Topical Bible: Tonight

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the concept of "tonight" often signifies a specific period within the day, typically associated with the onset of darkness and the activities or events that occur during this time. The Bible frequently uses the night as a backdrop for divine encounters, significant events, and spiritual symbolism.

Biblical Events Occurring at Night

1. Passover Night: One of the most significant events in the Old Testament is the Passover, which took place at night. In Exodus 12:12, God declares, "On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD." This night marked the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

2. Jacob's Wrestling: In Genesis 32:24, Jacob wrestles with a mysterious man until daybreak. This event, occurring at night, is pivotal in Jacob's transformation and the renaming of Israel. The night becomes a time of struggle and divine encounter.

3. The Last Supper: The New Testament recounts the Last Supper, which took place at night. In Matthew 26:20, it is written, "When evening came, Jesus was reclining with the twelve disciples." This meal, held on the night before Jesus' crucifixion, is central to Christian faith as it institutes the practice of Communion.

Symbolism of Night

1. Darkness and Light: The Bible often contrasts night with day, using darkness as a metaphor for sin, ignorance, or evil, and light for righteousness, knowledge, or divine presence. In John 9:4, Jesus says, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work." Here, night symbolizes a time when opportunities for work and ministry are limited.

2. Watchfulness and Prayer: Nighttime is frequently associated with vigilance and prayer. Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, urges His disciples to stay awake and pray during the night (Matthew 26:40-41). This highlights the importance of spiritual alertness and readiness.

3. Divine Revelation: God often reveals Himself or His plans during the night. In Acts 16:9, Paul receives a vision at night, guiding him to preach in Macedonia. Night becomes a time when God communicates His will to His servants.

Practical Implications

For believers, the concept of "tonight" can serve as a reminder of the need for spiritual preparedness and the importance of seeking God's presence in times of darkness. It encourages Christians to remain vigilant, to pray, and to be open to divine guidance, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging. The biblical narrative demonstrates that God is active and present, even in the darkest of nights, offering hope and direction to those who seek Him.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (adv.) On this present or coming night.

2. (adv.) On the last night past.

3. (n.) The present or the coming night; the night after the present day.

Strong's Hebrew

3915. layil -- night
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition night NASB Word Usage midnight*
(6), night (200), nights (14), nocturnal (1), overnight* (2), tonight (10). ...
/hebrew/3915.htm - 6k

Library

Chapter ten
... in return. It would be difficult to know what was most powerful in the
impulse that had moved him to speak to her tonight. He had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter ten.htm

A Mob at Wednesbury
... with might and main, "The gentleman is an honest gentleman, and we will spill our
blood in his defense." I asked, "Shall we go to the justice tonight, or in ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/a mob at wednesbury.htm

Chapter eight
... But I came to ask if you could not come down tonight and preach. I am suffering
from a severe cold. ... I'm sure the Spirit will give you power tonight.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter eight.htm

The Lamb of God in Scripture
... Tonight I do not intend so much to preach a sermon as to urge those who have seen
the Lamb of God to look at him more intently, to study Him more, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 39 1893/the lamb of god in.htm

Chapter twenty-one
... I hope the Shadows of London' will be exciting tonight.". "The Shadows of Chicago,'"
murmured Felicia. ... You know we have a box with the Delanos tonight.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-one.htm

Be Ye Therefore Perfect, Even as Your Father which is in Heaven is ...
... Tonight my object is to mention some additional causes which prevent the great
body of Christians from attaining perfect sanctification. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be ye therefore perfect even 2.htm

Be Ye Doers of the Word, not Hearers Only, Deceiving Your Own ...
... Perhaps there are some present tonight of both these classes of hypocrites.
Now mark! I am not going to preach tonight to those ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be ye doers of the.htm

Chapter twenty-seven
... "Burns," he said, and he yearned over the men with an unspeakable longing for them
both, "if you and your friend here will go home with me tonight I will find ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-seven.htm

Timeliness in Doing Good.
... "If I should die tonight, My friends would call to mind with loving thought Some
kindly deed the icy hand had wrought, Some gentle word the frozen lips had said ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/timeliness in doing good.htm

Chapter thirty
... "I want to say that what Mr. Maxwell has said tonight comes pretty close to me.
I knew Jack Manning, the fellow he told about who died at his house. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter thirty.htm

Thesaurus

Tonight (23 Occurrences)
... 2. (adv.) On the last night past. 3. (n.) The present or the coming night; the night
after the present day. Multi-Version Concordance Tonight (23 Occurrences). ...
/t/tonight.htm - 13k

Love-fruits (3 Occurrences)
... and now would you take my son's love-fruits? Then Rachel said, You may have
him tonight in exchange for your son's love-fruits. (BBE). ...
/l/love-fruits.htm - 7k

Girl's (12 Occurrences)
... they had food and drink, the two of them together; and the girl's father said to
the man, If it is your pleasure, take your rest here tonight, and let your ...
/g/girl's.htm - 10k

Scattered (122 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because
of me tonight, for it is written,'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep ...
/s/scattered.htm - 39k

Written (323 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because
of me tonight, for it is written,'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep ...
/w/written.htm - 37k

Stumble (89 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because
of me tonight, for it is written,'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep ...
/s/stumble.htm - 34k

Strike (168 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because
of me tonight, for it is written,'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep ...
/s/strike.htm - 46k

To-night (15 Occurrences)
To-night. Tonight, To-night. Tonsures . Multi-Version Concordance To-night
(15 Occurrences). ... Tonight, To-night. Tonsures . Reference Bible.
/t/to-night.htm - 11k

Shepherd (76 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because
of me tonight, for it is written,'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep ...
/s/shepherd.htm - 42k

Relation (86 Occurrences)
... Ruth 3:2 And now, is there not Boaz, our relation, with whose young women you were?
See, tonight he is separating the grain from the waste in his grain-floor. ...
/r/relation.htm - 33k

Resources

What is the meaning of “where two or three are gathered” in Matthew 18:20? | GotQuestions.org

Is God sovereign or do we have a free will? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the phrase raising Cain? | GotQuestions.org

Tonight: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Tonight (23 Occurrences)

Matthew 26:31
Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written,'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
(WEB)

Matthew 26:34
Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."
(WEB)

Mark 14:27
Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written,'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'
(WEB)

Mark 14:30
Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you, that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."
(See NIV)

Luke 12:20
"But God said to him,'You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared-whose will they be?'
(WEB BBE)

Acts 23:23
He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, "Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen, and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night."
(See NIV)

Genesis 19:5
They called to Lot, and said to him, "Where are the men who came in to you this night? Bring them out to us, that we may have sex with them."
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 19:34
It came to pass on the next day, that the firstborn said to the younger, "Behold, I lay last night with my father. Let us make him drink wine again, tonight. You go in, and lie with him, that we may preserve our father's seed."
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:15
She said to her, "Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes, also?" Rachel said, "Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son's mandrakes."
(WEB BBE NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:16
In the evening, when Jacob came in from the field, Leah went out to him and said, Tonight you are to come to me, for I have given my son's love-fruits as a price for you. And he went in to her that night.
(BBE)

Numbers 22:8
And he said to them, Take your rest here tonight, and I will give you an answer after hearing what the Lord says; so the chiefs of Moab kept there with Balaam that night.
(BBE)

Numbers 22:19
Now therefore, please wait also here this night, that I may know what Yahweh will speak to me more."
(See NAS NIV)

Joshua 2:2
The king of Jericho was told, "Behold, men of the children of Israel came in here tonight to spy out the land."
(WEB BBE NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 4:3
and command them, saying,'Take from out of the middle of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging place, where you will lodge tonight.'"
(WEB BBE NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 19:6
So seating themselves they had food and drink, the two of them together; and the girl's father said to the man, If it is your pleasure, take your rest here tonight, and let your heart be glad.
(BBE NIV)

Ruth 1:12
Go back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say,'I have hope,' if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons;
(WEB BBE NAS NIV)

Ruth 3:2
Now isn't Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he winnows barley tonight in the threshing floor.
(WEB BBE NAS RSV NIV)

Ruth 3:13
Take your rest here tonight; and in the morning, if he will do for you what it is right for a relation to do, very well, let him do so: but if he will not, then by the living Lord I myself will do so.
(BBE)

1 Samuel 19:11
Saul sent messengers to David's house, to watch him, and to kill him in the morning. Michal, David's wife, told him, saying, "If you don't save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed."
(WEB BBE NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 17:1
Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 17:16
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying,'Don't lodge this night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.'"
(See RSV)

2 Samuel 19:7
So get up now, and go out and say some kind words to your servants; for, by the Lord, I give you my oath, that if you do not go out, not one of them will keep with you tonight; and that will be worse for you than all the evil which has overtaken you from your earliest years.
(BBE)

Isaiah 10:29
They have gone across the mountain; Geba will be our resting-place tonight, they say: Ramah is shaking with fear; Gibeah of Saul has gone in flight.
(BBE)

Subtopics

Tonight

Related Terms

To-night (15 Occurrences)

Love-fruits (3 Occurrences)

Girl's (12 Occurrences)

Scattered (122 Occurrences)

Written (323 Occurrences)

Stumble (89 Occurrences)

Lodge (64 Occurrences)

Strike (168 Occurrences)

Shepherd (76 Occurrences)