How long were these "watches of the night"? Psalm 119:148
Psalm 119:148 (NIV)
"My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promises."
Psalms 119:1 - 176
ESV - 1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.
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Asked September 18 2021
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Jack Gutknecht
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Tim Maas
The Jews, Greeks, and Romans, all divided the night into military watches instead of hours, each watch representing the period for which sentinels or guards remained on duty. For the Jews, there were three such watches, entitled the first or "beginning of the watches" (Lamentations 2:19), the middle watch (Judges 7:19), and the morning watch (Exodus 14:24; 1 Samuel 11:11). These watches ran from sunset to 10 P.M.; from 10 P.M. to 2 A.M.; and from 2 A.M. to sunrise. After the Roman conquest of Palestine, the number of watches was increased to four, which were described either according to their numerical order, as in the case of the "fourth watch," (Matthew 14:25), or by the terms "even," "midnight," "cock-crowing" and "morning." (Mark 13:35). These terminated respectively at 9 P.M., midnight, 3 A.M., and 6 A.M.
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