Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, watchmen played a crucial role in the safety and security of cities and communities. They were stationed on city walls, towers, or other high places to keep watch for any approaching danger, such as invading armies or other threats. The role of a watchman was both physical and spiritual, as they were often seen as guardians who were responsible for warning the people of impending danger.Old Testament References The concept of watchmen is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. In Isaiah 21:6, the prophet is instructed, "For this is what the Lord says to me: 'Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.'" Here, the watchman is tasked with observing and reporting any signs of danger. Similarly, in Ezekiel 3:17, God appoints Ezekiel as a spiritual watchman for the house of Israel: "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me." The role of the watchman is further emphasized in Ezekiel 33:6, where the responsibility of the watchman is highlighted: "But if the watchman sees the sword coming and fails to blow the trumpet to warn the people, and the sword takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away in his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood." This passage underscores the serious duty of the watchman to alert the people to danger, as their failure to do so could result in dire consequences. Symbolic and Spiritual Significance Beyond their practical duties, watchmen also held symbolic and spiritual significance. They were often seen as representatives of spiritual vigilance and moral responsibility. In Isaiah 62:6-7, the watchmen are depicted as intercessors who continually pray for Jerusalem: "On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth." The watchmen's role as spiritual guardians is also evident in the Song of Solomon 3:3, where the watchmen are encountered during a search for the beloved: "I encountered the watchmen on their rounds of the city: 'Have you seen the one I love?'" New Testament Application While the specific term "watchman" is not as prevalent in the New Testament, the concept of vigilance and readiness is echoed in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In Matthew 24:42, Jesus instructs His disciples, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come." This call to spiritual alertness is akin to the watchman's duty to remain vigilant. The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of spiritual watchfulness in 1 Thessalonians 5:6: "So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober." This exhortation reflects the ongoing need for believers to be spiritually alert and prepared for the return of Christ. Conclusion The role of watchmen in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual vigilance and responsibility. Whether in the context of ancient Israel or the teachings of the New Testament, the watchman's duty to remain alert and warn others of impending danger is a timeless reminder of the importance of spiritual readiness and moral accountability. ATS Bible Dictionary WatchmenAre of as early a date as cities, robbers, and wars, Exodus 14:24 Jud 7:19. Jerusalem and other cities had regular guards night and day, So 3:1-3 5:7, to whose hourly cries Isaiah refers in illustration of the vigilance required by God in his ministers, Isaiah 21:8,11,12 62:6. At this day the watchmen of Jerusalem "keep not silence," nor do they "hold their peace day nor night;" especially at night and when danger is apprehended, they are required to call to each other every few minutes, and the cry passes from one to another entirely around the city walls. Those of Sidon also do the same. Watchmen always had a station at the gate of a city and in the adjacent tower, 2 Samuel 18:24-27 2 Kings 9:27; also on hill-tops overlooking a large circuit of terraced vineyards, whence they could "see eye to eye," and "lift up the voice" of warning or of cheer, Isaiah 52:7,8; and their responsible office, requiring so much vigilance and fidelity, illustrates that of prophets and ministers, Jeremiah 6:17 Ezekiel 33:1-9 Hebrews 13:17. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) Plural of Watchman.Strong's Hebrew 6822. tsaphah -- to look out or about, spy, keep watch... keep watch (3), lookout (1), looks well (1), spies (1), watch (3), watch expectantly (1), watched (1), watching (2), watchman (14), watchman's (1), watchmen (5 ... /hebrew/6822.htm - 6k 8104. shamar -- to keep, watch, preserve 5341. natsar -- to watch, guard, keep Library The Watchmen that Went About the City Found Me; they Smote Me ... The Watchmen that Go About the City Found Me, to whom I Said, Saw ... For a Meeting of Ministers. 1 Let Zion's Watchmen all Awake A Call to Prayer and Testimony A Consecrated Ministry The Real Presence, the Great Want of the Church The Ministry. Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount The Final Conflict and Heaven the Final Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying Thesaurus Watchmen (40 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Watchmen (40 Occurrences). Matthew 27:65 Pilate said to them, You have watchmen; go and make it as safe as you are able. (BBE). ... /w/watchmen.htm - 19k Watchmen's (4 Occurrences) Longs (11 Occurrences) Waits (21 Occurrences) Watchtower (9 Occurrences) Watches (23 Occurrences) Rounds (2 Occurrences) Bread-makers (2 Occurrences) Sentries (4 Occurrences) Post (26 Occurrences) Resources What are watchmen in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Book of Giants? | GotQuestions.org Who was King Joash in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Watchmen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Watchmen (40 Occurrences)Matthew 27:65 Matthew 27:66 Matthew 28:4 Matthew 28:11 Matthew 28:12 Acts 12:6 Acts 12:10 Acts 12:19 Judges 7:19 1 Samuel 14:16 2 Kings 11:18 2 Kings 17:9 2 Kings 18:8 2 Chronicles 23:18 Nehemiah 4:23 Nehemiah 7:3 Psalms 127:1 Psalms 130:6 Ecclesiastes 12:3 Song of Songs 3:3 Song of Songs 5:7 Isaiah 52:8 Isaiah 56:10 Isaiah 62:6 Jeremiah 4:17 Jeremiah 6:17 Jeremiah 31:6 Jeremiah 32:2 Jeremiah 32:8 Jeremiah 32:12 Jeremiah 33:1 Jeremiah 37:21 Jeremiah 38:6 Jeremiah 38:13 Jeremiah 38:28 Jeremiah 39:14 Jeremiah 39:15 Jeremiah 51:12 Ezekiel 27:11 Micah 7:4 Subtopics Watchmen in Time of Danger: Increase in Number Watchmen in Time of Danger: Reported the Approach of all Strangers Watchmen in Time of Danger: Sounded an Alarm at the Approach of Enemies Watchmen in Time of Danger: Vigilant Night and Day Watchmen were Relieved by Turns Watchmen were Stationed in the Streets of Cities Watchmen were Stationed: Around the Temple in Jerusalem on Special Occasions Watchmen were Stationed: On the Walls of Cities Watchmen were Stationed: On Watch Towers Watchmen: (Blind) of Careless Ministers Watchmen: (Looking for the Morning) of Anxious Waiting for God Watchmen: Citizens Sometimes Acted As Watchmen: Danger of Sleeping on Their Posts, Referred To Watchmen: Neglecting to Give Warning Punished With Death Watchmen: Often Interrogated by Passengers Watchmen: Paraded the Streets at Night to Preserve Order Watchmen: Soldiers Generally Acted As Watchmen: Vigilance of, Vain Without God's Protection Related Terms |
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