Watches of the Night
Watches of the Night
The Jews reckoned three military watches: the “first” or beginning of the watches (Lam 2:19), from sunset to ten o’clock; the second or “middle watch” was from ten until two o’clock (Jdg 7:19); the third, “the morning watch,” from two to sunrise (Exo 14:24; 1Sa 11:11). Afterward under the Romans they had four watches (Mat 14:25): Luk 12:38, “even, midnight, cockcrowing, and morning” (Mar 13:35); ending respectively at 9 p.m., midnight, 3 a.m., and 6 a.m. (compare Act 12:4.) Watchmen patrolled the streets (Son 3:3; Son 5:7; Psa 127:1).
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Watches of the Night
Watches of the Night. The original division of the night was into three watches”the beginning of the watches,” from sunset to 10 o’clock, Lam 2:19; “the middle watch,” from 10 to 2 o’clock, Jdg 7:19; and “the morning watch,” from 2 o’clock to sunrise, Exo 14:24; 1Sa 11:11but after the captivity the Jews adopted the custom of Rome and Greece, which divided the twelve hours of the night into four watches, beginning with 6 in the afternoon”even,” from 6 to 9 o’clock; “midnight,” from 9 to 12; “cock-crowing,” from 12 to 3; and “morning,” from 3 to 6. Mat 14:25; Mar 13:35; Luk 12:38.