Reference: HOURS
American
The word hour, in Scripture, signifies one of the twelve equal parts into which each day, from sunrise to sunset, was divided, and which of course were of different lengths at different seasons of ht year, Mt 20:3-6; Joh 11:9. This mode of dividing the day prevailed among the Jews at least after the exile, and perhaps earlier, Da 3:6; 4:19. The third, sixth, and ninth hours were the appointed seasons for prayer, Ac 2:15; 3:1; 10:9. Anciently, however, the usual division of the day was into four parts, namely, the morning-the heat of the day, commencing about the middle of the forenoon-midday, and evening. In a similar manner, the Greeks appear at first to have divided the night also into three parts or watches, namely, the first watch, La 2:19; the middle, or second watch, Jg 7:19; and the morning, or third watch, Ex 14:24. But after the Jews became subject to the Romans, they adopted the Roman manner of dividing the night into four watches, namely, the evening, or first quarter, after sunset; the midnight; cock-crowing, or third quarter, from midnight on; and the morning, or fourth quarter, including the dawn, Mt 14:25; Mr 6:48; 13:35; Lu 12:48. A watch in the night seems but an instant to one who spends it in slumber, Ps 90:4; equally short does the life of man appear in view of eternity.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Just before dawn, Jehovah looked down from the column of fire and smoke and threw the Egyptian camp into a panic.
Gideon and the hundred men, who were with him, came to the outside of the camp. It was the beginning of the middle watch and they had just posted the new watch. They blew the trumpets, and broke the jars that were in their hands.
In your sight a thousand years are like a single day, like yesterday, already past like an hour in the night.
Rise up! Cry out in the night at the beginning of the night watches. Let your heart be flowing out like water before the face of Jehovah. Lift up your hands to him for the life of your young children who are falling down starving in every street.
Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the midst of a blazing furnace.
Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken dumb for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king said, Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or the interpretation trouble you. Belteshazzar answered: My lord, the dream may be to them that hate you and the interpretation to your adversaries.
Just before morning, Jesus walked to them on the water.
He went out the third hour and saw others in the marketplace doing nothing. He said to them: 'Go to the vineyard with the others. I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went to work. read more. He went out the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same. The eleventh hour, he saw others doing nothing. He asked: 'Why are you here all the day doing nothing?'
He saw that they were tired of rowing for the wind was against them. It was the fourth watch of the night. He walked on the sea and was about to pass them.
Watch therefore for you do not know when the lord of the house comes. It could be in the evening, at midnight or in the morning (when the cock crows).
He who did not know and did things unacceptable will receive a lesser punishment. To whom much is given, much will be required and to whom they commit much they will demand even more.
Jesus answered: Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walks in the day he does not stumble because he sees the light of this world.
These men are not drunk as you suppose for it is only nine o'clock in the morning.
Peter and John went up to the temple at the hour of prayer. It was the ninth hour.
The next day they journeyed to the city. As they drew near, Peter went to the housetop to pray. It was about the sixth hour.
Watsons
HOURS. See DAY.