The term "meridian" is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible; however, it is often associated with the concept of midday or noon, which is a significant time marker in biblical narratives. The meridian, or the highest point of the sun in the sky, symbolizes the peak of daylight and is often used metaphorically to represent clarity, revelation, and divine intervention.

Biblical References to Noon

1. Genesis 18:1 · "Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day." This passage describes a divine encounter occurring at midday, a time when the sun is at its zenith, symbolizing the fullness of God's revelation to Abraham.

2. 1 Kings 18:26-29 · The account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel takes place around noon. The prophets of Baal call upon their god from morning until noon without success. Elijah then mocks them, suggesting that their god might be busy or asleep. This narrative highlights the futility of idolatry and the power of the true God, with the time of day underscoring the clarity and truth of God's supremacy.

3. Acts 22:6 · "About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me." The Apostle Paul recounts his conversion experience, which occurred at midday. The brightness of the light surpassing the sun at its meridian symbolizes the overwhelming presence and revelation of Christ to Paul.

Symbolism of Noon in Scripture

In biblical literature, noon often represents a time of decision, revelation, and divine action. The brightness and clarity associated with the sun at its meridian serve as metaphors for God's truth and righteousness. The imagery of light and midday is frequently used to contrast the darkness of sin and ignorance, emphasizing the transformative power of God's presence.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, the meridian was a practical time marker for daily activities. It was a time when people sought shade and rest due to the intense heat. This cultural understanding is reflected in various biblical narratives where significant events occur at midday, highlighting the importance of divine encounters and revelations during this time.

Theological Implications

The use of midday or the meridian in biblical texts underscores the theme of divine intervention and revelation. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the clarity that comes with His presence. The meridian, as a symbol of light and truth, calls believers to seek God's guidance and to walk in the light of His word.

In summary, while the term "meridian" itself is not found in the Bible, its conceptual significance is woven throughout the scriptures, illustrating moments of divine revelation and the clarity of God's truth.1. (a.) Being at, or pertaining to, midday; belonging to, or passing through, the highest point attained by the sun in his diurnal course.

2. (a.) Pertaining to the highest point or culmination; as, meridian splendor.

3. (a.) Midday; noon.

4. (a.) Hence: The highest point, as of success, prosperity, or the like; culmination.

5. (n.) A great circle of the sphere passing through the poles of the heavens and the zenith of a given place. It is crossed by the sun at midday.

6. (n.) A great circle on the surface of the earth, passing through the poles and any given place; also, the half of such a circle included between the poles.

Concerning Mar Jacob and his Companions
... 8. Three figures the Sun also, shows forth in the three quarters:"its rising is
keen and bright; its meridian strong and overpowering;"and like a torch ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiii concerning mar jacob.htm

The Horoscope the Foundation of Astrology; Indiscoverability of ...
... Whence, if the horoscope be removed, it necessarily follows that neither any celestial
object is recognisable in the meridian, or at the horizon, or in the ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter iii the horoscope the foundation.htm

The Peratic Heresy Nominally Different from Astrology, but Really ...
... Since, then, astrologers are acquainted with the horoscope, and meridian, and setting,
and the point opposite the meridian; and since these stars occupy at ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter x the peratic heresy nominally.htm

The Righteousness of Christ, an Everlasting Righteousness
... If the sun from midnight darkness, was immediately to shine forth in his full meridian
blaze, his great splendor would be apt to dazzle our eyes, and strike us ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the righteousness of christ an.htm

Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair ...
... But as she'll stand another day,. Fairer than sun's meridian ray.". ... Holy as the Holy
One. "Oh, the heights and depths of grace,. Shining with meridian blaze; ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/fragrant spices from the mountains.htm

Israel and Britain. A Note of Warning
... was it alone grievous that Israel sinned against the light which shone in Isaiah's
testimony; but, alas, she closed her eyes against the meridian splendour of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/israel and britain a note.htm

section i.
... I am no Plant that will not prosper out of a Garden. All places, all airs, make
unto me one Countrey; I am in England every where, and under any Meridian. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section i 2.htm

Entire Sanctification in Patriarchal Times.
... man has been progressive, first just a few faint streaks of light that usher in
the dawn, then broad daylight and sunrise, and finally the meridian splendor of ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iii entire sanctification in.htm

Justice and the Reason of Effects
... with change in climate. Three degrees of latitude reverse all jurisprudence;
a meridian decides the truth. Fundamental laws change ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section v justice and the.htm

The Gethsemane Prayer
... His sacerdotal prayer, so exquisite in its tranquil flow, so unruffled in its strong,
deep current, is like the sun, moving in meridian, unsullied glory ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/xii the gethsemane prayer.htm

Meridian (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Pertaining to the highest point or culmination; as, meridian splendor. 3.
(a.) Midday; noon. ... Multi-Version Concordance Meridian (1 Occurrence). ...
/m/meridian.htm - 7k

Day (17670 Occurrences)
... It is measured by the interval between two successive transits of a celestial body
over the same meridian, and takes a specific name from that of the body. ...
/d/day.htm - 70k

Midheaven (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The midst or middle of heaven or the sky. 2. (n.) The meridian, or middle
line of the heavens; the point of the ecliptic on the meridian. ...
/m/midheaven.htm - 7k

Battle (282 Occurrences)
... of Gibeon it must have been about to set, which would imply that it was about half
full, in its "third quarter," the sun being, as we have seen, on the meridian...
/b/battle.htm - 55k

Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)
... of Gibeon it must have been about to set, which would imply that it was about half
full, in its "third quarter," the sun being, as we have seen, on the meridian...
/b/bethhoron.htm - 30k

Beth-horon (12 Occurrences)
... of Gibeon it must have been about to set, which would imply that it was about half
full, in its "third quarter," the sun being, as we have seen, on the meridian...
/b/beth-horon.htm - 30k

Noon (30 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) No. See No. 2. (n.) The middle of the day; midday;
the time when the sun is in the meridian; twelve o'clock in the daytime. ...
/n/noon.htm - 16k

North (164 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That one of the four cardinal points of the compass, at any place, which
lies in the direction of the true meridian, and to the left hand of a person ...
/n/north.htm - 43k

Low (216 Occurrences)
... of the heavenly bodies with reference to the diurnal revolution; as, the moon runs
low, that is, is comparatively near the horizon when on or near the meridian...
/l/low.htm - 39k

Inferior (14 Occurrences)
... conjunction of Mercury or Venus. 4. (a.) Below the horizon; as, the inferior
part of a meridian. 5. (a.) Situated below some other ...
/i/inferior.htm - 11k

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