Topical Bible: Darkness: Called Night

◄ Darkness: Called Night ►

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In the biblical narrative, darkness is often associated with the absence of light and is frequently used to symbolize ignorance, evil, and judgment. However, it also serves a practical and natural purpose as the period known as night. The concept of night is introduced early in the Scriptures, establishing a rhythm of time that is foundational to the biblical worldview.

Creation and Order

The account of creation in Genesis sets the stage for understanding darkness as night. Genesis 1:4-5 states, "God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day,' and the darkness He called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." Here, night is established as part of the divine order, a necessary counterpart to day, marking the passage of time and the cycle of creation.

Symbolism and Meaning

Throughout the Bible, night often carries symbolic meaning. It is a time when evil deeds are done under the cover of darkness, as seen in John 3:19-20 : "And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." Night, in this context, represents moral and spiritual darkness, a time when sin is prevalent.

Divine Judgment and Protection

Night is also depicted as a time of divine judgment and protection. In Exodus 12:29-30 , the final plague on Egypt occurs at night: "Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well." Here, night becomes a backdrop for God's decisive action against the oppressors of His people.

Conversely, night is a time when God provides protection and guidance. In Psalm 91:5-6 , the psalmist assures, "You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the calamity that destroys at noon." This passage highlights God's protective presence, even in the darkest times.

Spiritual Vigilance

The New Testament encourages believers to remain spiritually vigilant, using night as a metaphor for the present age. Romans 13:12 exhorts, "The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." Here, night symbolizes the current world system, which is passing away, urging believers to live in anticipation of Christ's return.

Eschatological Hope

Finally, the Bible presents an eschatological hope where night will be no more. Revelation 22:5 promises, "There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever." In the new creation, the distinction between day and night will be transcended, as God's presence will provide eternal light.

In summary, while darkness as night serves a practical function in the biblical narrative, it also carries deep symbolic meanings, representing both the challenges of the present age and the hope of a future where God's light reigns supreme.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 1:5
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Six Days' Work Described.
... for man. "And God divided the light from the darkness; and God called the
light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And the evening ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xi the six days work.htm

The Complement of Genesis.
... Sun to govern the day (i.16). No need of the sun (xxx.23). Darkness called night
(i.5). "No night there" (xxii.5). Waters called seas (i.10). ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the complement of genesis.htm

Concerning Light, Fire, the Luminaries, Sun, Moon and Stars.
... displaying their native beauty. And God called the light day, but the darkness
He called night [1714] . Further, darkness is not ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter vii concerning light fire the.htm

John Chapter ix
... Him; and without Him was nothing made." [826] "God divided between the light and
the darkness: the light He called Day, and the darkness He called Night." [827 ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xliv john chapter ix.htm

"If we Say that we have no Sin, we Deceive Ourselves, and the ...
... But though it be called night in one sense, in regard of ... perpetual day in heaven,
yet they are called the children ... though there is a mixture of darkness in them ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi if we say.htm

Basil -- the Creation of the World
... "And God called the light day, and the darkness he called night." Since the birth
of the sun, the light that it diffuses in the air when shining on our ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/basil the creation of.htm

Psalm LXVII.
... see the works of God: God made light, [2677] and God made a division between light
and darkness: the light He called day, and the darkness He called night. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxvii.htm

The Story of Creation
... darkness. And God called the light Day and the darkness Night. And there
was an evening and a morning, making the first day. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the story of creation.htm

the Night of the Soul
... part with my reasonable wish, and have called me their ... the same sign as on the previous
night, of my ... allowed my soul to be overwhelmed with darkness, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/chapter ix - the night.htm

A Night to be Remembered
... the darkness that might be felt, the thick darkness of evil ... to hear how the rest
of that night he began ... but he explained to her that the Lord had called him to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxxix a night to.htm