Jump to: ATS • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terminology, the concept of "watch" encompasses both a physical and spiritual vigilance. The term is used in various contexts throughout Scripture, often signifying the act of staying awake, being alert, or maintaining a state of readiness. This entry explores the multifaceted use of "watch" in the Bible, drawing from the Berean Standard Bible for scriptural references.Old Testament Usage In the Old Testament, "watch" frequently refers to the act of keeping guard or being on the lookout for potential threats. The Hebrew word "shamar" is often translated as "watch" and implies guarding or protecting. For instance, in 2 Kings 11:6, the guards are instructed to "watch over the king's house," highlighting the importance of vigilance in safeguarding important figures and places. The concept of watchfulness is also evident in the division of the night into watches. In Lamentations 2:19, the prophet urges, "Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches; pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord." Here, the "watches" refer to specific times during the night when individuals were expected to be particularly alert, often for prayer or protection. New Testament Usage In the New Testament, the Greek word "gregoreo" is commonly used, meaning to be awake or vigilant. Jesus frequently admonishes His disciples to "watch" as a spiritual discipline. In Matthew 26:41, He instructs them, "Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak." This highlights the necessity of spiritual alertness to resist temptation and maintain faithfulness. The theme of watchfulness is also prominent in eschatological teachings. In Matthew 24:42, Jesus warns, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come." This call to vigilance underscores the unpredictability of the Second Coming and the need for constant readiness. Spiritual Significance Watchfulness in the Bible is not merely a physical act but carries deep spiritual significance. It is often associated with prayer, as seen in Colossians 4:2: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Here, watchfulness is linked with a prayerful attitude, suggesting that spiritual alertness is essential for a robust prayer life. Moreover, watchfulness is a characteristic of a faithful servant. In Luke 12:37, Jesus states, "Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns." This parable emphasizes the reward for those who remain vigilant and faithful in their duties, awaiting the return of their master. Moral and Ethical Implications The call to watchfulness extends to moral and ethical living. Believers are urged to be watchful over their conduct and the influences they allow into their lives. In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul exhorts, "Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong." This passage encourages believers to maintain a vigilant stance against false teachings and moral compromise. Conclusion The biblical concept of "watch" serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual vigilance and readiness. It calls believers to a life of alertness, prayer, and ethical integrity, ever mindful of the return of Christ and the spiritual battles that surround them. ATS Bible Dictionary WatchA division of the night. See HOURS. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of watching; forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful, vigilant, or constantly observant attention; close observation; guard; preservative or preventive vigilance; formerly, a watching or guarding by night.2. (n.) One who watches, or those who watch; a watchman, or a body of watchmen; a sentry; a guard. 3. (n.) The post or office of a watchman; also, the place where a watchman is posted, or where a guard is kept. 4. (n.) The period of the night during which a person does duty as a sentinel, or guard; the time from the placing of a sentinel till his relief; hence, a division of the night. 5. (n.) A small timepiece, or chronometer, to be carried about the person, the machinery of which is moved by a spring. 6. (n.) An allotted portion of time, usually four hour for standing watch, or being on deck ready for duty. Cf. Dogwatch. 7. (n.) That part, usually one half, of the officers and crew, who together attend to the working of a vessel for an allotted time, usually four hours. The watches are designated as the port watch, and the starboard watch. 8. (v. i.) To be awake; to be or continue without sleep; to wake; to keep vigil. 9. (v. i.) To be attentive or vigilant; to give heed; to be on the lookout; to keep guard; to act as sentinel. 10. (v. i.) To be expectant; to look with expectation; to wait; to seek opportunity. 11. (v. i.) To remain awake with any one as nurse or attendant; to attend on the sick during the night; as, to watch with a man in a fever. 12. (v. i.) To serve the purpose of a watchman by floating properly in its place; -- said of a buoy. 13. (v. t.) To give heed to; to observe the actions or motions of, for any purpose; to keep in view; not to lose from sight and observation; as, to watch the progress of a bill in the legislature. 14. (v. t.) To tend; to guard; to have in keeping. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia MORNING WATCHash-moreth ha-boker (Exodus 14:24 1 Samuel 11:11); in Judith 12:5 for heothine phulake; compare Sirach 55:6; 1 Maccabees 5:30): The last portion of the night. WATCH woch ('ashmurah, 'ashmoreth; phulake): A division of the night. The night was originally divided into three watches (Judges 7:19), but later into four, as we find in the New Testament (Matthew 14:25 Mark 6:48). We do not know the limits of the watches in the first division, but the middle watch probably began two hours before midnight and ended two hours after. The fourfold division was according to the Roman system, each of which was a fourth part of the night. Greek 3906. paratereo -- to watch closely, to observe scrupulously ... to watch closely, to observe scrupulously. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: paratereo Phonetic Spelling: (par-at-ay-reh'-o) Short Definition: I watch ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3906.htm - 7k 1127. gregoreo -- to be awake, to watch 5083. tereo -- to watch over, to guard 5442. phulasso -- to guard, watch 5438. phulake -- a guarding, guard, watch 69. agrupneo -- to be sleepless, wakeful 4328. prosdokao -- to await, expect 2892. koustodia -- a guard 3708. horao -- to see, perceive, attend to 3525. nepho -- to be sober, to abstain from wine Strong's Hebrew 821. ashmoreth -- a watch... 820, 821. ashmoreth or ashmurah. 822 . a watch. Transliteration: ashmoreth or ashmurah Phonetic Spelling: (ash-moo-raw') Short Definition: watch. ... /hebrew/821.htm - 6k 6822. tsaphah -- to look out or about, spy, keep watch 8245. shaqad -- to watch, wake 4931. mishmereth -- a guard, watch, charge, function 4929. mishmar -- place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch ... 8104. shamar -- to keep, watch, preserve 8108. shomrah -- a guard, watch 5341. natsar -- to watch, guard, keep 6974. quts -- arise, be awake, watch 4675. mitstsabah -- perhaps a guard, watch Library Watch-Night Service Note on the Morning Watch. The Night Watch The Last Watch of the Night And in the Fourth Watch of the Night Jesus came unto Them... "And Watch unto Prayer. " "Watch with Me," the Master Said, Watch and Pray. --Mark. xiv. 38 Habakkuk-On his Watch-Tower "Again, I Say --Watch!" Thesaurus Watch (203 Occurrences)... guarding by night. 2. (n.) One who watches, or those who watch; a watchman, or a body of watchmen; a sentry; a guard. 3. (n.) The ... /w/watch.htm - 40k Watch-tower (6 Occurrences) Watch-night (1 Occurrence) Watch-posts (1 Occurrence) Night-watch Morning-watch (2 Occurrences) Watch-towers (1 Occurrence) Mountain-watch (1 Occurrence) Watch-tour Watches (23 Occurrences) Resources Should a Christian watch scary movies/horror movies? | GotQuestions.orgIs it a sin for a Christian to go to a strip club or to watch strippers? | GotQuestions.org Keep Watch ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org Watch: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Watch (203 Occurrences)Matthew 6:28 Matthew 7:15 Matthew 10:17 Matthew 14:25 Matthew 16:6 Matthew 24:42 Matthew 24:43 Matthew 25:13 Matthew 26:38 Matthew 26:40 Matthew 26:41 Matthew 27:36 Matthew 27:54 Matthew 27:65 Matthew 27:66 Matthew 28:11 Mark 6:20 Mark 6:48 Mark 8:15 Mark 12:38 Mark 13:9 Mark 13:23 Mark 13:33 Mark 13:34 Mark 13:35 Mark 13:37 Mark 14:34 Mark 14:37 Mark 14:38 Luke 2:8 Luke 6:7 Luke 11:21 Luke 11:35 Luke 12:37 Luke 12:38 Luke 12:39 Luke 17:20 Luke 21:8 Luke 21:36 John 17:12 Acts 9:24 Acts 12:4 Acts 12:6 Acts 20:31 Acts 22:26 Acts 28:16 Romans 16:17 1 Corinthians 16:13 2 Corinthians 11:32 Galatians 5:15 Galatians 6:1 Ephesians 5:15 Ephesians 6:18 Philippians 3:2 Colossians 4:2 1 Thessalonians 5:6 2 Timothy 4:5 2 Timothy 4:15 Hebrews 13:17 1 Peter 1:13 1 Peter 2:25 1 Peter 4:7 1 Peter 5:8 2 John 1:8 Revelation 3:2 Revelation 3:3 Genesis 21:16 Genesis 28:20 Genesis 30:31 Genesis 31:49 Genesis 37:12 Exodus 14:24 Exodus 21:29 Exodus 21:36 Exodus 34:12 Leviticus 8:35 Leviticus 19:18 Deuteronomy 4:9 Deuteronomy 4:15 Deuteronomy 4:23 Deuteronomy 6:12 Deuteronomy 24:8 Joshua 10:18 Joshua 23:11 Judges 7:17 Judges 7:19 Judges 9:32 Judges 21:21 1 Samuel 6:9 1 Samuel 11:11 1 Samuel 19:11 1 Samuel 22:13 1 Samuel 25:13 1 Samuel 26:15 1 Samuel 26:16 2 Samuel 11:16 2 Samuel 13:5 2 Samuel 13:34 1 Kings 2:4 1 Kings 8:25 Subtopics Related Terms |
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