Even; Evening; Eventide
The Evening in Biblical Timekeeping
In the biblical worldview, evening (Hebrew 'erebh) marks the beginning of the day, not its end. This is established from the opening chapter of Genesis, where the creation pattern is repeatedly described as "and there was evening, and there was morning—the first day" (Genesis 1:5). This structure defines the Hebrew day as running from sunset to sunset. Key religious observances were tied to this timing; for instance, the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed at twilight (Exodus 12:6), and the Day of Atonement's rituals concluded at evening (Leviticus 23:32).
Key Hebrew Terms and Their Meanings
The primary Hebrew term, 'erebh, carries a range of meanings depending on context. It can refer specifically to sunset, the period of twilight, or the early part of the night. A notable phrase is ben ha-'arbayim ("between the two evenings"), used in Exodus 30:8 and for setting the time of the Passover sacrifice. Scholars debate whether this refers to the time between sunset and full darkness or between the sun's decline and its actual setting. Another term, nesheph, is used for twilight or dusk, often evoking a sense of fading light (2 Kings 7:5, 7; Job 24:15).
Evening in Narrative and Poetry
Biblical narratives frequently use evening as a setting for significant events. It is a time for return from labor (Ruth 3:13), for drawing water (Genesis 24:11), and for prophetic visions (Daniel 9:21). It can also be a time of vulnerability or moral testing, as seen in David's fateful walk on his palace roof at eventide (2 Samuel 11:2). In poetry and prophecy, evening symbolizes transition, the end of a period, or impending judgment. Jeremiah warns that disaster comes "at evening time" (Jeremiah 6:4), and Zephaniah describes Jerusalem's leaders as "evening wolves" (Zephaniah 3:3). Conversely, it can also be a time for hope, as in the promise that "weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).
Evening in the New Testament
The New Testament continues to use evening as a meaningful time marker. The Greek term opsia is used for "late" or "evening." Significant events occur at this hour, including Jesus' healing ministry (Mark 1:32) and the evening meal on the day of his resurrection (Luke 24:29-30). The latter instance, where the disciples urge Jesus to stay with them as the day is nearly over, underscores evening as a time for hospitality, revelation, and recognition of Christ's presence.
Ritual and Symbolic Significance
Evening was integral to Israel's worship. The tamid, or continual offering, included a lamb sacrificed each evening (Exodus 29:38-39). The lighting of the temple's golden lampstand at evening symbolized God's continual presence (Exodus 27:20-21). Symbolically, evening represents a boundary, a liminal space between the clarity of day and the obscurity of night. It points to completion (as in the Genesis creation account) and anticipates a new beginning. In the Christian tradition, evening services (Vespers) carry forward this sense of reflection, thanksgiving, and anticipation of Christ as the "light shining in the darkness" (John 1:5).
Biblical Context
The concept of evening appears throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. It is foundational to the creation narrative (Genesis 1). It structures the liturgical calendar in the Torah (Exodus, Leviticus) and is a common setting for narratives in historical books (Ruth, 2 Samuel). Poets and prophets use it metaphorically (Psalms, Jeremiah). In the New Testament, it marks key moments in Jesus' ministry (Mark, Luke) and appears in apocalyptic imagery (Revelation). Its primary role is as a divinely ordained temporal marker that shapes worship, narrates key events, and carries symbolic weight.
Theological Significance
Evening teaches about God's orderly design for time, where each day begins with rest (night) before activity (day), emphasizing dependence on God. It marks moments of divine-human encounter, such as God walking in the garden (Genesis 3:8) or visiting Abraham (Genesis 18:1-2). It symbolizes the transition from old to new, from completion to expectation. Theologically, evening can represent a period of waiting, testing, or obscurity before the dawn of God's salvation—a theme fulfilled in Christ, whose death occurred in daytime darkness but whose resurrection brought the light of a new creation.
Historical Background
Ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel's neighbors, also observed sunset as a significant daily transition. The Babylonian day began at sunset, influencing Hebrew practice. The difficulty of precisely measuring time before clocks made natural markers like sunset crucial for communal coordination. The phrase "between the two evenings" likely reflects a specific, culturally understood interval in the twilight period important for synchronizing ritual acts like the Passover sacrifice. Archaeological evidence, such as sundials and references in texts like the Mishnah, confirms the importance of evening as a defined time for legal and religious purposes in Second Temple Judaism.