One twelfth of the period of daylight between sunrise and sunset. Measurement of time in biblical days was often approximate, referring most frequently to the broad divisions of time marked by the third, sixth and ninth hours. The term also denotes a significant or appointed moment or period of time, especially the hour of Jesus Christ's suffering and his return.
Hour as a period of time
A measured interval
John 11:9 See also Matthew 20:9–12 The working day lasted twelve hours; Luke 22:59; Acts 19:34; Revelation 8:1
Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? If anyone walks in the daytime, he will not stumble, because he sees by the light of this world.
Symbolising a brief time
Matthew 6:27 parallel Luke 12:25 See also Matthew 26:40 parallel Mark 14:37REV Mark 17:12, Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:17, Revelation 18:19
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Symbolising a significant period
Ecclesiastes 9:12 See also Luke 22:53 Darkness provides an hour of opportunity for the powers of evil.
For surely no man knows his time: Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds trapped in a snare, so men are ensnared in an evil time that suddenly falls upon them.
Hours denoting specific times of day
Matthew 20:3–5 The third, sixth and ninth hours marked the principal divisions of the day.
The third hour: 9 a.m
Mark 15:25 See also Acts 2:15
It was the third hour when they crucified Him.
The sixth hour: noon
John 4:6 See also Genesis 43:16; 1 Kings 18:27; Job 5:14; Matthew 27:45 parallels Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44
Since Jacob’s well was there, Jesus, weary from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
The ninth hour: 3 p.m
Matthew 27:46 parallel Mark 15:34 See also Acts 3:1, Acts 10:30
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Midnight
Exodus 11:4 See also Psalm 119:62; Matthew 25:6; Mark 13:35; Acts 16:25
So Moses declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt,
Other hours of the day
John 4:52 the seventh hour: 1 p.m; John 1:39 the tenth hour: 4 p.m; Matthew 20:6 the eleventh hour: 5 p.m.
A particular unnamed time of day
Matthew 8:13 See also Matthew 15:28; Luke 22:14; Acts 16:33; Revelation 11:13
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! As you have believed, so will it be done for you.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.
Hour as an appointed time in God's purpose
The hour of Jesus Christ's suffering
John 12:23–24 See also Matthew 26:45 parallel Mark 14:41; Mark 14:35; John 12:27
But Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.
The unexpected hour of Jesus Christ's return
Matthew 24:36 parallel Mark 13:32 See also Matthew 24:42–44 parallel Luke 12:39–40; Matthew 25:13
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
The time before Jesus Christ's return
Romans 13:11 See also 1 John 2:18
And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
The hour of God's judgment
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.