NIGHT (Heb. לַ֫יְלָה, H4326, night; חֹ֫שֶׁכְ, H3125, darkness; נֶ֫שֶׁף, H5974, twilight; עֶ֫רֶב֮, H6847, evening; Gr. νύξ, G3816, night). In the beginning by the creative word of God, light was divided from darkness, and the succession of day and night began (Gen 1:3-5). This temporal meaning of the word “night” is the most common throughout the Bible. In the OT the night was divided into three “watches” for the night guard of soldiers and shepherds. The first watch was from sunset to 10 p.m. (Lam 2:19); the second from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. (Judg 7:19); and the third or morning watch from 2 a.m. until sunrise (Exod 14:24; 1 Sam 11:11). In the NT the division is into four watches according to the Rom. custom (Matt 14:25; Mark 6:48; 13:35; Luke 12:38).

In addition to this natural use, the term night is used widely in Scripture for that which is spiritually dark and contrary to the light of God’s love and righteousness.

1. It is used as a symbol of the darkness of men’s minds, the ignorance and confusion of men’s hearts when God is shut out (Mic 3:6; John 11:10). Judas, turning from Jesus’ love to betray Him, went out “and it was night” (John 13:30).

2. Christians are reminded that they have come out of this darkness and are now sons of the light and the day and no longer belong to the night (1 Thess 5:4-8).

3. This present evil age in which sin and Satan reign is the nighttime of the world which will be shattered by the return of Christ (1 Thess 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10). This is the Christian’s hope and comfort (Rom 13:12) and the most eloquent description of the glorious age to come is that “there shall be no night there” (Rev 21:25; 22:5).

4. The visitation of God’s judgment also is described as night, when the light of His presence is turned from the earth and the wrath of God is turned upon sin (Isa 15:1; 21:11, 12).

5. Night is also the time of pain and sorrow and suffering for the individual (Job 7:4; Ps 30:5), but “joy comes in the morning” (30:5). Even in such times we are not hidden from God’s care (139:11, 12) and in His grace He gives “songs in the night” (Job 35:10; Ps 42:8).