The concept of "night-watches" in the Bible refers to the division of the night into specific periods for the purpose of prayer, vigilance, or duty. This practice is rooted in both Jewish and early Christian traditions, where the night was divided into watches to ensure continuous prayer, protection, and readiness.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament Context:
· In the Old Testament, the night was typically divided into three watches. This division is evident in several passages. For instance, in Judges 7:19, Gideon and his men attacked the Midianite camp "at the beginning of the middle watch," indicating a structured division of the night.
· Psalm 63:6 reflects the practice of meditating on God during the night: "When I remember You on my bed, I think of You through the watches of the night." This verse highlights the spiritual discipline of seeking God during these quiet hours.

2. New Testament Context:
· By the time of the New Testament, the Roman influence had introduced a four-watch system, which is evident in the Gospels. Mark 13:35 mentions, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning."
· The night-watches were times of heightened spiritual alertness and readiness, as seen in Jesus' exhortation to His disciples to stay awake and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38-41).

Spiritual Significance:

Night-watches hold significant spiritual meaning in the biblical narrative. They are times set apart for prayer, reflection, and seeking God's presence. The quiet and solitude of the night provide an ideal setting for communion with God, free from the distractions of daily life. The practice of night-watches underscores the importance of vigilance and readiness in the believer's life, as well as the call to intercede for others.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient Israel, the division of the night into watches was not only a religious practice but also a practical necessity for security. Watchmen were stationed on city walls to guard against potential threats, as seen in Nehemiah 4:9, where the people of Jerusalem set a watch against their enemies day and night.

The early Christian community adopted the practice of night-watches as part of their spiritual discipline. The Didache, an early Christian document, suggests that believers pray the Lord's Prayer three times a day, which may have included times during the night.

Theological Implications:

Theologically, night-watches symbolize the believer's call to spiritual vigilance and perseverance. They remind Christians of the need to be spiritually awake and prepared for the return of Christ, as emphasized in the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). The night-watch serves as a metaphor for the Christian life, characterized by watchfulness, prayer, and anticipation of the Lord's coming.

In summary, night-watches in the Bible represent a disciplined approach to prayer and vigilance, deeply rooted in both Jewish and Christian traditions. They serve as a powerful reminder of the believer's call to remain spiritually alert and devoted to God, even in the quiet and solitude of the night.

LM Breviary. Night-Watches.
... SUPPLEMENT. 559. LM Breviary. Night-Watches. 1 Throughout the hours of
darkness dim, Still let us watch and raise the hymn; And ...
/.../559 l m breviary night-watches.htm

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
... Indeed, he means that the night has three watches, but he indicates by the expression
that there are night watches in heaven, as there are night watches upon ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/appendix 2 extracts from the.htm

Letter ix. Meditation.
... "I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night-watches." "Mine
eyes prevent the night-watches, that I might meditate in thy word." But, lest ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter ix meditation.htm

Imagination in Prayer
... and to Moses in the cleft of the rock; and to David in the nightwatches; and to ... thou
wilt know, of a truth, Who He is, that is with thee in the night-watches! ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xx imagination in prayer.htm

The Cities of Refuge: or, The Name of Jesus
... A SUNDAY BOOK FOR THE YOUNG. BY. REV. JOHN R. MACDUFF, DD, AUTHOR OF "MORNING AND
NIGHT WATCHES," "MEMORIES OF BETHANY," "MIND AND WORDS OF JESUS," ETC., ETC. ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/title page.htm

Memories of Bethany
... Title Page. MEMORIES OF BETHANY. By the. REV. JOHN R. MACDUFF, DD. Author of. "MORNING
AND NIGHT WATCHES," "WORDS OF JESUS," "MIND OF JESUS," "FOOTSTEPS OF ST. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/title page.htm

The Mind of Jesus
... Title Page. THE MIND OF JESUS. BY JOHN R. MACDUFF, DD. AUTHOR OF "MORNING AND NIGHT
WATCHES," "THE WORDS OF JESUS," "FAMILY PRAYER," "FOOTSTEPS OF ST. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/title page.htm

The Faithful Promiser
... By the Author of. "THE WORDS OF JESUS," "THE MORNING AND NIGHT WATCHES," ETC. "Whereby
are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises." -- 2 Pet. i.4. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the faithful promiser/title page.htm

Earnest Expostulation
... a folly common to mankind. The poet of the night-watches wrote,". All
men think all men mortal but themselves. As truly might I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/earnest expostulation.htm

Priest and victim
... No; but when conscience has been awakened, and has begun to speak; in the quiet
night watches, in times of sickness, or when you have seemed to be on the brink ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/priest and victim.htm

Night-watches (4 Occurrences)
Night-watches. Night-watch, Night-watches. Nile . Multi-Version
Concordance Night-watches (4 Occurrences). Luke 2:8 ...
/n/night-watches.htm - 7k

Watches (23 Occurrences)
... (WEB RSV). Psalms 63:6 when I remember you on my bed, and think about you in
the nightwatches. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/watches.htm - 14k

Meditate (37 Occurrences)
... YLT). Psalms 63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee
in the nightwatches. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/m/meditate.htm - 16k

Night-watch
Night-watch. Nightwatch, Night-watch. Night-watches . Int. ... See WATCH; TIME.
Nightwatch, Night-watch. Night-watches . Reference Bible.
/n/night-watch.htm - 6k

Night (3322 Occurrences)
... In Berakhoth 3b, Rabbi Nathan (2nd century) knows of only three night-watches; but
the patriarch, Rabbi Judah, knows four. See also DAY. Horace J. Wolf. NIGHT. ...
/n/night.htm - 15k

Lodging (24 Occurrences)
... Lodging (24 Occurrences). Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds in the same region,
lodging in the field, and keeping the night-watches over their flock, (YLT). ...
/l/lodging.htm - 14k

Forestalled (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Forestalled (1 Occurrence). Psalms 119:148 Mine eyes
anticipated the night-watches, That I might meditate on thy word. (See JPS). ...
/f/forestalled.htm - 6k

Flocks (128 Occurrences)
... Flocks (128 Occurrences). Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds in the same region,
lodging in the field, and keeping the night-watches over their flock, (See NIV). ...
/f/flocks.htm - 38k

Anticipated (4 Occurrences)
... I hoped in thy words. (ASV). Psalms 119:148 Mine eyes anticipated the
night-watches, That I might meditate on thy word. (ASV WBS). ...
/a/anticipated.htm - 7k

Anticipate (5 Occurrences)
... (Root in ASV DBY). Psalms 119:148 Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches,
That I might meditate on thy word. (Root in ASV DBY WBS NAS). ...
/a/anticipate.htm - 8k

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