fought for Israel" 7. The Afternoon's March 8. The ...
/b/battle.htm - 55k

Decline (10 Occurrences)
... In Psalm 102:11; Psalm 109:23, the lengthening shadows of afternoon are said to
"decline," and the Revised Version (British and American) introduces the word ...
/d/decline.htm - 12k

Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)
... to the Sun and Moon 4. The Astronomical Relations of the Sun and Moon 5. The "Silence"
of the Sun 6. "Yahweh Fought for Israel" 7. The Afternoon's March 8. The ...
/b/bethhoron.htm - 30k

Beth-horon (12 Occurrences)
... to the Sun and Moon 4. The Astronomical Relations of the Sun and Moon 5. The "Silence"
of the Sun 6. "Yahweh Fought for Israel" 7. The Afternoon's March 8. The ...
/b/beth-horon.htm - 30k

Dial (2 Occurrences)
... The miracle therefore took place in the afternoon, when the sun moves on its downward
course, and when all shadows are thrown in an easterly direction. ...
/d/dial.htm - 19k

Till (774 Occurrences)
... fire. (DBY). Mark 15:33 At noon there came a darkness over the whole land,
lasting till three o'clock in the afternoon. (WEY BBE YLT). ...
/t/till.htm - 36k

Ahaz (42 Occurrences)
... The miracle therefore took place in the afternoon, when the sun moves on its downward
course, and when all shadows are thrown in an easterly direction. ...
/a/ahaz.htm - 43k

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Afternoon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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