Reference: Watches
Easton
the periods into which the time between sunset and sunrise was divided. They are so called because watchmen relieved each other at each of these periods. There are frequent references in Scripture to the duties of watchmen who were appointed to give notice of the approach of an enemy (2Sa 18:24-27; 2Ki 9:17-20; Isa 21:5-9). They were sometimes placed for this purpose on watch-towers (2Ki 17:9; 18:8). Ministers or teachers are also spoken of under this title (Jer 6:17; Eze 33:2-9; Heb 13:17).
The watches of the night were originally three in number, (1) "the beginning of the watches" (La 2:19); (2) "the middle watch" (Jg 7:19); and (3) "the morning watch" (Ex 14:24; 1Sa 11:11), which extended from two o'clock to sunrise. But in the New Testament we read of four watches, a division probably introduced by the Romans (Mt 14:25; Mr 6:48; Lu 12:38). (See Day.)
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And it came to pass that in the morning watch the LORD looked at the camp of the Egyptians in the pillar of fire and of cloud and troubled the camp of the Egyptians
So Gideon and the hundred men that were with him came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch when only the guards were awake, and they blew the shofarot and broke the pitchers that were in their hands.
And David sat between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall and lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold a man running alone. And the watchman cried and told the king. And the king said, If he is alone, he brings good news. And while he kept on drawing near, read more. the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called unto the porter and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings. And the watchman said, I think the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man and comes with good tidings.
And the sons of Israel had secretly done those things that were not right against the LORD their God, building themselves high places in all their cities, from the towers of the watchmen to the fenced cities.
He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza and the borders thereof, from the towers of the watchmen to the fenced city.
Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink; arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield. For thus has the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman who shall declare what he sees. read more. And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; then he looked with more diligence; and he cried, A lion upon the watchman. My lord, I stand continually all the day and all night long upon my watchtower. And, behold, this chariot of men comes with a couple of horsemen. Afterwards he spoke and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he has broken unto the ground.
Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the shofar. But they said, We will not hearken.
Koph Arise, cry out in the night; in the beginning of the watches; pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord; lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children that faint for hunger in the top of every street.
Son of man, speak to the sons of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring a sword upon the land and the people of the land take a man from within their borders and set him up as a watchman; and he should see the sword coming upon the land, if he should blow the shofar, and warn the people, read more. then whoever hears the sound of the shofar and does not take warning; and the coming of the sword should take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the shofar and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he that takes warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman should see the sword coming and not blow the shofar and the people not be warned, if the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away because of his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die for his sin; but I will require his blood at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it, if he does not turn from his way, he shall die for his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking upon the sea.
And he saw them toiling in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them; and about the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
And if he shall come in the second watch or come in the third watch and find them so, blessed are those slaves.
Listen to your pastors, and do not resist them, for they watch for your souls as those that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you.