Night

The period of darkness between evening and morning. It is generally a time for the cessation of daily activity and for sleep, but, because darkness also gives an opportunity for evil, there is need to be watchful. The term may also be used figuratively to refer to evil or to a period of distress. Night-time also provides opportunity for contemplation and for prayer.

Night distinguished from day

Genesis 1:5 See also Genesis 1:14–18; Psalm 74:16

God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning — the first day.

Night as a time for rest and sleep

Rest from daily activity

Judges 19:9; Ecclesiastes 2:23; John 9:4, John 11:9–10

Sleep

Genesis 15:12, Genesis 28:11; Job 4:13

Activity day and night implies continuity and commitment

The watches of the night

In OT times: three watches

Lamentations 2:19 the first watch: sunset to midnight; Judges 7:19 the second watch: midnight to 3 a.m; Exodus 14:24 the last watch: 3 a.m. to dawn

In NT times: four watches

Mark 13:35 See also Matthew 14:25 parallel Mark 6:48; Luke 12:38

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return — whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning.

Night associated with evil

The period when evil is at work

John 13:30 Night symbolises the darkness in Judas' soul, and denotes, too, the time of activity of the powers of darkness. See also Job 30:26; Proverbs 4:19; Luke 22:53

As soon as he had received the morsel, Judas went out into the night.

Opportunity for evil

1 Corinthians 4:5 Evil flourishes under cover of darkness. See also Proverbs 2:13; John 3:19–20; Job 24:14 Murder; Proverbs 7:8–9 Adultery; 1 Thessalonians 5:7 Drunkenness; Jeremiah 49:9 parallel Obadiah 1:5 Theft

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Believers do not belong to the night

1 Thessalonians 5:5 See also John 12:35–36; Romans 13:12; Ephesians 5:8; Colossians 1:13

For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

Believers are to remain watchful

1 Thessalonians 5:6 See also Matthew 24:42–44, Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:36–37

So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.

Night associated with distress

Gloom caused by distress

Psalm 107:13–14; Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 59:9

Night as a time of weeping

Psalm 6:6, Psalm 30:5; Lamentations 1:2

Night as an opportunity to seek God

In prayer

Luke 6:12 See also 1 Samuel 15:11; Psalm 22:2, Psalm 119:62

In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.

In worship

Acts 16:25 See also Job 35:10; Psalm 42:8, Psalm 77:6, Psalm 139:1–2, Psalm 149:5; Isaiah 30:29

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

In contemplation

Psalm 63:6 See also Psalm 119:55; Isaiah 26:9

When I remember You on my bed, I think of You through the watches of the night.

Night as an opportunity to receive revelation

God's voice at night

1 Samuel 3:4

God's revelation through visions

2 Chronicles 7:12; Daniel 2:19, Daniel 7:2; Zechariah 1:8; Acts 18:9, Acts 23:11