A person stationed on the highest part of a city wall to warn inhabitants of an approaching enemy or messenger; also a person who kept watch over pastures, vineyards and sheep. The OT prophets were spiritual watchmen, warning the people of Israel of God's judgment.
Watchmen stationed on the highest part of a city wall
To warn inhabitants of an approaching enemy
2 Kings 9:17 See also 1 Samuel 14:16; 2 Samuel 13:34; Psalm 127:1, Psalm 130:6; Song of Solomon 3:3, Song of Solomon 5:7; Jeremiah 51:12
Now the watchman standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, and he called out, “I see a company of troops!” “Choose a rider,” Joram commanded. “Send him out to meet them and ask, ‘Have you come in peace?’”
To give notice of approaching messengers
2 Samuel 18:24–27 See also 2 Kings 9:18, 2 Kings 9:20; Isaiah 21:6, Isaiah 21:8, Isaiah 52:8
Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone. So he called out and told the king. “If he is alone,” the king replied, “he bears good news.” As the first runner drew near, the watchman saw another man running, and he called out to the gatekeeper, “Look! Another man is running alone!” “This one also brings good news,” said the king. The watchman said, “The first man appears to me to be running like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.” “This is a good man,” said the king. “He comes with good news.”
Watchmen stationed on towers in pastures and vineyards to guard against thieves
2 Chronicles 26:10; Isaiah 27:3; Micah 4:8
Watchmen stationed on hills
Jeremiah 31:6 This was to give notice of the various phases of the moon in order to fix the times for the most important festivals.
Watchmen who guarded sheep
The OT prophets were spiritual watchmen warning the people of Israel of God's judgment
Jeremiah 6:17 See also Isaiah 21:11–12, Isaiah 56:10, Isaiah 62:6; Ezekiel 3:17, Ezekiel 33:2, Ezekiel 33:6–7; Hosea 9:8; Habakkuk 2:1
I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’
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.