The

WATCHMEN BIBLE STUDY GROUP
Please remember to 'refresh' your browser to catch the latest updates on our page.
*Join our Mailing List and be notified when new study materials are posted!
Home Page @ www.biblestudysite.com

Appendixes To The Companion Bible

The "Three Days" and "Three Nights" of Matthew 12:40.
This Is Appendix 144 From The Companion Bible.
   The fact that "three days" is used by Hebrew idiom for any part of three days and three nights is not disputed; because that was the common way of reckoning, just as it was when used of years. Three or any number of years was used inclusively of any part of those years, as may be seen in the reckoning of the reigns of any of the kings of Israel and Judah.
   But, when the number of "nights" is stated as well as the number of "days", then the expression ceases to be an idiom, and becomes a literal statement of fact.
   Moreover, as the Hebrew day began at sunset the day was reckoned from one sunset to another, the "twelve hours in the day" (John 11:9) being reckoned from sunrise, and the twelve hours of the night from sunset. An evening-morning was thus used for a whole day of twenty-four hours, as in the first chapter of Genesis. Hence the expression "a night and a day" in 2 Corinthians 11:25 denotes a complete day (Greek nuchthemeron).
   When Esther says (Esther 4:16) "fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days", she defines her meaning as being three complete days, becuase she adds (being a Jewess) "night or day". And when it is written that the fast ended on "the third day" (5:1), "the third day" must have succeeded and included the third night.
   In like manner the sacred record states that the young man (in 1 Samuel 30:12) "had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights". Hence, when the young man explains the reason, he says, "because three days agone I fell sick". He means therefore three complete days and nights, because, being an Egyptian (verses 11, 13) he naturally reckoned his day as beginning at sunrise according to the Egyptian manner (see Encycl. Brit., 11th (Cambridge) ed., vol xi, page 77). His "three days agone" refers to the beginning of his sickness, and includes the whole period, giving the reason for his having gone without food during the whole period stated.
   Hence, when it says that "Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights" (Jonah 1:17) it means exactly what is says, and that this can be the only meaning of the expression in Matthew 12:40; 16:4. Luke 11:30, is shown in Appendix 156.
   In the expression, "the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:40), the meaning is the same as "the heart of the sea", "heart" being put by the Figure of Speech, Metonymy (of the Subject), Appendix 6, for "the midst", and is frequently so translated. See Psalm 46:2. Jeremiah 51:1. Ezekiel 27:4, 25, 26, 27; 28:2. It is used of ships when sailing "in the heart of the seas", that is to say, in, or on the sea. See Ezekiel 27:25, 26; 28:8; also of people dwelling in the heart of the seas, that is to say, on islands (Ezekiel 28:2). Jonah uses the Hebrew beten (= womb) in the same way (2:2).

Click here to make a personal comment to us at WBSG about this page

In His Service:
Nick Goggin
Watchmen Bible Study Group

* NOTE : While we do not in any way represent The Shepherds Chapel with Pastor Murray, it is where we at Watchmen Bible Study Group enjoy to study. If you would like to check it out, "The Shepherds Chapel" is on over 250 television stations in the United States, and can be found by that name in any TV guide. It is also on satellite: Galaxy 6 Trans 16. On Direct TV on channel #373 (The Word channel). Also on short wave radio: WHRI & KWHR from Indiana (17.780 MHz @ 0500-0600Hrs, 5.745 MHz @ 0700-0800 Hrs, 13.760 MHz @ 1700-1800Hrs. (All times Universal Time). They also have a website @: www.shepherdschapel.com. Introductory Offer: The Shepherd's Chapel has a free introductory package which includes the Mark of the Beast tape which is available to all new students - from the United States, Canada and Mexico call (800) 643-4645 or (501) 787-6026 or write to: The Shepherd's Chapel; P.O. Box 416, Gravette, AR 72736 USA.

Tell A Friend!
Type In Your Name: Type In Your E-mail: Your Friend's E-mail: Your Comments: Receive copy:

| To Top |

(End of page)

Watchman News hosts several archives of Bible studies such as these by the Watchmen Bible Study Group. Although we are not affiliated with this or numerous others using the term Watchman in their names, we believe it important keep the full content intact for research and analysis for Bible students of future generations. We keep it available as good members of the body of Christ, for Christian unity. We do so on a non-profit basis. As the original owner's site went offline years ago, no one has paid to keep it online but us. We pray and hope such ministries are more careful about having successors to carry on their works in the future. Although we do not agree on every point of doctrine, we still believe it very important to not edit any of the original contents. Our own statements of beliefs are found at www.CelticOrthodoxy.com, and for example in the book "7th Day Sabbath in the Orthodox Church" etc.