When Does A day Start?

Yes! When Does A Day Start?

Another perspective!

An answer to the article,

“When Does A Day Start?”

AN EXAMINATION INTO WHEN THE SABBATH BEGINS

As posted on the website…www.2besaved.com

　

The following is an answer to the article, “When Does A Day Start”. As you read this article please be aware that by no means do I claim to have any special knowledge or insight. However, as I read the article in question I noticed some things that the author may have failed to consider when coming to his conclusions. As you read this answer, please be aware that I am not trying to cause dissention among brethren. Nor do I wish any ill will towards the writer or anyone connected to the article stated above. As a Sabbath keeper and seeker of truth for many years, I believe Yahuah (EIEI), has not only opened my mind to the truth of his Torah, but has also opened the minds of many others that I consider brethren. The fact that we all have a desire to obey Yahuah (EIEI) and have faith in his only begotten son Yahusha, shows we have a common bond. Because of this bond we should strive to seek truth for the purpose of edifying each other and bringing praise to the one who has made it all possible, our father(Abba), Yahuah.(EIEI) Let us all remember the admonition given by our Master Yahusha…

Mat 7:1 `Judge not, that ye may not be judged, 7:2 for in what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and in what measure ye measure, it shall be measured to you.(YLT)

And Rabbi Shaul gave us these words of wisdom…

Rom 3:3 for what, if certain were faithless? shall their faithlessness the faithfulness of god make useless? 4 let it not be! and let God become true, and every man false, according as it hath been written, `That Thou mayest be declared righteous in Thy words, and mayest overcome in Thy being judged. (YLT)

Rom 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (KJV)

　

With this in mind, let’s now examine the information presented in the afore mentioned article. I will post the scriptures and explanations given by the author of the article first. Then I will show why I believe the author is in error.

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Article stated: The truth is, that there is only one truth! “Thy Word is truth” (John 17:17) So, there is no point in looking to others to find how to please Yahweh. He has given us the truth in His Word.

For the Yehudim, the Shabbat traditionally starts at evening, when the sun has gone down, and ends 24 hours later. This is what a number of Messianics follow in regard to the Sabbath. Let's examine the Scriptures and see where the truth is.
The best place to start is at the start. What does the creation in Genesis reveal?.

Answer: I agree that there is only one truth. However, I do not agree that there is no point in looking to others for information. The Yahudim have been keeping the Sabbath longer than any other group alive today. Some have been and are Torah observant believers in Yahusha, while others, although not believers in Yahusha, have been observing the Torah down through the centuries. It is true, that many of the Yahudim have erred in their observance of Torah by adding to Torah via the rabbinical writings (so called oral torah).And yes, I am aware, as are many of the brethren that have come out of xstianity, that the Yahudim brought many pagan practices back with them from ba^bel ( בּבל ) . I do not believe that this means that all of the Yahudim are ignorant to the changes that have occurred over the centuries. And although there does seem to be evidence that certain changes where made on purpose, and yes, in some cases even hiding truth. I do not believe we have the right to, come up against, what the Almighty has ordained. To judge the heart of an individual as to the reasons for his actions is something only Yahuah, himself, can do. If we see our brother Yahuda is in error, we should try to restore him with love and patience. We should not ignore all that he has to say because he is in error in some aspects. If this is how we are to go about things, then we should not listen to anything anyone says, for we all have truth mixed with error to some degree or another. Having said this, I believe there is ample evidence from scripture, to support the idea that we should not ignore what the Yahudim have to say on such subjects as Sabbath observance. Please understand, I am not saying that we should follow all the teachings of the rabbi’s. But, lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater!

Psa 60:7 Mine is Gilead, and mine is Manasseh, And Ephraim is the strength of my head, Judah is my lawgiver, (YLT) (emphasis mine.)

Tehillim (Psa) 60:7 “Gil’ad is Mine and Menashsheh is Mine, And Ephrayim is the defence of My head, Yehudah is My lawgiver. (The Scriptures) (emphasis mine.)

Psa 108:8 Gilead is Mine; Manasseh is Mine and Ephraim is the strength of My head; Judah is My lawgiver; (MKJ) (emphasis mine).

Rom 3:1 What, then, is the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of the circumcision? 3:2 much in every way; for first, indeed, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God; (YLT) (emphasis mine.)

Note: Romans was written well after messiah has ascended to the father. Apparently the Apostle Shaul (Paul) felt that the Yahudim had at least something to contribute. Which ever way the Yahudim were keeping Shabbat, at the time of Yahusha, he did not seem to have a problem with the way they were observing it. I believe that if they had changed the time of observance Messiah surely would have said somthing about this. However, we see no mention of the way the sabbath was being observed. In fact Yahusha said that we should do as the religious leaders said to do, but not to do as they do…

Mat 23:2 saying, The scribes and the Pharisees have sat down on Moses' seat. 3 Then all things, whatever they tell you to keep, keep and do. But do not do according to their works, for they say, and do not do. (KJV)(emphasis mine.)

Gen 49:10 The sceptre turneth not aside from Judah, And a lawgiver from between his feet, Till his Seed come; And his is the obedience of peoples. (YLT) (emphasis mine.)

Bereshith (Gen) 49:10 “The sceptre shall not turn aside from Yehudah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him is the obedience of the people. (The Scriptures) (emphasis mine.)

In Genesis 49:10 we are given a prophecy through the patriarch Ya’aqab (Jacob), Earlier renamed Israel (Gen 32:28), about what will happen to his sons in the last days (Gen 49:1). In the last part of verse ten it reads…,and to him is the obedience of the people. (The Scriptures). If we take this part of the verse in context, I believe, it is telling us that in the last days, referring to the time just before Messiah’s return, the Yahudim will be the ones that people will turn to for guidance as to proper halecha for keeping Yah’s commandments. The him (notice lower case) referred to here in verse ten is Yahudah.(Judah)

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Article stated:

The best place to start is at the start. What does the creation in Genesis reveal?.

Genesis: chapter 1:1-5
In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth. And the earth came to be formless and empty, and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of Elohim was moving on the face of the waters. And Elohim said, “Let light come to be,” and light came to be. And Elohim saw the light, that it was good. And Elohim separated the light from the darkness. And Elohim called the light ‘day’ (yom) and the darkness He called ‘night.’ And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, the first day.

Answer: I agree, the best place to start is at the start or the beginning. However, as far as chronological order goes, Genesis is not the beginning of creation. Genesis is the beginning of the creation of the heavens and the earth. However, the creation of the Word (Yahusha) came before any other part of the creation was formed.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; 1:2 this one was in the beginning with God; 1:3 all things through him did happen, and without him happened not even one thing that hath happened. (YLT) (emphasis mine.)

Yohanan 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. 1:2 He was in the beginning with Elohim. 1:3 All came to be through Him, and without him not even one came to be that came to be. (The Scriptures) (emphasis mine.)

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Article stated: The Light was not sunlight for the first 3 days and 3 nights, this is a picture of Yahushua, in the earth.

Answer: As stated in John 1:3 above…All came to be through the Word. This includes natural physical light that we see on a daily basis. The light spoken of here in Genesis 1:3 may well be a METAPHORICAL PICTURE of Yahusha. However, to say that this was not sunlight is pure speculation. We know that Yahusha, as the Word, or spokesman (Greek Logos), spoke all things into existence accept himself. Yahusha is the one speaking the light into existence. So, if this light is not physical light, such as sunlight, then what kind of light is it? There are different kinds of light spoken of in scripture.

( 1 ) There is the physical created light…

2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (KJV)(emphasis mine.)

( 2 ) And there is the unapproachable light that no man has seen. This light I believe has always existed. It‘s where the father lives, and may very well be what the father consist of. But, this is only speculation because the father is above our ability to truly comprehend in my opinion.

1Ti 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. (KJV)(emphasis mine.)

1Ti 6:16 who only is having immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable, whom no one of men did see, nor is able to see, to whom is honour and might age-during! Amen. (YLT) (emphasis mine.)

( 3 ) There is one more kind of light that is spoken of in scripture. It is spiritual light as well, or enlightenment. This light has to do with our ability to see truth such as Torah. Here we see light being used metaphorically.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (KJV)(emphasis mine.)

Psa 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (KJV)(emphasis mine.)

Mat 11:27 `All things were delivered to me by my Father, and none doth know the Son, except the Father, nor doth any know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him . (YLT) (emphasis mine.)

Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (KJV)(emphasis mine.)

Phil 2:5 For, let this mind be in you which was also in messiah OSFEI, (The Scriptures) (emphasis mine.)

Dan 5:14 “ I have heard of you, that the spirit of Elah is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. (The Scriptures) (emphasis mine.)

Metaphorically speaking, truth and light are closely related. As is shown above, the WORD of YAHUAH is a light to our feet. In order to know we have truth, we must have the mind of the Messiah through the indwelling of the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) the light of our mind has been turned on, so to speak.

We also know that Yahusha was created before the messengers (Angels; Heb. Malak), also known as the sons of Yah and the morning stars.

Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (KJV) (emphasis mine.)

Side note of interest: Yahusha said that he is THE BRIGHT and MORNING STAR! a term that is used to describe messengers (Angels).

Rev 22:16 ”I, OSFEI, have sent My messenger to witness to you these matters in the assemblies. I am the Root and Offspring of Dawid, the Bright AND Morning Star.“ (The Scriptures) (emphasis mine.)

The Angels are created beings that were created before the earth was created as we see in the scripture from Job above. It is reasonable to conclude that Yahusha spoke the Angels into existence, and therefore, was in existence before the creation of the earth. He was in fact in existence before the creation of the universe as we know it. The Point I am trying to make is that physical light, such as sunlight, Is the only candidate for the light that was spoken into existence in Gen 1:3.All other forms of light were already in existence at this time. I believe this light was sunlight from the billions of stars in the universe that were created at this time. And that the sun and moon already existed when we see them being APPOINTED to their respective orbits and the reason for their existence being given in Gen 1:14-18. We can see this more accurately when we look at a literal translation of scripture.

　

Gen 1:14 And God saith, `Let luminaries be in the expanse of the heavens, to make a separation between the day and the night, then they have been for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and they have been for luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth:' and it is so.16 And God maketh the two great luminaries, the great luminary for the rule of the day, and the small luminary--and the stars--for the rule of the night; 17 and God giveth them in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth, 18 and to rule over day and over night, and to make a separation between the light and the darkness; and God seeth that it is good;

　

　

As shown in the definition below, the word עשׂה (‛a^śa^h), translated ,made and maketh, in the scriptures above can also be translated as APPOINTED. So what, I believe, we are seeing in Gen 1:16 is Elohim explaining to us that he set the sun, moon and the earth in there appointed orbits. And in verses 17 and 18 he gives us the reason for him doing so. I have also provided the root word definition from the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible by Jeff benner. Available @

http://www.mechanical-translation.org/e-sword_ahlb.html

http://www.mechanical-translation.org/

http://www.ancient-hebrew.org

H6213

Strongs #6213: AHLB#: 1360-H (V)

1360) (Xo% AhS) ac: Do co: ? ab: ?

H) (Exo% AhSH) ac: Do co: Work ab: ?: The making or doing of anything.

V) (Exo% Ah-SH) - Do: To do or make something. A generic verb with a wide application meaning to do something. [df: hVe] [freq. 2633] (vf: Paal

Niphal, Pual, Piel) |kjv: do, make, wrought, deal, commit, offer, execute, keep, show, prepare, work, get, dress, maker, maintain| {str: 6213}

a^m) (Exom% MAh-SH) - Work: A work or action. [df: hVem] [freq. 235] |kjv: work, acts, labour, doing, art, deed| {str: 4639}

Strong’s

H6213

עשׂה

a^śa^h

BDB Definition:

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce

1a1a) to do

1a1b) to work

1a1c) to deal (with)

1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make

1a2a) to make

1a2b) to produce

1a2c) to prepare

1a2d) to make (an offering)

1a2e) to attend to, put in order

1a2f) to observe, celebrate

1a2g) to acquire (property)

1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute

1a2i) to bring about

1a2j) to use

1a2k) to spend, pass

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be done

1b2) to be made

1b3) to be produced

1b4) to be offered

1b5) to be observed

1b6) to be used

1c) (Pual) to be made

2) (Piel) to press, squeeze

Part of Speech: verb

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: a primitive rootSame Word by TWOT Number: 1708, 1709

One more thing; if the light in Gen 1:3 is not actual sunlight. How does one explain the fact that we have evening (sunset) and morning (sunrise) the first day?

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Article stated: John 12:46 "I am come a light into the world..."

Answer: It is obvious that Messiah was speaking of himself and that John 12:46 is referring to His first coming. In Isaiah we see a prophecy of the first coming of the messiah.

Isa 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
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Article stated: We know that the "light" (Yahushua) was the first creation:

Colossians 1:15-17
...who is the likeness of the invisible Elohim, the first-born of all creation. Because in Him were created all that are in the heavens and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or rulerships or principalities or authorities – all have been created through Him and for Him. And He is before all, and in Him all hold together

Answer: On this point we are in agreement.

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Article stated:

Note:
LIGHT=Or=Yom, DARKNESS=Night=Layelah, EVENING=Erev, MORNING=Boker, FIRST=Echad.
Hebrew is cyclic rather than linear thinking.
Erev = mixing or a blending. You can't have it without both Light and darkness, which means the Light was there prior to the darkness.

Answer: Darkness is the absence of light. Scripture plainly tells us that darkness was first.

Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light. And there was light.

4 And God saw the light that it was good. And God divided between the light and the darkness. (MKJV)

Just prior to morning(boker) you have a twilight period called dawn. This, also, is a mixing of light and darkness.

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Article stated:
Morning = Boker, boker is a breaking, dividing, separation, delineation or demarcation
All was stated as happening in order, then boker occurs, and that was the Echad or unified day. This is not the word Rishone for first.

So, to simplify:
The daylight part of a 24 hour period is called “DAY” (Hebrew: YOM).
EVENING (EREV) =Mixing of the Light and darkness after sunset

MORNING (BOKER) =break of day, which is the sun breaking the horizon.

Note: It is true that “yom” can mean an undefined period of time unless it is defined, as it is in the Genesis account (“there came to be evening and there came to be morning”)
This account of day one is no different than describing the age of a child. You are not one year old to you have lived a whole year. Likewise, Genesis describes the events that took place, then night to morning an is called "the first day".

The six day creation defines for us when a day starts:

In the beginning there is nothingness, or darkness, then Elohim creates light and calls it “day”. That is the start. Scripture states that evening came, then morning (start of the next day), that was the first day.The creation process continues like this for six days:

DAY (Create) – EVENING – MORNING. It's really that simple. A day is morning to morning.

Answer: The graphic above is an attempt to show how day and night would have started. The author has stated that Hebrew thought is or was cyclic not linear. The graph is, however, a result of linear thinking. Allow me to explain.

The graph has the creation laid out as it though the earth were flat. If the earth were a long rectangular flat object, then the graph may be correct. However, the earth is a sphere, and this knowledge, of the shape of the earth, was available to the writers of scripture long ago!

Isa 40:22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: (KJV) (emphasis mine)

Gen 1:4 tells us that Elohim gave names to these two new creations; day and night. The light (ore) he called day (yom), and the darkness(cho^shek) he called night(laila). Suppose you were alive at the beginning, and that the land had been created. You are standing say at the equator of the earth. It wouldn’t really matter at what point on the equator for the sake of this argument. Now, imagine that you look up and all of a sudden, in the blink of an eye, the stars appear! You would see all these possibly billions if not trillions of stars in the heavens. However, it is still dark because the light from the sun is striking the earth on the opposite side from where you are. Now, imagine that there is another person standing on the exact opposite side of the earth from you. This person is in the light and for him the day began with light. However, for you the day began with darkness. Now, the sun, moon the earth and most likely all the planets and stars and heavenly bodies have been placed into their orbits all at the same time. Depending on which side of the earth you are standing on, it may be day or it may be night. The point I am trying to make hear is that day and night came into existence at the same moment in time! Or we could say, that time for us here on earth began at the creation of night and day. And that which came first is relative to where you are on earth at that particular moment because the earth is a sphere and turns in a circle. What if you had been standing on the exact points of Morning (sunrise) and another person was standing at the exact point of evening (sunset). One of you would say the day began in the evening and the other would say the day began in the morning. So, who is correct? You both are. So, this argument for the sunrise to sunrise Sabbath finds no help here. But neither does the sunset to sunset argument. So, how do we determine which is right? The answer may lie in the order of the word evening (erev) and morning(boker).

Scripture should be our guide for any truth. In Gen 1:5b it says…And there came to be evening (dusk)(erev) and there came to be morning(boker) the first day. What I have to ask is this. Why mention evening (erev) at all? If the creator wanted to establish a morning to morning Sabbath, would he not have inspired the writer of Genesis to write…and there was boker and there was boker the first yom? This would show very clearly that a day began and ended at sunrise. What we see instead is …there was erev and there was boker, the first yom. This seems to be a reference to the day starting in the evening and includes the next 12 hour period called liala (night). Then we see boker (morning) mentioned and it includes the next 12 hour period called yom(day). Although this is not conclusive and can, it seems, be argued either way, I believe the momentum is given to the day beginning at evening at this point.

So, evening and morning are occurring at the same time on opposite sides of the earth at any given second of the day. Ok, so this still doesn’t settle the matter of when the day starts. But, what we do see here is a day being defined as a 24 hour period.

We can assume that this has been happening from the moment the earth and sun where put into their respective orbits. So, what we see in Gen 1:3 is the creation of the luminaries and in verses 16 through 18 we see the luminaries being settled and given their respective task, so to speak. When Elohim set the orbits of the sun, moon and earth, he made a decree that will last throughout the ages.

Psa 148:3 Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all stars of light.4 Praise Him, heavens of heavens, and waters that are above the heavens.5 Let them praise the name of Jehovah; for He commanded, and they were created.6 He has also settled them forever and ever; He has made a decree which shall not pass away. (MKJV)

In the verses above we see, first, the commandment for the sun, moon, earth and the stars to be created. Then we see that they were settled forever.

Note of Interest: The word erev translated as evening in the verses previously posted, can mean night or dusk, as seen in the definitions below. This being the case, verses such as Gen 1:1 could be translated as …there came to be night, and there came to be morning, the first day. Or, …there came to be dusk (also known as twilight), and there came to be morning (there is also a twilight period here!), the first day. Either way this seems to show us the order of the day although not emphatically.

H6153

Strongs #6153: AHLB#: 2907 (N)

2907) Brg% (Brg% GhRB) ac: Dark co: Raven ab: ?: [from: bg]

V) Brg% (Brg% Gh-RB) - Dark: To be dark as the evening sky. [freq. 3] (vf: Paal, Hiphil) |kjv: evening, darkened| {str: 6150}

N^m) Brg% (Brg% Gh-RB) - I. Dark: The dark of the evening or dark skinned people. II. Willow: From its shade and dark covering. [freq. 142] |kjv: even, evening, night, mingled, people, eventide, arabia, day| {str: 6153, 6155}

N^f1) Ebrg% (Ebrg% GhR-BH) - Desert: As a dark place. [freq. 61] |kjv: plain, desert, wilderness, arbah, champaign, evening, heaven| {str: 6160}

g^m) Brfg% (Brfg% GhW-RB) - Raven: As black in color. [freq. 10] |kjv:

plain, desert, wilderness, arbah, champaign, evening, heaven| {str: 6160}

g^m) Brfg% (Brfg% GhW-RB) - Raven: As black in color. [freq. 10] |kjv: raven| {str: 6158}

H6153

ערב

ereb

BDB Definition:

1) evening, night, sunset

1a) evening, sunset

1b) night

Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H6150

Same Word by TWOT Number: 1689a

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Article stated: Genesis 2:1-3Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their array. And on the seventh day (yom) Elohim completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day (yom) from all His work which He had made. And Elohim blessed the seventh day (yom) and set it apart, because on it He rested from all His work which Elohim in creating had made.

So to clarify when a day starts, scripture informs that Elohim rested and blessed the SEVENTH DAYLIGHT PERIOD (YOM). Not the sixth night!

This is NOT saying a day is 12 hours. A full "day" in the creation account is defined as 24 hours starting in the morning.

　

Answer: The fact that Elohim rested on the 7^th day means just what it says. He rested on the 7^th day. This is not a reference as to when the day begins, but, is simply telling us Elohim rested on the seventh day.

The statements made, by the author of the afore mentioned article above, are hard to understand. The writer clearly states that,”…Elohim rested and blessed the SEVENTH DAYLIGHT PERIOD (YOM). Not the sixth night!” He then says, “This is NOT saying a day is 12 hours. A full "day" in the creation account is defined as 24 hours starting in the morning.”

I believe that the writer here is saying that the seventh day also included both the daylight portion of the day as well as the following night. However, for general purposes, allow me to add that, if Yah had blessed only the daylight portion of the seventh day, then only the daylight portion is set-apart or qo^desh. BDB Definition:H6944

קדשׁ qo^desh 1) apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness. It would stand to reason that the sabbath which is clearly called Holy in scripture would consist only of the twelve hour daylight portion of the seventh day. So, what would be being stated here is that the sabbath is only twelve hours long. This is clearly not correct as this would mean that the week is split up into fourteen segments. Seven daylight periods and seven night periods. This is not consistent with Yah’s use of the seven day week at creation. Below is the definition of Yom (day).

H3117 יום yo^m

BDB (Brown-Driver-Briggs’) Definition:

1) day, time, year

1a) day (as opposed to night)

1b) day (24 hour period)

1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1

1b2) as a division of time

1b2a) a working day, a day’s journey

1c) days, lifetime (plural)

1d) time, period (general)

1e) year

1f) temporal references

1f1) today

1f2) yesterday

1f3) tomorrow

Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from an unused root meaning to be hot

Same Word by TWOT Number: 852

Once again, I see no definitive answer in the information given thus far that either proves or disproves when the sabbath day starts and ends. Although, the momentum seems to lean towards the day starting in the evening. The fact that Yah separated the week of creation into seven days and called the seventh day holy is to me proof enough that the sabbath consist of a full twenty-four hour period that is set-apart, qo^desh unto Yah and that we should observe it for a full twenty-four hours. I realize that the author of the article was not trying to say the day was only 12 hours long.

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Article stated:

WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURES?
As we continue through Scripture, we find many narratives that define a 24 hour day beginning in the morning, The following are some of the most straightforward:
Genesis 1:16
And Elohim made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night, and the stars.
Note: Why would Yahweh start a day with the "lesser light"?

Answer: Why would he not start the day with the lesser light? In the scripture above we see no reference as to when the day (24 hour period) starts. This is only telling us who made the two lights and which part of the day each represents. Let us be careful not to read into scripture what is not there!

It is true that it doesn’t seem logical to start the day when the sun sets. However, we must remember that we are abstract thinkers. We cant help it; being raised in the modern, western, world. We tend to think in terms of things that can not be detected by the senses. The ancient Hebrews, however, were concrete thinkers. They related to things that affect the five senses; sight, taste ,touch, smell, hear. Our view of time and space is different as well. We tend to see the future as something in front of us. However, the ancient Hebrews looked at the future as something that could not be seen. The past had already happened and was in front of them. Similar to a man rowing a boat. The man can see where he has been, but, he can not see where he is going; the future. This Idea was taken from an article from the Ancient Hebrew Research Center…cant remember which article. www.ancient-hebrew.org by: Jeff Benner.

And let us not forget!

Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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Article stated:

Genesis 1:18
and to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness...
Note: The order: day-night, light-darkness...

Answer: Once again, this scripture is only telling us why the lights were placed as they were and what their purpose is.
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Article stated:
Genesis 19:33-34
So they made their father drink wine that night. And the first-born went in and lay with her father, and he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she arose. 34 And it came to be on the next day that the first-born said to the younger, “See, I lay with my father last night.
Note: The "next" day followed the night.

Yesterday

Answer: In this scripture we are told of specific events that happened at night and later on after the night during the daylight period. The terms, the next day and that night as well as last night are meant to tell us that this event happened at night. And then what happened during the daylight period that followed. This in no way defines whether or not the day (24 hour period) begins with evening or with morning.

The term the next day ( mochŏra^th ) does not define when the day begins nor does it explain what time of the day these things happened. If I tell you I will be meeting you at your house the next day. I still haven’t told you what time of the day I will meet you. It could be at sunrise or it could be at noon. I will have still met you on the next day. Night and day are used to distinguish the day from the night in this instance, not to tell us when the twenty-four hour day begins.

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Article stated:

Exodus 32:5-6
And Aharon saw and built an altar before it. And Aharon called out and said, “Tomorrow is a festival to YHWH.” 6 And they rose early on the next day, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Note: Aaron said “tomorrow” is a festival and the “next day” they “rose early”. You don't rise at night.

Answer: Although this scripture doesn’t emphatically define when a day begins. It may well make a case for the evening to evening sabbath. The term tomorrow simply tells us that the festival will happen on the next day, or twenty four our period. Tomorrow is not a specific time but a reference to a future time that occurs within the bounds of the next 24 hour period. {see definition below} Or even more abstractly, it could be any time in the future. The term, the next day, could also refer to the next twenty four hour period. If Aharon built the altar during the day, then it only makes since that the next evening could be counted as part of the next day (24 hour period). And as for rising at night goes, even here in the United States we rise before sunrise and call it morning or tomorrow. So people do rise at night. Early on the next day could mean before sunrise, at sunrise, or some other time of the day. But once again the word Yom can mean either a 24 hour period or the daylight portion of a 24 hour day. This is not defined in this scripture. If you could prove that Aharon built the alter during the night, then, you could be right to assume that the next day would start at sunrise. Most likely Aharon built the alter during the day, when it was easy to see.

H4279

Strongs #4279: AHLB#: 1181-A (a)

1181) Rh% (Rh% HhR) ac: Burn co: ? ab: ?: The pictograph h is a picture of a wall representing the outside. The r is a picture of a man. Combined these mean "outside man". A man outside in the desert sun becomes pale and hot.

A) Rh% (Rh% HhR) ac: Burn co: ? ab: ?: The heat from the sun. Heat of anger. Also tomorrow or later time as a delay.

a^f) Rhm% (Rhm% MHh-R) - Later: [freq. 52] |kjv: tomorrow, time to come| {str: 4279}

a^f2) Trhm% (Trhm% MHh-RT) - Tomorrow: [df: Mtrxm] [freq. 32] |kjv: morrow, next day, next| {str: 4283}

H4279

מחר

ma^cha^r

maw-khar'

Probably from H309; properly deferred, that is, the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely hereafter: - time to come, tomorrow.

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Article stated:

Leviticus 7:15
As for the flesh of the slaughtering of his peace offering for thanksgiving, it is eaten the same day it is offered, he does not leave any of it until morning."
Note: How can you eat your peace offering "the same day" and "not leave any of it till morning" if your day starts at night!?

Answer:

Lets examine what is being said in this scripture more closely. First off, what is not said is that the offering has to be eaten completely. And as far as not leaving it until morning, one could simply burn that portion that was more than could be eaten. Also the timing of the sacrifice and offering would determine how difficult it would be to consume all the sacrifice, if indeed it was necessary to eat it all. The morning and evening sacrifices were done as a continual burnt offering and was done at the same time every day. So, if a man was to bring his peace offering, it most likely would have to be either before or after the daily sacrifices. If it was done say, after the morning sacrifice then there probably would be no problem consuming it all before morning. If after the evening sacrifice, then most likely the offering would have been made after sunset. The daily sacrifice was made between the evenings not leaving enough time for another sacrifice before sunset.

Lev 6:9 Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.

In the scripture above we see that the evening sacrifice burned all through the night until the next morning. The phrase…and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it… is a reference to the sacrifice itself. The fire of the alter was to be burning continually. So, the fire was burning the offering all night long. My point is that, as we will see, the evening sacrifice happened in the time just before sunset. Then the sacrifice was put on the alter and burned all night long. So it’s the time of the actual killing of the lamb that made it occur on the day before as the second offering of that day.

EXODUS 29:38 And this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs daily, sons of a year; 39 the one lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the second [hasheni] lamb you shall offer between the evenings [beyn ha'arbayim]. 40 And a tenth of fine flour anointed with beaten oil, a fourth of a hin, and a drink offering, a fourth of a hin of wine, for the one lamb. 41 And you shall offer the second [hasheni] lamb between the evenings [beyn ha'arbayim]; you shall do it like the morning food offering and its drink offering, for a soothing fragrance, a fire offering to Jehovah. (LTB)

Although many English translations render hasheni as "the other" in verses 39 and 41, any good Hebrew concordance will show you that it literally means "the" (ha) "second" (sheni). The instructions shown above make it clear that the priests were to offer two lambs every day. God told Moses that the first lamb was to be sacrificed in the morning, and the second lamb was to be sacrificed "between the evenings." To be the second offering of the day, the lamb sacrificed "between the evenings" had to be slain before sunset. If the lamb was sacrificed after sunset it could not be said that it was slain between the evenings. It would have to be said it was slain on the evening of which ever day it happened to be. So, what does the phrase, beyn ha'arbayim, mean?

There is another popular idea as to what the phrase between the evenings ( beyn ha'arbayim ) means. The Ancient Samaritans believed that the phrase means the time just after sunset, before it is completely dark (twilight). It has been said that the Sadducees agreed with the Samaritans in their reckoning of the this term.

The Jews, however, correctly understood what God meant by beyn ha'arbayim. According to noted Jewish historian Alfred Edersheim, "Ordinarily it [the evening sacrifice] was slain at 2.30 P.M., and offered at about 3.30" (p. 174, updated ed., The Temple: Its Ministry and Services).

So, what does the phrase, beyn ha'arbayim, mean?
In First Kings we have a witness as to what was meant by between the evenings that should settle this issue once and for all. The prophet Elijah had King Ahab of Israel assemble the people of Israel on Mount Carmel. He challenged the people, saying, "If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him" (I Kings 18:21). Elijah then proposed a test to identify the true God. The prophets of Baal were to sacrifice a bull for a burnt offering and call on their god to consume the offering with fire. Let's pick up the story in I Kings 18:26:

I KINGS 18:26 So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, "O Baal, hear us!" But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made. 27 And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened." 28 So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. 29 And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention. (NKJV)

Notice that in the scripture above it says that the prophets of Baal called on the name of Baal…from morning until noon…and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. The timing here is important for establishing the time frame in which the evening sacrifice is offered.

I KINGS 18:36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again." 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" 40 And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!" So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there. 41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain." 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 43 and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again." 44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.'" 45 Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. 46 Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. (NKJV )

Generally, there is about 30-45 minutes from the time the sun goes down until total darkness. If the Samaritan definition of beyn ha'arbayim is correct, all the following events detailed in I Kings 18 had to have occurred "between the evenings" at the time of the evening sacrifice, a period of declining visibility; twilight:

The repair of God's altar by Elijah (I Kings 18:30-32).

The digging of a trench around the altar which would hold approximately 5½ gallons (2 "seahs") of water (I Kings 18:32).

The piling of wood on the altar (I Kings 18:33).

The cutting of the sacrificial bull in pieces and the placement of it upon the altar (I Kings 18:33).

The pouring of four pots full of water on the sacrifice and wood three separate times (I Kings 18:33-35).

Elijah's prayer to God, resulting in fire which consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the altar, and the water in the trench around the altar (I Kings 18:36-38)

The capture of the prophets of Baal by the people of Israel (I Kings 18:40).

The execution of the 450 prophets of Baal by the Brook Kishon (I Kings 18:40).

Elijah's message to King Ahab to eat and drink because rain was coming (I Kings 18:41).

Elijah's climb to the top of the 1,600+ ft. Mount Carmel (I Kings 18:42).

Elijah sending his servant to look toward the sea seven different times (I Kings 18:43).

The sighting by his servant on the seventh look of "a cloud as small as a man's hand rising out of the sea" (I Kings 18:44).

The blackening of the sky due to clouds (not night!) as heavy rains began to fall (I Kings 18:45).

Even if we conservatively assume that Elijah made all the preparations for the sacrifice (I Kings 18:30-35) before the time of the evening sacrifice, common sense should tell us that there is no way the remaining events (I Kings 18:36-45) could have taken place between sunset and total darkness. The facts of the above story just do not support the Samaritan interpretation of "between the evenings."

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Article stated:

Numbers 11:32
And the people were up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and gathered the quail. He who has least gathered ten omers. And they spread them out for themselves all around the camp.
Note: “that day” belongs to “that night”, then the “next day” comes

Joshua 7:6-13

Answer: The problem with this line of thinking is that as long as you are defining Yom as the daylight period. And Laila as the night time period, there is no way to prove from these scriptures when the day starts. Unless you can define the Yom spoken of as a twenty-four hour period, there is just no way to know for sure because it is not defined. To say that this night belongs to this day is simply conjecture and can not be proven.

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Article stated:

Joshua 7:6-13
6 And Yehoshua tore his garments, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of YHWH until evening, both he and the elders of Yisra’el, and they put dust on their heads... 10 And YHWH said to Yehoshua, “Rise up! Why are you lying on your face?... 13 “Rise up, set the people apart, and you shall say, ‘Set yourselves apart for tomorrow, because thus said YHWH Elohim of Yisra’el, “That which is under the ban is in your midst...”
Note: It was already “evening” when Yahweh told Yehoshua to set themselves apart for “tomorrow”, so a day cannot begin at evening.

Answer: The term until evening means until dusk. The Hebrew word used here is erev. This word means at sunset…dusk. When referring to the actual night or dark portion of the day, the word laila or night is used. Tomorrow here can simply mean any portion of the next 24 hour period. As shown before, evening can also mean the time between noon and actual sunset, when the sun has dropped below the horizon. _________________________________________________________

Article stated:

Judges 19:9
And the man arose to go, he and his concubine and his servant. But his father-in-law, the young woman’s father, said to him, “See, the day is now drawing toward evening. Please spend the night. See, the day is coming to an end. Stay here, and let your heart be glad. And you shall rise early tomorrow for your journey, and you shall go to your tent.”
Note: Rising "early tomorrow" implies the start of the day being morning.

Answer: Now we are getting somewhere! Finally we have what looks like definitive proof on this matter!

And the man arose to go, he and his concubine and his servant. But his father-in-law, the young woman’s father, said to him, “See, the day is now drawing toward evening.

Here we see that the day is about to end, in the evening! The phrase: the day is now drawing toward evening. Means that it is late in the day (yom the daylight portion of the day) and the day is about to come to an end.

The man’s father-in-law then said, “Please spend the night. See, the day is coming to an end.” …And you shall rise early tomorrow for your journey, and you shall go to your tent.”

The daylight portion of the day had not ended yet. It was about to end and the father-in-law said …And you shall rise early tomorrow . If the day is about to end in the evening and he will rise early tomorrow, then the night ahead of them most likely would be part of the next twenty-four hour day. Tomorrow can apply to early the next morning before sunrise, the next daylight period of the day or it can apply to any part of the next day whether it is day or night. So, this scripture isn’t definitive proof either! Although it does, in my opinion, lean heavily towards the day beginning in the evening.

H4279

מחר

ma^cha^r

BDB Definition:

1) tomorrow, in time to come, in the future

1a) tomorrow (as the day following the present day)

1b) in future time

Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: probably from H309

Same Word by TWOT Number: 1185a

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Article stated:

1 Samuel 30:17
And Dawid smote them from twilight until the evening of the next day. And none of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled.
Note: If a day were from evening to evening the Scripture would not read “the next day”.

Answer: The conclusion in the note above is simply conjecture. Twilight is defined as the time when the sun has set and it is not yet completely dark, or it can refer to the time in the morning just before the sun actually rises and light is coming over the horizon {see definition below}. So, twilight in this scripture could mean that David smote them from morning until the evening of the next day (a 12 hour period) or it could mean that he smote them from evening until evening (a 24 hour day). If the writer considered the day starting in the evening, then he would have no problem with this scenario. If the day starts in the morning then David would have to be smiting for one and a half days. No matter how long the smiting took, this scripture is inconclusive as to the start of a 24 hour day.

H5399

נשׁף

nesheph

BDB Definition:

1) twilight

1a) evening twilight

1b) morning twilight

Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H5398

Same Word by TWOT Number: 1434a

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Article stated:

2 Samuel 24:13-15
Gad then came to Dawid and informed him. And he said to him, “Should seven years of scarcity of food come to you in your land? Or would you flee three months before your enemies, while they pursue you? Or should there be three days’ plague in your land? Now know and see what answer I take back to Him who sent me.” And Dawid said to Gad, “I am in great trouble. Please let us fall into the hand of YHWH, for His compassion is great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.” And YHWH sent a plague upon Yisra’el from the morning till the appointed time, and from Dan to Be’ersheba seventy thousand men of the people died.
Note: The “three day” plague started in the “morning”, not at night.

Answer: Since in the above scripture it says three days (yom) and doesn’t say three days and three nights. We can not be sure if the time of plague lasted three 24 hour periods or for a time that included the next three daylight periods. If the plague lasted for three days and two nights, we could still say it lasted three days. As far as telling us when a day begins; the evidence is inconclusive.

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Article stated:

Jonah 4:6-7

And YHWH Elohim appointed a plant and made it come up over Yonah, to be a shade for his head to deliver him from his discomfort. And Yonah greatly rejoiced over the plant. But as morning dawned the next day Elohim appointed a worm which attacked the plant so that it withered.
Note: “morning” starts the “next day”.

Answer: True! Morning does start the next day. Morning always starts the daylight portion of a 24 hour day. However, here again the next day could have included the night before. When the plant came up over Yonah it was daylight. In verse 5 we see that Yonah built himself a booth and he sat under it in the shade. So, the next day spoken of here could be the time from evening, after the sunset, until the next evening and could include a complete night and a complete day. The evidence here is also inconclusive.

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Article stated:

Zecharyah 14:7
And it shall be one day which is known to YHWH, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light.
Note: A 24 hour day is mentioned here with the day preceding the night.

Answer: The context here is the Day of Yah. A time in the future when the natural day and night will be overcome by the light of Messiah and his kingdom. This has nothing to say about when a day starts.

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Article stated:

ANOMOLIES
With so many Scriptural references defining the day and when it begins, one wonders what compels some to hold to the traditions of the evening to evening Sabbath? To be fair there are a couple of references that can cause confusion if taken out of context.
Leviticus 23:26-32
And YHWH spoke to Mosheh, saying, “On the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be a set-apart gathering for you. And you shall afflict your beings, and shall bring an offering made by fire to YHWH. “And you do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before YHWH your Elohim. “For any being who is not afflicted on that same day, he shall be cut off from his people. “And any being who does any work on that same day, that being I shall destroy

from the midst of his people. “You do no work – a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. ‘It is a Sabbath of rest to you, and you shall afflict your beings. On the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you observe your Sabbath.”

It is quite clear in the context of this Law that the Sabbath for the day of atonement differs from other Sabbaths, in that Yahweh Specified this particular High Sabbath to be kept from evening to evening. Notice that Yahweh makes it clear by numbering the days; that the day of atonement is on the "tenth day" but the fast commences on the "ninth day" at evening.
Why would Yahweh Command us to start the fast on the ninth day at evening if the tenth day started at evening anyhow? It also makes sense to keep this fast this way, as some children may find it difficult waking; having not eaten all night, to fast throughout the day and then another night; a total 72 hours.

Answer: Scripture makes it plain that the tenth day is the Day Of Atonement. It makes perfect sense that Yahuah would tell us to start the fast on the evening of the ninth if the day started in the evening. If the day starts in the morning then the day of atonement would be held on two different days. The evening of the ninth and then the next daylight period would be part of the tenth day. In effect splitting this day over two days. Scripture says the Day of Atonement is to be observed on the tenth day, not the ninth. The word translated evening is erev( ערב ). This word can mean night, but in this instance it most likely means dusk. So, verse 32 could be translated…On the ninth day of the month at dusk, from dusk to dusk, you observe your Sabbath.”

Lev 23:32 Let this be a Sabbath of special rest to you, and keep yourselves from all pleasure; on the ninth day of the month at nightfall from evening to evening, let this Sabbath be kept. ( BBE ) [ If nightfall here represented the ninth day, then once again we have a sabbath split between two days]

H6153

ערב

‛ereb

eh'-reb

From H6150; dusk: - + day, even (-ing, tide), night.

Lev 23:32 leans very heavily towards the day starting in the evening!

Article stated:

Another exception is the night of the Passover in which Yahweh led His people out of Egypt:
Leviticus 23:5
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between the evenings, is the Passover to YHWH.

One glaring problem of the evening to evening observance is that it is impossible to celebrate your passover on the evening of the 14th and eat you celebration meal “that night”!

If your “day” starts in the evening then celebrate at night, then you have passed into the

15th according to an evening to evening reckoning...

Answer: That night simply refers to the coming night after the sacrifice was made between the evenings on the fourteenth. The actual Passover sacrifice had all ready occurred. If the days are observed from morning to morning, we have a major problem!

Exo 12:17 And you shall observe the unleavened bread for on this very day I brought out your armies from the land of Egypt. And you shall observe this day for your generations, a statute forever.18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at evening(dusk) you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month, at evening.(LITV)

Notice: Exo 12:17a says: And you shall observe the unleavened bread for on this very day I brought out your armies from the land of Egypt. It doesn’t say “ I brought you out on Passover! ” On this day refers to the first day of unleavened bread.

As shown in the preceding scripture, the feast of unleavened bread is a seven day festival that includes the 15^th-21^st of the month. Count them, that’s seven days. This seven day period is different from the actual Passover. Passover is the 14^th. Notice it is not a sabbath and has no other significance to the Israelites accept for the fact that the Lamb was kept up until this day and then killed and cooked and the blood placed on the doorpost. If the day start in the morning, and then the lamb is sacrificed on the evening of the 14th, according to this reckoning…

(1) the lamb could not have been killed between the evenings. It would have been killed on the evening of the 14^th and not between anything accept the two daylight periods.

(2) The lamb had to be eaten with unleavened bread. This would mean that the feast of unleavened bread started on the 14^th, not the 15^th. And would include the entire night of the 14^th.

(3) We know that scripture says the 21^st day is included in the FUB .If the day starts in the morning, then only half of the 21^st day can be included in the seven day festival.

Day Beginning at Sunrise Scenario

PASACH LAMB KILLED AND EATEN W/ ULB ON THE NIGHT OF THE 14^TH.

Morning

14th

Evening

14th

Lamb Killed

@ Twilight

after

sunset

FUB

Begins

Morning

15th

Evening

15th

Morning

16th

Evening

16th

Morning

17th

Evening

17th

Morning

18th

Evening

18th

Morning

19th

Evening

19th

Morning

20th

Evening

20th

7th DUB

Begins

Morning

21st

7th DUB

Ends @

Sunset

on

21st

Evening

21st

FUB BEGINS ON THE EVENING OF THE 14^TH AND ENDS AT SUNSET ON THE 21^ST.

As you can see, the day starting in the morning poses a problem. The only way one can include the whole day of the 21^st is if the FUB lasted 7½ days.

Exo 12:16 And on the first day shall be a holy gathering, and in the seventh day a holy gathering shall be to you. Not any work may be done on them. Only what must be eaten by your soul, that alone may be done by you.

The seventh day is the 21^st. It is an annual sabbath that last a full 24 hours. With the morning to morning reckoning, the last half of the 21^st is not part of the FUB.

Now let’s examine how this scenario works out with the day beginning at sunset.

Day Beginning at Sunset Scenario

LAMB IS COOKED, AND THEN EATEN ON THE NIGHT OF THE 15^TH.W/ULB.

Evening

14th

Lamb Killed

3pm

Afternoon

and

Roasted

Lamb Eaten

Israelites

get

ready

and leave

Evening

15th

1st DUB

Morning

15th

Evening

16th

Morning

16th

Evening

17th

Morning

17th

Evening

18th

Morning

18th

Evening

19th

Morning

19th

Evening

20th

Morning

20th

Evening

21st

7th DUB

Morning

21st

Last DUB

Ends @

Sunset

As 22nd

Begins

Passover lamb is killed on the afternoon of the 14th approx. 3pm. FUB begins @ sunset. Last DUB ends @ sunset on 21st.

As you can see, the day starting in the evening scenario, makes much more sense and allows us to follow the command to observe the FUB starting on the 15^th as the 14^th is ending, and ending at sunset on the 21^st,beginning of the 22^nd.

Article stated:

Exodus 12:6-8
And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then all the assembly of the congregation of Yisra’el shall kill it between the evenings. ‘And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. ‘And they shall eat the flesh on that night, roasted in fire - with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.”
Note: This whole Festival takes place on the one day of the 14th, starting “between the evenings and continuing that night!

Answer: This statement has already been addressed.

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Article stated:

Some express difficulty in correlating the morning to morning reckoning with the Passover, yet the timing of this important festival is not defining when a day starts or ends; Yahweh simply wants us to honour the feast on the night of the 14th because that is the time He led His people out of Mitsrayim...
Deuteronomy 16:1
Guard the month of Abib, and perform the Passover to YHWH your Elohim, for in the month of Abib YHWH your Elohim brought you out of Mitsrayim by night.”
Deuteronomy 16:6
...you slaughter the Passover in the evening, at the going down of the sun, at the appointed time you came out of Mitsrayim.”

Answer: As we have already seen, the Passover lamb was killed on what we would call the afternoon of the 14^th and cooked and then eaten on the night of the 15^th. We know the Israelites left Mitzrayim on the same night they ate the lamb. Since they had to eat the lamb with unleavened bread, it only makes since that they left Mitsrayim on the night of the 15^th. Not the 14^th as some suggest. The following scripture bares this out.

EXODUS 12:8 "That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. 9 Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts. 10 Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. 11 This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover. 12 On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD." (NIV)

http://www.herealittletherealittle.net/index.cfm?page_name=First-Passover

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Article stated:

The Feast of unleavened Bread follows on from the Passover and we are also commanded to remove leaven from our homes from that night:
Exodus 12:18
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, in the evening, you shall eat unleavened bread until the twenty-first day of the month in the evening.

something to take into account: If someone keeps Pesach at the “beginning” of the 14th (end of the 13th), they sit with 8 days of unleavended bread, where the command is clear to eat unleavened bread from the eating of the Pesach for 7 days. Ex. 12:15, 19; 13:6,7; 23:15; 34:18; Lev. 23:6; Num. 28:17 ; Deut. 17:8. Most importantly:
Deuteronomy. 16: 2-3
And you shall slaughter the Passover to YHWH your Elohim, from the flock and the herd, in the place where YHWH chooses to put His Name. “Eat no leavened bread with it. For seven days you eat unleavened bread with it, bread of affliction…”
Note: This suggests that Pesach is the start of the 7 day unleavened bread period, which is a continuous 7 day period and not an 8 day period.

Answer: As was shown earlier, between the evenings occurs during the time that falls between noon and sunset. So we know that the lamb was killed at approximately 3pm on the 14^th. The night that naturally followed was the 15^th. The term on that night can and does in this instance mean the night just ahead or following. All the evidence thus far shows that the lamb had to be killed on the afternoon of the 14^th, cooked and eaten during the evening of the 15^th. This also corresponds to the time of the death of the Messiah who, according to Rabbi Shaul (Paul), became our Passover lamb. I will show this connection later.

1Co 5:7 Then purge out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For also Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us.(LITV)

The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus tells us that in the first century, before the destruction of the Temple, the Passover lambs were slaughtered "from the ninth hour till the eleventh" (6.9.3, The Wars of the Jews). This time corresponds to our 3:00-5:00 p.m. Obviously most of the Jews in Yahusha's day understood that "between the evenings" meant from the going down of the sun at noon until the setting of the sun at sunset. Therefore, they slaughtered the Passover lambs in the afternoon of 14 Abib (then called Nisan).

The fact that Yahusha never addressed the timing of the Passover observance, nor the observance of any of the sabbaths should tall us that the days were being observed correctly.

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Article stated:
Another apparent anomaly is:
Nehemyah 13:18-21
“Did not your fathers do the same so that our Elohim brought all this evil on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Yisra’el by profaning the Sabbath.” And it came to be, at the gates of Yerushalayim, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath. And I stationed some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day. And the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares spent the night outside Yerushalayim once or twice, and I warned them, and said to them, “Why do you spend the night around the wall? If you do so again, I lay hands on you!” From that time on they came no more on the Sabbath.

“As it began to be dark before the Sabbath” could infer that Sabbath starts when the sun goes down, but does not have to be the case. Against the weight of all other Scripture it would be foolish to base your Sabbath on this one verse. In fact, it was customary to close the gates at night and earlier in Nehemyah we see why they were closing the gates:
Nehemyah 7:3
"And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Yerushalayim be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are standing by, let them shut the doors and bolt them. And appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Yerushalayim, each at his post, and each in front of his own house.”
Nehemyah had ordered them to shut the gates at night anyhow and were not to be opened "until the sun was hot", and as we can see from the context of the Scripture, Nehemyah did not want the Sabbath profaned by merchants carrying in their wares and selling on the day of rest. The merchants undoubtedly travelled on the sixth day and arrived toward the end of the day, so Nehemyah simply shut the gates on them.

Answer: These scriptures not only infer that the Sabbath start at sunset. In light of all the evidence shown thus far they emphatically state it!

Article stated:
It should also be noted that this all took place after more than 150 years of captivity in

Babylon which, as stated is where the Yisra’elites had absorbed so many of the Babylonian traditions (see references below). This may well be the first account of an evening to evening Sabbath.

Answer: I believe we have seen sufficient evidence to prove this is not the case.

Article stated:

There are also a great number of Scriptures that declare uncleanliness till evening and certain events taking place before evening that give some the assumption that a day starts in the evening. None of these Scriptures actually state this, and is common sense to be made clean at evening so the persons may come into the camp to spend the night, as it was unlawful for an unclean person to come into the camp. More importantly, if the next day were a Sabbath an individual would not be able to participate in any set-apart assembly and would have to wait for the next evening.
Some see evidence that this is how the Pharisees, instituting an evening to evening day created a “fence law” around this.
It was for this reason that dead bodies were removed before evening (Josh 8:29, Mark 15:42) and that it was Commanded in the Torah (Deut 21:23) not because it was the start of a new day.
11 times) the Scriptures always use the order of day and night. Why would the Scriptures record a count of days starting with the "day" if a day starts with a night?

Answer: True, the fact that a person was unclean until evening may not prove when a day starts. But, it is notable that when a person becomes unclean for any reason, as far as my knowledge goes, they always have to wait until evening before they are allowed back into the camp. This does suggest a new day and forgiveness for the uncleanness. As far as the scriptures always counting days starting with the day. There are scriptures in the very first verses of Genesis that say otherwise; as was stated earlier.

Article stated:
Notice the order of the natural processes that Yahweh has ordered:
Genesis 8:22 "As long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.”

This is what Yahweh has to say about the order of day and night:
Jeremiah 33:20-21
“Thus said YHWH, ‘If you could break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there be not day and night in their season, then My covenant could also be broken...”

and continuing...

Jeremiah 33:25-26
“Thus said YHWH, ‘If My covenant is not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the laws of the heavens and earth, then I would also reject the descendants of Yaʽaqob...”

Answer: The context of these scriptures is either the permanence of the cycles of the earth. Or the fact that he will not forget the descendants of Israel. This has nothing to do with when the day starts.
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Matthew 28:1
Now after the Sabbath, toward dawn on the first day of the week, Miryam from Magdala and the other Miryam came to see the tomb.
Note: In all these examples the Sabbath ended at “dawn”

Mark 16:2
And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.

Luke 24:1
And on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared
Note: The account given in John is the only one that disagrees with these three witnesses - John 20:1 And on the first day of the week Miryam from Magdala came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. The fact that 1 out of 4 disagrees means the translation of “still”dark may need to be examined. The Greek word “eti” Strong's# 2089 can also mean “no longer”.

Answer: The following answer hopefully will show that first of all, these scriptures have been improperly translated into English. Secondly I will show that these verses do not support a sunrise to sunrise sabbath. Almost all English translations render the Greek phrases mian sabbaton, mias sabbaton, mia ton sabbaton, and prote sabbatou as "first day of the week." However, none of these Greek phrases can literally be translated that way.

MATTHEW 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week [mian sabbaton] began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. (NKJV)

MARK 16:2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week [mias sabbaton], they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. (NKJV)

MARK 16:2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week [mias sabbaton], they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. (NKJV)

LUKE 24:1 Now on the first day of the week [mia ton sabbaton], very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. (NKJV)

JOHN 20:1 On the first day of the week [mia ton sabbaton] Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. (NKJV)

　

In Greek, the phrase "first day of the week" is properly rendered protes hemeras tes hebdomados. Interestingly, the Greek word for "day" does not appear in any of the "first day of the week" verses in the New Testament.

If we look at a literal rendering of these phrases, we see that they would be better translated as "one of the Sabbaths" (mian sabbaton, mias sabbaton, and mia ton sabbaton), or "First Sabbath" (prote sabbatou).

In 1926, Greek scholar A.E. Knoch first published his Concordant Literal New Testament. The goal of Knoch's work was to eliminate doctrinal bias from the translation of the Greek New Testament into English. Let's see how he translated these same resurrection verses:

MATTHEW 28:1 Now it is the evening of the Sabbaths. At the lighting up into one of the Sabbaths [mian sabbaton] came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to behold the sepulcher. (CLNT)

MARK 16:2 And, very early in the morning on one of the Sabbaths [mias sabbaton], they are coming to the tomb at the rising of the sun. (CLNT)

LUKE 24:1 Now in the early depths of one of the Sabbaths [mia ton sabbaton], they, and certain others together with them, came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they make ready. (CLNT)

JOHN 20:1 Now, on one of the Sabbaths [mia ton sabbaton], Miriam Magdalene is coming to the tomb in the morning, there being still darkness, and is observing the stone taken away from the door of the tomb. (CLNT)

Note: None of these verses when translated properly show a sunrise to sunrise sabbath.

As you can see, in these Gospel accounts of the resurrection, Knoch (who was not a Sabbatarian) translated these passages to show that Yahusha was raised on "one of the Sabbaths," which Mark specifically called the "First Sabbath" (Mark 16:9). What would "one of the Sabbaths" or "First Sabbath" have meant to a 1st-century Jew? Was there such a thing that would have been understood by those living in Judea at that time?

Absolutely! As commanded by Yah in Leviticus 23:15-16, there were seven weekly Sabbaths between Passover and Pentecost that were to be counted every year:

LEVITICUS 23:15 "And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the [annual Passover] Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. 16 Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD. (NKJV)

At the time of Yahusha, the Jews counted seven weekly Sabbaths during a 50-day period starting from the 2nd day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread to determine when to celebrate Pentecost. In fact, the Greek word Pentekoste literally means "50th."

To a religious 1st-century Jew, mention of "one of the Sabbaths" during this period of counting would have automatically been understood as one of the seven weekly Sabbaths between Passover and Pentecost. In fact, the first weekly Sabbath after the Passover high Sabbath was known to the Jews as the "First Sabbath," as Johnston M. Cheney noted in his harmony of the Gospels:

Seven sabbaths were to be counted from the Feast of First-fruits or Passover. Consequently, these came to be known as "First Sabbath," "Second Sabbath" etc., down to the seventh. And according to Julian Morgenstern, former President of Hebrew University, this practice continued in Galilee till the time of Christ or the Common Era. It is still observed by some groups in Palestine today. Thus, there was an annual date known as "First Sabbath," just after Passover. (p. 230, The Life of Christ in Stereo)

"One of the Sabbaths," mentioned by all of the Gospel writers (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19), refers to this "First Sabbath" (Mark 16:9), the first weekly Sabbath after Passover! In fact, when English translators render the Greek phrases mian sabbaton, mias sabbaton, and mia ton sabbaton as "first day of the week," they do so without regard for proper Greek grammar. Unfortunately, human tradition has generally overridden the literal meaning of these Greek words.

At this point I will establish when the messiah was crucified and then when he was buried and resurrected. The available evidence, when viewed objectively, shows that Yahusha was buried late on Wednesday afternoon (Nisan 14) and resurrected early on the morning of the weekly Sabbath (Nisan 17), before sunrise.

LUKE 23:50 Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. 54 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. 55 And the women who had come with him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

LUKE 23:54 And the day was a preparation, and Sabbath was approaching, 55 and the women also who have come with him out of Galilee having followed after, beheld the tomb, and how his body was placed, 56 and having turned back, they made ready spices and ointments . . . (YLT)

LUKE 23:56b . . . And on the Sabbath, indeed, they rested, according to the command. 24:1 And on the first of the Sabbaths, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bearing the spices they made ready, and certain {others} with them, (YLT)

LUKE 23:56b And on the one hand, they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment; but on the other hand, on one of the Sabbaths, at deep dawn, they came to the tomb, bearing the spices which they prepared, and certain others with them, (literal translation)

Luke clearly states that the day on which Yahusha was buried was the Preparation, and the Sabbath was fast approaching. We know that when Messiah was nailed to the tree, it was daylight about 3pm, just at the same time the Passover lambs would have been being sacrificed.

Mat 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

The sixth hour of the day was noon. The ninth hour was 3pm. Notice that it was dark from the 6^th hour until the 9^th hour.

The contrast Luke wanted to point out to his readers is that between the Passover Sabbath (on which the women rested according to the commandment recorded in Lev. 23:6-7) and "one of the Sabbaths" (on which the women came to the tomb before sunrise to anoint Yahusha's body with spices).

LEVITICUS 23:6 "On the fifteenth day of that month the LORD's Feast of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast. 7 On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work." (NIV)

Understood properly, Luke 23:56b-24:1 tells us that there were two Sabbaths that week: the annual Passover Sabbath on Nisan 15 and "one of the [weekly] Sabbaths" (the first one) in the count from Passover to Pentecost:

LEVITICUS 23:15 "And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. 16 Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD." (NKJV)

Conclusion:

After considering all the evidence presented here in this article, I believe we have no choice but to acknowledge that the scriptures are in favor of the day stating in the evening. This is however, a subject that will no doubt cause much disagreement among brethren in the future. May Yahuah give us all a heart to be obedient to what he commands.

William M. Kimbrough

July 9^th, 2009