A creation of God which marks the duration of life and which is measured by changes in the created order. The flow of time is directed by God who appoints particular “times” within his unfolding purposes. Because human life is brief, time should be used properly, making the most of every opportunity.
Time as a creation of God
Time began at creation
Genesis 1:5 See also 1 Corinthians 2:7
God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning — the first day.
Time is marked by change in the created order
Genesis 1:14 The main divisions of time were based upon the phases of the sun and moon. See also Psalm 104:19; Jeremiah 33:20
And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to distinguish between the day and the night, and let them be signs to mark the seasons and days and years.
The timelessness of God
Psalm 90:2 See also Genesis 1:1; Psalm 93:2; Proverbs 8:22–26; Habakkuk 1:12; John 1:1–2
Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.
God's perception of time
2 Peter 3:8 See also Psalm 90:4
Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
Measurement of time
Divisions of time
Genesis 1:8 A day was marked by the regular cycle of evening and morning; Numbers 28:14 Months were determined by the regular phases of the moon; 1 Kings 4:7 The year consisted of twelve lunar months; John 11:9 An hour was one twelfth of the period of daylight.
Indefinite periods of time
1 Samuel 1:22; Jeremiah 32:14; Luke 20:9; Acts 14:28, Acts 18:23
Recurring times and seasons
God's seasonal provision
Deuteronomy 11:14 See also Leviticus 26:4; Deuteronomy 28:12; Psalm 145:15–16; Jeremiah 5:24; Acts 14:17
then I will provide rain for your land in season, the autumn and spring rains, that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil.
Appointed times for festivals
Leviticus 23:4 See also Exodus 13:10, Exodus 23:15 parallel Exodus 34:18; Numbers 9:2–3
These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times.
A right time for every activity
Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 See also Ecclesiastes 3:11, Ecclesiastes 8:6; Jeremiah 8:7
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Times of human life in God's hands
Psalm 31:15, Psalm 139:16 See also Job 14:5; Daniel 2:21; Acts 17:26
My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be.
Appointed times within God's unfolding purpose
The time of fulfilment of promise
The time of Isaac's birth: Genesis 21:2; Romans 9:9; Luke 1:20 the time of John the Baptist's birth; Acts 7:17 the time of Israel's possession of the land
The time of Israel's deliverance
Psalm 102:13 See also Habakkuk 2:3, Habakkuk 3:16
You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor — the appointed time has come.
The time of Jesus Christ's coming
Galatians 4:2–4 See also Mark 1:15; Luke 19:44; 1 Timothy 2:6; Titus 1:3
He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
The time of Jesus Christ's death
John 12:23 See also Matthew 26:18; John 2:4, John 8:20, John 13:1; Romans 5:6; 1 Peter 1:11
But Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
The time of Jesus Christ's return
1 Corinthians 4:5 See also Matthew 24:36; Ephesians 1:10; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Timothy 6:15
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.
The time of God's judgment
Psalm 75:2; Ezekiel 7:7–8, Ezekiel 24:14; Zephaniah 2:2; Matthew 8:29; Revelation 11:18
The appointed time of the end
Daniel 8:19, Daniel 11:27, Daniel 11:29; Mark 13:32; Acts 1:6–7
The time between Jesus Christ's first and second coming
The time of salvation
2 Corinthians 6:2 The time of salvation lies between the two comings of Jesus Christ. See also Isaiah 49:8; Hebrews 11:13
For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!
The end times
Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:2; 1 Peter 1:20; 1 John 2:18
Proper use of time
Recognising the brevity of human life
Psalm 90:12 See also Psalm 39:4–6; Proverbs 27:1; James 4:14
So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.
Seeking God
Isaiah 55:6 See also Psalm 32:6, Psalm 69:13, Psalm 95:7–8; Ecclesiastes 12:1, Ecclesiastes 12:6–7
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
Looking to eternal realities
1 Corinthians 7:29–31 See also Psalm 10:6; Isaiah 56:12; Luke 12:16–21; Romans 13:11–12; James 5:7–9
What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing; and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
Making the most of opportunities
Colossians 4:5 See also Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 5:16
Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
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.