Bible Dictionary
Watches
The watches were divisions of the night during which sentries kept guard. The Old Testament commonly recognizes three watches, while the New Testament reflects the later Roman division of the night into four.
Definition
Watches were divisions of the night between sunset and sunrise during which sentries or watchmen kept guard. Watchmen relieved one another at these periods and warned of approaching enemies.
Biblical Usage
Scripture refers to watchmen guarding cities and watch-towers, and also uses watchmen as an image for ministers or teachers responsible for warning and oversight. The Old Testament recognizes three watches, while the New Testament reflects four.
Historical Background
The earlier three watches were the beginning, middle, and morning watches. A fourfold division, probably introduced by the Romans, appears in the New Testament.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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 (2 Sam. 18:24-27; 2 Kings 9:17-20; Isa. 21:5-9). They were sometimes placed for this purpose on watch-towers (2 Kings 17:9; 18:8). Ministers or teachers are also spoken of under this title (Jer. 6:17; Ezek. 33:2-9; Heb. 13:17). The watches of the night were originally three in number, (1) “the beginning of the watches” (Lam. 2:19); (2) “the middle watch” (Judg. 7:19); and (3) “the morning watch” (Ex. 14:24; 1 Sam. 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 (Matt. 14:25; Mark 6:48; Luke 12:38). (See DAY.)