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 in the morning watch, the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians out of the fiery and cloudy pillar, and troubled their host;
And so Gideon, and the three hundred men that were with him, came unto the side of the host in the beginning of the middle watch, and raised up the watchmen. And they blew with their trumpets and brake 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 saw: and behold, there came a man running alone. And the watchman called and told the king. And the king said, "If he come alone, there is tidings in his mouth." And he came and drew nigh. read more. And the watchman saw another man running, and called unto the porter and said, "Behold, there cometh another running alone." And the king answered, "He is also a tidings bringer." And the watchman said, "Me thinketh 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 cometh with good tidings."
And the children of Israel wrapped themselves in things that were not well toward the LORD their God. And they built them Hill altars in all their cities, both in the towers where they kept watch and also in the strong towns.
He beat the Philistines even unto Gaza and the coasts thereof, both in castles of garrisons and strong cities too.
While they garnished the table, the watchman looked: and while he was eating and drinking it was said, "Up, ye Captains, take you to your shield." For thus the Lord hath charged me: "Go thy way, and set a watchman, that he may tell what he seeth." read more. And when he had waited diligently, he saw two horsemen: the one riding upon an Ass, the other upon a camel. And the watchman cried, "LORD, I have stood waiting all the whole day, and am appointed to keep my watch every night. And behold, here cometh a chariot of men with two horsemen." And he answered and said, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen! She is turned upside down, and all the images of her gods are smitten to the ground!"
And I will set watchmen over you, and therefore take heed unto the voice of the trumpet. But they say, 'We will not take heed.'
{Kuf} Stand up and make thy prayer in the first watch of the night; pour out thine heart like water before the LORD. Lift up thine hands for the lives of thy young children that die of hunger in the streets.
"Thou son of man, Speak to the children of thy people, and tell them, 'When I send a sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their country, and set him to be their watchman: The same man, when he seeth the sword come upon the land, shall blow the trumpet, and warn the people. read more. If a man now hear the noise of the trumpet and will not be warned, and the sword come and take him away: his blood shall be upon his own head. For he heard the sound of the trumpet, and would not take heed, therefore his blood be upon him. But if he will receive warning, he shall save his life. Again, if the watchman see the sword come, and show it not with the trumpet, so that the people is not warned: if the sword come then, and take any man from among them: the same shall be taken away in his own sin, but his blood will I require of the watchman's hand.' And now, O thou son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: that whereas thou hearest anything out of my mouth, thou mayest warn them on my behalf. If I say unto the wicked: thou wicked, thou shalt surely die: and thou givest him not warning, that he may beware of his ungodly way: then shall the wicked die in his own sin, but his blood will I require of thy hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the wicked of his way, to turn from it, whereas he yet will not be turned from it, then shall he die because of his sin, but thou hast delivered thy soul.'
In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came unto them, walking on the sea:
and he saw them troubled in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them. And about the fourth quarter of the night, he came unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
And if he come in the second watch, yea, if he come in the third watch, and shall find them so, happy are those servants.
Obey them that have the oversight of you, and submit yourselves to them, for they watch for your souls, even as they that must give accounts for them: that they may do it with joy, and not with grief. For that is an unprofitable thing for you.