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
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.
David was sitting between the two gates. The watchman walked along the roof of the gate by the wall. He looked at the man running alone. The watchman called and alerted the king. If he is alone, the king said, He has good news to tell. The runner came closer. read more. The watchman saw another man running. He called: There is another man running alone. The king said: This one is also bringing good news. The watchman said: It appears the first one runs like Ahimaaz, Zadok's son. He's a good man, the king said. He must be coming with good news.
The children of Israel secretly did things that were not right according to Jehovah their God. They built high places for themselves in all their towns, from the watchtower to the walled towns.
He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its limits, from the tower of the watchman to the walled town.
They set the table, they spread out the cloth, they eat, they drink; Rise up, captains, oil the shields, For this is what Jehovah says to me: Go, station the lookout, and let him report what he sees. read more. When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs, a train of donkeys, a train of camels, Let him pay close attention, very close attention. The watchman called out from the tower: Sir, I stand on the watchtower every day. Every night, I stand guard at my post. Look! Here come chariots and horsemen in pairs. Then he said: 'Babylon has fallen! She has fallen! All the idols they worship lie shattered on the ground.'
I set watchmen over you. I said: 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet! But they said: 'We will not listen!'
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.
Son of man, speak to your people. Tell them: 'Suppose I bring war on this country and the people of this country choose one of their men and make him their watchman. If he sees the enemy coming to attack the country he will blow his horn to warn the people. read more. If the people hear the horn and ignore the warning and the enemy comes and takes them, they will be responsible for their own deaths. They heard the sound of the horn but ignored its warning. In that case they are responsible for their own deaths. If they had taken the warning they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and does not blow his horn to warn the people and the enemy comes and kills someone, that watchman must die because of his sin. I will hold him responsible for their deaths.' Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for the people of Israel. Listen to what I say and warn them for me. Suppose I say to a wicked person, 'You wicked person, you will certainly die.' And you say nothing to warn him to change his ways. That wicked person will die because of his sin. I will hold you responsible for his death. But if you warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life.
Just before morning, Jesus walked to them on the water.
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.
Even if he comes in the second watch or the third and he finds the same his servants are blessed.
Obey those who lead you. Submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your lives and must account for this. Obey them that their work may be a joy and not a burden; that would be without gain for you.