Eventide, often referred to as evening or twilight, holds significant spiritual and symbolic meaning within the biblical narrative. It is a time of transition from the activities of the day to the rest and reflection of the night. In the Bible, eventide is frequently associated with moments of divine encounter, reflection, and the closing of a day's labor.

Biblical References

The concept of eventide is mentioned in various contexts throughout Scripture. In Genesis 24:63, Isaac goes out to meditate in the field at eventide, illustrating a time for contemplation and communion with God: "And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening; and he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, camels were coming." This passage highlights the practice of seeking solitude and reflection during the evening hours.

In the New Testament, eventide is also a time when Jesus performed miracles and taught the multitudes. Mark 1:32 states, "That evening, after sunset, people brought to Jesus all who were sick and demon-possessed." Here, eventide becomes a moment of healing and deliverance, as the day's work transitions into a time of restoration and divine intervention.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Eventide symbolizes the end of a cycle and the preparation for a new beginning. It is a time for rest and renewal, both physically and spiritually. The evening sacrifice, as described in Exodus 29:39, "Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight," underscores the importance of closing the day with worship and dedication to God.

The evening also serves as a metaphor for the end of life or the close of an era. In Psalm 141:2, David prays, "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering." This imagery connects the act of prayer with the evening sacrifice, emphasizing the importance of ending the day with devotion and supplication.

Practical Application

For believers, eventide can be a time to pause and reflect on the day's events, seeking God's presence and guidance. It is an opportunity to offer prayers of thanksgiving and to intercede for others. The quietness of the evening provides a conducive environment for meditation on Scripture and for listening to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit.

In family and communal settings, eventide can be a time for gathering together in prayer and worship, reinforcing bonds and encouraging one another in faith. The practice of evening devotions or vespers can serve as a meaningful way to conclude the day, fostering a sense of peace and spiritual renewal.

Conclusion

Eventide, as depicted in the Bible, is a time rich with spiritual significance. It invites believers to transition from the busyness of the day into a period of rest, reflection, and communion with God. Through prayer, meditation, and worship, the evening hours become a sacred time to draw closer to the Creator and to prepare for the new day ahead.(n.) The time of evening; evening.EVEN; EVENING; EVENTIDE

e'-v'-n, ev'-ning, ev-'-n-tid' ("even," "evening," 'erebh; opsia, opse; see Thayer under the word):

The words are used in slightly different meanings:

(1) The time of sunset, the beginning of the Hebrew day, as in Leviticus 15, where directions are given for the removal of uncleanness, which took place at sunset.

(2) Twilight, the time of approaching darkness when lamps are lighted; Exodus 30:8 (literally, "between the two evenings"); Jeremiah 6:4 ("the shadows of the evening").

(3) The early part of the night (Proverbs 7:9 Ezekiel 12:7).

The Greek opse is literally, "late" (Mark 11:19). The Greek hespera, refers evidently to sunset, in Luke 24:29. "Eventide," `eth `erebh, "time of evening" (2 Samuel 11:2 Isaiah 17:14). "Evening," used in connection with wolves (Jeremiah 5:6 Zephaniah 3:3), is from the Hebrew [`arabhah], which may mean "darkness" or "dark cloud," but more probably "plain" or "desert."

H. Porter

6437. panah -- to turn
... appear, at eventide, behold, cast out, come on, corner, dawning, empty,. A primitive
root; to turn; by implication, to face, ie Appear, look, etc. ...
/hebrew/6437.htm - 6k

Light at Eventide
... Light at Eventide. "The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom
under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/light at eventide .htm

24TH DAY. Eventide Light.
... 24TH DAY. Eventide Light. "He is Faithful that Promised." "At evening-
time it shall be light.""Zechariah 14:7. Eventide Light. ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/24th day eventide light.htm

Come, Rest Awhile; 'tis Eventide --
... HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH Come, rest awhile; 'tis eventide". 8,8,8,4. Come,
rest awhile; 'tis eventide". The hour to meditation dear; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the early church/come rest awhile tis eventide.htm

Eventide. Evening of the Day.
... 56 Eventide. 10s. Evening of the Day. Evening of the Day. Abide with me: fast
falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide! ...
/.../lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/56 eventide 10s evening of.htm

Eventide. Closing Hymn.
... 57 Eventide. 10s. Closing Hymn. Closing Hymn. Savior, again to thy dear
name we raise With one accord our parting hymn of praise ...
/.../lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/57 eventide 10s closing hymn.htm

Abide with Me! Fast Falls the Eventide;
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCCX Abide with me! Fast falls
the eventide; The darkness deepens: LORD, with me abide! ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cccx abide with me fast.htm

Abide with Me: Fast Falls the Eventide
... THE HYMNAL. I. DAILY PRAYER: Morning Daily Prayer: Evening 18. Abide with me: fast
falls the eventide. Four 10's [78]Eventide: William Henry Monk, 1861. ...
/.../daily prayer evening 18 abide.htm

"Abide with Me, Fast Falls the Eventide. "
... Hymn 27. 10's. "Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.". Abide with me, fast
falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide. ...
/.../a collection of gospel hymns in ojibway and english/hymn 27 10s abide with.htm

"Abide with Me, Fast Falls the Eventide. "
... Nuhguhmoowin 27. 10's. "Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.". Pe we jewh shin;
suh keen Ta ba nin ga, Kush ke de bik ud; O we je we shin! ...
/.../nuhguhmoowin 27 10s abide with.htm

Elucidations.
... But I never looked at one of those Christian lamps without imagining its owner,
singing, as it was lighted, the eventide hymn (of which see Elucidation III ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the instructor paedagogus/elucidations.htm

Eventide (10 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EVEN; EVENING; EVENTIDE. ... "Eventide," `eth
`erebh, "time of evening" (2 Samuel 11:2 Isaiah 17:14). ...
/e/eventide.htm - 11k

Even (10971 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EVEN; EVENING; EVENTIDE. ... "Eventide," `eth
`erebh, "time of evening" (2 Samuel 11:2 Isaiah 17:14). ...
/e/even.htm - 9k

Evening (163 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EVEN; EVENING; EVENTIDE. ... "Eventide," `eth
`erebh, "time of evening" (2 Samuel 11:2 Isaiah 17:14). ...
/e/evening.htm - 41k

Olive-leaf (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 8:11 and the dove came in to him at eventide; and, lo, in her mouth an
olive-leaf plucked off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the ...
/o/olive-leaf.htm - 6k

Ward (27 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ward (27 Occurrences). Acts 4:3 And they laid hands on
them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide. (ASV DBY). ...
/w/ward.htm - 19k

Freshly (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 8:11 and the dove came in to him at eventide; and, lo, in her mouth an
olive-leaf plucked off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the ...
/f/freshly.htm - 6k

Eventful (1 Occurrence)

/e/eventful.htm - 6k

Even-time (4 Occurrences)
Even-time. Eventide, Even-time. Events . Multi-Version Concordance Even-time
(4 Occurrences). ... (YLT). Eventide, Even-time. Events . Reference Bible.
/e/even-time.htm - 7k

Despoil (13 Occurrences)
... Ammon shall obey them. (ASV). Isaiah 17:14 At eventide, behold, terror;
'and' before the morning they are not. This is the portion ...
/d/despoil.htm - 10k

Beak (2 Occurrences)
... Genesis 8:11 And the dove came to him at eventide; and behold, in her beak was an
olive-leaf plucked off; and Noah knew that the waters had become low on the ...
/b/beak.htm - 8k

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