Jesus' 3 Days & 3 Nights

Most Christians believe that Jesus died on Friday at 3 pm and resurrected before sunrise Sunday (~ 6:00 AM Standard Time), which is elapsed time of 40 hours, less than 2 days; but Bible repeatedly says "3 days & 3 nights"

[Mat 12:40 KJV] "40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

Is "3 days & 3 nights" merely an idiom, a shorthand expression, that we mis-interpret, as it wasn't meant to be literal?

If Jesus died Friday at 3 PM, that might count for a part of a day for day #1, Friday night is night #1, Saturday day is day #2, Saturday night is night #2, Sunday morning is some part of day #3, but we are still missing a third night in this cockeyed accounting.  From Friday afternoon to Sunday sunrise, there is no reasonable interpretation to get 3 days & 3 nights.

In the Old Testament, Esther calls a fast for 3 days and three nights in Esther 4:16, so as to prepare for Esther going before the King.  In Esther 5:1, Esther goes before the King on the 3rd day (ie. not after the 3rd day is over).  Therefore to count properly, as defined by the Bible, we must have at least a part of the day or night to count it.

This same counting as Esther used is also used for the 8 days after birth for the male baby circumcision (Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3; Philippians 3:5); even if just a minute of a day remains, it counts as a full day.

This is similar to parking garage fees of today: $4 per hour, or any part thereof.  If you overstay by 1 minute, you pay for a full additional hour.

Even here, Friday 3 PM to Sunday sunrise cannot be stretched by any means, into 3 days and 3 nights.

Erroneous Explanation #1

Some people try to propose that the new day starts at sundown, and so then you have a part day on Friday, full 24 hrs for Saturday, and then assumes that Sunday starts at sundown Saturday, so that is allegedly "3 days". 

[Luk 23:54 KJV] 54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

The phrase "...and the sabbath drew on." (same Greek word, epiphōskō G2020 as Mat. 28:1 used) means that the night feast of Passover was coming to an end, and it was just before Saturday sunrise for the high sabbath of Unleavened Bread.  Therefore when Jesus was placed in his tomb "in the heart of the earth", Friday was well passed away, therefore we can't count any of Friday.

Therefore we only have part of Saturday to count, even worse than most realize.

Therefore, this is still not "3 days and 3 nights", so it also requires the misleading and erroneous explaining away of this biblical text as an idiom, so as to enshrine the customs of the Church Fathers.  This is strongly reject.

However, this mediocre explanation also creates numerous conflicts in the Bible, as I will show below.

Erroneous Explanation # 2

Others try to be creative with the definition of "heart of the earth", by conveniently re-defining it to mean "incarceration, judgement, crucifixion, death, burial) where he remained until his resurrection on Sunday morning".

Everybody agrees that Jesus was already risen before the dawn Sunday morning (Mat. 28:1).

Counting backwards, Sat. night is Night #3, Sat. day is Day #3, Friday night is Night #2, Friday day is Day #2, Thurs. night is Night #1, Wed. day is Day #1.  Therefore Jesus would have to be in His tomb on or before sunrise Wednesday morning.

Therefore the Last Supper was Monday evening.  Jesus was arrested on Monday evening.  Preparation Day (before Passover starting at sundown) would be Tuesday.  Jesus was crucified on Tuesday Preparation Day, and died at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, and was in His tomb just before sunrise on Wednesday morning.

That's certainly different from a standard Good Friday dogma.

Erroneous Explanation #3

Many suggest that Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday, so as to create 3 full days and 3 full nights, then resurrection on Sunday morning at or before sunrise Sunday morning.  I know, I used to be in this camp.

This assumption is defeated by the actions of the women.  They were highly motivated to do everything possible to honor Jesus.

If we assume Jesus died at 3 PM Wednesday, then the gaining of permission to collect His body, arranging for the tomb, it all took precious time.  As we see above, Luke 23:54 says they got Jesus into the tomb before sunrise the next day after His crucifixion.  There was insufficient time to properly care for His body.  Passover started at sundown Wednesday, the day Jesus died, and continued till sunrise the next day, when the high sabbath Unleavened Bread began.  If the men barely got Jesus in the tomb before sunrise Thursday, and no work is allowed on the high sabbath Thursday, the women were barred from doing their duty immediately, they had to wait.  On Friday, they could have washed and properly buried Jesus, but the didn't, they waited till Sunday sunrise.

Why wouldn't the women due their loving duty for Jesus' body on Friday, rather than Sunday?

It is suggested that the crucifixion did not occur on a Wednesday.

 

What is the truth?

I suggest Jesus was crucified on Preparation Day, dying at 3 pm (ie. the 9th hour, by ancient Biblical reckoning), with Passover beginning at sundown on that same Preparation Day.

Based solely on the Bible, I suggest Jesus died on Nisan 14, Preparation Day, which is likely equivalent  to Thursday April 15, 32 AD, according to today's Gregorian calendar system.

We assume 32 AD, as there was a Blood Moon Triad on the high Jewish holidays that year, and the Sun and Moon are in Aries in that year.

We assume Nisan 14 as that is the biblical date for Passover, and April 15th would be the Full Moon in that year according to NASA astrological model calculations.

The sequence of events, according to the Bible is:

• Jesus asks the disciples to make preparations for Passover, as a group in the Upper Room, in Jerusalem.
• Disciples prepare the Upper Room.
• On Wednesday evening, Jesus & disciples gather in the Upper Room for the Last Supper, communion, exposure of a traitor, footwashing.
• Judas leaves early so as to betray Jesus
• Jesus and 3 disciples retire to the garden to pray and watch.
• Judas returns late Wednesday night with soldiers, so as to betray Jesus, then arrest him.
• Jesus taken to the Chief Priest's residence, Peter follows.
• Jesus is questioned, accused, mocked, & assaulted.  Peter denies Jesus 3 times, then the cock crows as the sunrise approaches Thursday morning.
• Jesus is taken to Pontius Pilot, then Harrod, then back to Pilot, then sentenced to death by crucifixion at noon Thursday, which is Preparation Day, before Passover begins at sundown.
• Jesus is beaten, flogged, and mocked.
• Jesus dies at about 3 PM Thursday, Preparation Day, prior to Passover at sundown.
• Jesus' followers seek permission to receive Jesus' dead body.
• Passover begins at sundown Thursday.
• During Thursday night (Passover night), Jesus' body is eventually taken down off the cross, then transported to the tomb.  
• Jesus is in His tomb, the heart of the Earth, on or just before Friday sunrise, as Passover is coming to an end, and the High Sabbath of Unleavened Bread is about to begin, in accordance with Luke 23:54.
• Roman guards arrive and seal the tomb door Friday morning, during the High Sabbath of Unleavened Bread.
• Jesus' body rests in His tomb for 2 full days and a few moments of a third day, so as to meet the same Biblical definition of  3 days & 3 nights, as used by Esther, and for circumcision.
• Jesus is resurrected on or before sunrise on Sunday morning.

Jesus died at 3 PM (ie. Biblical 9th hour), at exactly the correct time, with all of the Passover lambs.

Josephus tells us that 256,500 animal were typically sacrificed at the Jerusalem Temple between the 9th and 11th hour on Preparation Day (Bellum Jud., Book VI, Chapter 9, Verse 3), https://penelope.uchicago.edu/josephus/war-6.html ) so Jesus died  right on-time as a Sacrificial Lamb of God.

Jesus' gave up the Ghost while on the cross at 3:00 PM.  

Psalm 68:18; Zechariah 9:11;1 Pet 3:18-19, 1 Pet. 4:6, and a few other verses allude to Jesus entering the underworld (ie. "Harrowing of Hades") so as to preach His Gospel to those who died before He did, and those that accept the Gospel and believe in Him, He raised to Heaven with Himself.  This may count for time served in the "heart of the Earth".

Therefore, counting from the moment of Jesus' death, Thursday afternoon is a part day, counting as Day #1 per Esther's counting method.  Thurs. night is Night #1.  Friday day is Day #2, Friday night in Night #2.  Sat. day is Day #3.  Sat. night is Night #3.  Therefore we have 3 days and 3 nights, fully meeting Jesus' self-prophecy of Mat. 12:40, if counted by Esther's count method.

On the Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:21 gives the sole Biblical account of Jesus speaking to a group of men on their way to Emmaus, shortly after Jesus rose from the dead. 

[Luk 24:21 KJV] "21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done."

What is all included in "... these things..."?

Verse 14 says: "...all these things which had happened."

Verse 19 adds: "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:"

Verse 20 adds: "...And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him."

Not expressly mentioned in Luke, the Bible described also:

• Mat 27:51 the ripping of the Temple veil, the darkness, & the earthquake.
  
  
• Mat 62:62-66 going to Pilot on the High Holy Day of Unleavened Bread (ie. after Passover was over), and the securing of permission for the Roman guard and seal on the stone door for Jesus' tomb.

 It is clearly stated in Luke 24:21 that today (Sunday, First day of the week) is the third day since "these things".

Jesus resurrected slightly before sunrise on Sunday morning.  This road to Emmaus conversation with Jesus was likely sometime Sunday morning, shortly after Jesus had risen.

In other words, today (Sunday) is the 3rd. day since, yesterday (Saturday) was the 2nd day since, day before yesterday (Friday) was the 1st day since, and Thursday is the "day of these things".  

Therefore again, the crucifixion, death, & burial of Jesus Christ must have occurred on Thursday.

God's Day Starts at Sunrise

Luke 23:53-54 tells us that Jesus was placed in His tomb just before sunrise of the High Sabbath Unleavened Bread, which most likely occurred as of sunrise Friday morning, at first light.  Multiples proofs provided above.

[Luk 23:53-54 KJV] 53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. 54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

Here are the same verses with Strong's Numbers turned on:

[Luk 23:53-54 KJV] 53 And[G2532] he took[G2507][G0] it[G846] down,[G2507] and wrapped[G1794] it[G846] in linen,[G4616] and[G2532] laid[G5087] it[G846] in[G1722] a sepulchre[G3418] that was hewn in stone,[G2991] wherein[G3757] never[G3756] man[G3764] before[G3762] was[G2258] laid.[G2749] 54 And[G2532] that day[G2250] was[G2258] the preparation,[G3904] and[G2532] the sabbath[G4521] drew on.[G2020]

As you can see, "drew on" in KJV is the English translation for Strong's G2020.

Note in the Bible's Greek source text, Luke used the word "epiphosko", Strong's G2020, meaning "to dawn, begin, shine forth; used of the reckoned commencement of the day, to be near commencing, to dawn on.  G2020 is only used twice in the Bible: Mat 28:1, Lk. 23:54; 

Both of these verses also help prove that God's day begins at sunrise, not at sunset as practiced by Jews & Muslims today.

It is suggested that the Jewish & Muslim custom of starting a day at sundown is a relic adopted from Babylon, thus becoming a "custom of the elders", rather that being compliant with the Bible.

Ref.:  R.A. Parker & W.H. Dubberstein, Babylonian Chronology, Providence, R.I., 1956, 
https://webspace.science.uu.nl/~gent0113/babylon/downloads/babylonian_chronology_pd_1956.pdf 

If God's day truly began at sunset, then it could not still be Preparation Day as it dawned towards the sabbath (ie. the High Sabbath of Unleavened Bread), as declared in Luke 23:54.  

Similarly, if God's day truly began at sunset, it could not still be Sabbath as it dawned towards the first day of the week, as described in Mat. 28:1.

In the alternative, both Mat. 28:1 and Luke 23:53-54 are exactly true and fully correct if God's day begins at sunrise.

I believe the Bible is God-breathed, written by men as inspired by God.  God promised to protect His word from corruption, or passing away.  Therefore, the Bible is one of our few sources of truth; most everything else is frail human opinions, often biased, coloured, or deceived.  

For 13 additional proofs that God's day begins at sunrise, see:
https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-day-when-does-it-start.html?m=1

Mat. 28:1 tells us that the women came to wrap the body of Jesus early on Sunday morning, just before sunrise, but Jesus' body was already gone, as He had risen.

From Friday sunrise to Sunday sunrise is exactly 3 days & 3 nights in the heart of the earth, exactly as Jesus said He would.

Please explain the above to every Christian you can find, so that they know the truth.

***   Updated 2025-04-04, 2025-4-22   ***

Index:   God's Day:  When does it Start?

Part 1 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-day-when-does-it-start.html   
2019-5-17

Part 2 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-day-when-does-it-start-2.html   
2019-5-27

Part 3 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-day-when-does-it-start-part-3-of-3.html   2019-5-27

Part 4 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/09/start-of-gods-day-at-sunrise-part-4.html   
2019-9-28

Part 5 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2022/08/start-of-gods-day-part-5.html 
2022-08-22

Part 6:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2024/04/jesus-3-days-3-nights.html   
2024-4-21

Part 7:   https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2026/09/gods-day-starts-at-sunrise-part-7.html

2026-9-4

Start of God's Day, Part 5

This is Part 5 of the answers on when does God's day start (sunrise or sunset)?  

See:   Part 1,  Part 2,  Part 3,  Part 4

So far, I have offered 12 witnesses from Bible verses.  Today, I offer the 13th witness, Genesis 1:1 - 2:3.

13th Witness

Below are the verses of Genesis 1:1 - 2:3 where God describes His first 7 days of creation.

There is some dispute as to when God's day begins.  To help analyze this issue and discover God's hidden truth, I suggest there are 4 to 5 possible moments in time when God's day ends, and the next day of God will begin.

After the sun sets, it gets dark quickly.  The moment when the night is darkest is at some moment after sunset, but before sunrise.  That darkest moment depends on the phase of the moon (ie. New moon, waxing, full moon, waning), and the time of moonrise and moonset, and varies for each day of the year.

Wild animals naturally detect the change from evening to morning.  Their activity tends to follow these light levels.  Animals that are active during daylight hours tend to start greater activity in the morning, have maximum activity during the day, and start settling down before sunset, then have a period of minimum activity during the evening, including sleep.  After evening has passed, the cycle begins again with morning for the next day.

In Genesis, God uses the terms day, night, evening, and morning.

We believe the Bible defines itself.  Therefore if we properly read the Bible, each of these terms should be self-evident how they are defined.

In this manner, I have concluded, and suggest you consider, the following definitions:

Evening: the period of time from after the sun is fully set until the moment of darkest night.

Morning:  the period of time from the moment of darkest night until the sun starts to rise.

Sunrise:  the moment of time when the first direct rays of sun can be seen by an observer on the surface of the Earth with an unobstructed view of the horizon where the sun will rise.

Sunset:   the moment of time when the last direct rays of sun can be seen by an observer on the surface of the Earth with an unobstructed view of the horizon where the sun is setting.

Daylight Hours:  the elapsed time that begins at sunrise, and continues to sunset; defined by God as "Day" in Genesis 1:5.  See also the definition of "Day"

Night Hours:  the elapsed time that begins after sunset, which includes evening and morning, and ends just before sunrise.  See also the definition "Night"

Day:  

Def'n #1:   an elapsed period of time that includes both Daylight Hours and Night Hours (ie. sunset, evening, morning, and sunrise); that is 24 clock hours in duration, more or less.  

Def'n #2:   Day is also defined by God in Genesis 1:5 as the period of time which has the light.

Night:  defined by God in Genesis 1:5 as the duration of time without the light.  See also the definition of "Night Hours".

Based on these definitions, when does God's day begin?  

I suggest that God's day likely begins at:

A:   sunrise, or

B:   midnight (Gregorian-Roman time standard), or

C:  sunset (current Jewish and Muslim tradition).

I think it is obvious that God wouldn't choose the same as Pope Gregory XIII of the Roman Catholic Church in 1582 ( ie. Choice "B: midnight"), as God had made His choice well before that, and God never changes, and Pope Gregory obviously wasn't interested in what the Holy Bible said, as he was more interested in pontificating (eg. Year starts in January, rather than the biblical Spring start after Spring Equinox; October means 8 th month in Latin language, but it is now 10th month; similar for Nov. & Dec.; days of the week are named after idols or witchcraft, etc.).    

We are therefore left with two remaining possibilities:  sunrise or sunset.

I have placed 4 or 5 options (ie. Logical cases; C01, C02, C03, C04, or C05) as to the exact possible moment of God's day ending (and the simultaneous beginning of the next day) at the key places in the Genesis text.

Your task is to choose the exact moment in the Genesis text, when one day ends, and the next day begins.

If the above definitions (ie. evening, morning, sunrise, sunset, dalight, night) conflict with your choices, you can supply your alternative definitions and your corresponding choice of when you think God divides between two days.

### Genesis 1:1 - 2:3

[Gen 1:1 KJV] "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

[Gen 1:2 KJV] "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."

[Gen 1:3 KJV] "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light."

[Gen 1:4 KJV] "And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness."

[Gen 1:5 KJV] "And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. 

C01: end of day1

And the evening

C02: end of day1

and the morning

C03: end of day1

were the first day."

C04: end of day1

[Gen 1:6 KJV] "And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters."

[Gen 1:7 KJV] "And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so."

[Gen 1:8 KJV] "And God called the firmament Heaven." 

C01:  end of day2

"And the evening"

C02: end of day2

"and the morning"

C03: end of day2

"were the second day."

C04: end of day2

[Gen 1:9 KJV] "And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so."

[Gen 1:10 KJV] "And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good."

[Gen 1:11 KJV] "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so."

[Gen 1:12 KJV] "And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."

C01: end of day3

[Gen 1:13 KJV] "And the evening"

C02: end of day3

"and the morning"

C03: end of day3

"were the third day."

C04: end of day3

[Gen 1:14 KJV] "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:"

[Gen 1:15 KJV] "And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so."

[Gen 1:16 KJV] "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also."

[Gen 1:17 KJV] "And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,"

[Gen 1:18 KJV] "And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good."

C01: end of day4

[Gen 1:19 KJV] "And the evening"

C02: end of day4

"and the morning"

C03: end of day4

"were the fourth day."

C04:  end of day4

[Gen 1:20 KJV] "And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven."

[Gen 1:21 KJV] "And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good."

[Gen 1:22 KJV] "And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth."

C01: end of day5

[Gen 1:23 KJV] "And the evening"

C02:  end of day5

"and the morning"

C03:  end of day5

"were the fifth day."

C04: end of day5

[Gen 1:24 KJV] "And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so."

[Gen 1:25 KJV] "And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good."

[Gen 1:26 KJV] "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

[Gen 1:27 KJV] "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

[Gen 1:28 KJV] "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

[Gen 1:29 KJV] "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."

[Gen 1:30 KJV] "And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so."

[Gen 1:31 KJV] "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good."

C01:  end of day6

"And the evening"

C02:  end of day6

"and the morning"

C03:  end of day6

"were the sixth day."

C04:  end of day6

[Gen 2:1 KJV] "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, 

C05:  end of day6

"and all the host of them."

C06: end of day6

[Gen 2:2 KJV] "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made."

C01:  end of day7

[Gen 2:3 KJV] "And God blessed the seventh day, 

C02:  end of day7

"and sanctified it:"

C03:  end of day7

"because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."

C04: end of day7

Conclusion & Request

I seek the truth; God's truth.

I suggest, and have chosen for myself and my family that "C04" is the only correct possibility for the start of God's day.

God says 2 or 3 witnesses are sufficient to prove a matter.  I have provided 13 proofs due to the epidemic of stiff necks suffered by the vast majority.

While this issue is extremely important to God, most people couldn't care less, preferring to follow non-Biblical traditions, &/or the majority.

That's likely why God allows the straight, wide path to Hell to exist, and focuses on the small Remnant that is willing to think, fear God, love God, follow God, and eagerly obey His commandments.

In John 14:15, Jesus ssid "if you love me, keep My commandments."

Are you fully aware of the consequences for not loving Jesus Christ?

However, if I am wrong, I need to discover my error, and continue to search for God's truth on this issue.

Based on the above, if you have alternate decisions and beliefs and definitions, please provide your alternative suggestions to us in the comments below, complete with detailed logic and objective evidence (ie. Bible verses) so I can readily understand your suggestion.

###   Update #1   2024-4-22   ###

I found another Biblical proof (total 14 now) that God's day begins at sunrise, hidden in the Greek "epiphosko", Strong's G2020, in the Book of Luke.

See:   https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2024/04/jesus-3-days-3-nights.html 

###   End Update #1   ###

Index:   God's Day:  When does it Start?

Part 1 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-day-when-does-it-start.html   
2019-5-17

Part 2 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-day-when-does-it-start-2.html   
2019-5-27

Part 3 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-day-when-does-it-start-part-3-of-3.html  2019-5-27

Part 4 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/09/start-of-gods-day-at-sunrise-part-4.html   
2019-9-28

Part 5 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2022/08/start-of-gods-day-part-5.html
2022-08-22

Part 6:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2024/04/jesus-3-days-3-nights.html   
2024-4-21

Start of God's Day at Sunrise, Part 4 of 5

### Posting revised on 2019-11-2, see below ###

I thought I was done as of Part 3 of 4, but I found more evidence that God's day begins at sunrise, so here we go with Part 4.

Seventh Witness

In Genesis 15:1-18 where Abram does his part of the covenant during the day (birds are flying), then he was left waiting for God to respond.  Dusk comes, then sunset, then Abram falls into a deep sleep, then God responded to Abram's sacrifice.  In Verse 15:17, the Bible confirms that the sun has gone down and it was dark.
In Verse 15:18, the Bible says "In the same day, God made a covenant with Abram..."

When the Bible says "in the same day...", which day is it referring to?  It can only be referring to the daylight hours when Abram was sacrificing the animals in the light of day, and chasing away the scavengers.

Between when Abram laid out the sacrifice till God offered the covenant in Verse 15:18, there was a sunset.  If the day runs from sunset to sunset, then the sacrifice was on one day, and the covenant in Verse 15:18 after the sun went down would be on the next day.

Note that the Bible DOES NOT say "In the next day, God made a covenant with Abram...".  The Bible DOES SAY "In the same day, God made a covenant with Abram..."

The only way for those two events could be within the same day if for the sundown not to be the demarcation point between this day and the next.  That means the demarcation point is sunrise to sunrise.

In other words, Abram does the sacrifice in the day, then sunset and dark, then God does His part of Covenant in the same day, even though sunset occurred between the 2 parts, so sundown doesn't separate 1 day from another.

All other Bible verses could be reasonably interpreted as both cases, sunrise or sunset, so they do not help decide this issue.

Eigth Witness

Ancient Babylon practiced a lunar calendar, with the day running from sundown to sundown.  The corrupted calendar of Rabbinic Jews of today uses Babylonian names for the months (contrary to the Bible), say the year started in September/October like the Babylonians (contrary to Bible-based Spring of the Year), and likely the corrupted sundown to sundown day definition.

Ninth Witness

The ninth witness is God. God likes those who rise early in the morning to pray. God also says we are children of the light, which is the day.

Tenth Witness

The 10th witness is human nature.  We humans rise refreshed from sleep and start a new day at or about dawn, as do most animals. Few people start their day at sundown, usually only when forced to do so by job and/or employers, or criminals (who are children of the dark).

Eleventh Witness

In the year, there are 4 seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter.  In God's calendar, the new year begins in the Spring, at the vernal Spring Equinox.  Most governments begin their new financial year in the Spring (April 1st).  In our day, there are 4 "seasons" too:  Sunrise, day, sunset, and night.  There is an analogy here, comparing the day to the year.  If we start the new year at Spring, which of the 4 periods of the day would be equivalent to Spring?  Obviously, sunrise is the equivalent of Spring.  Therefore this witness says the day starts at sunrise.



### Begin Update #1, added 2019-11-2 ###

Twelfth Witness

In Exodus 12:1-51, God commands, Moses hears and transmits God's commandments, then the Hebrews obey by holding their first Passover.  The relevant Bible passage is long, so I'll summarize the key points below:

12 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying,2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord's passover.12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.23 For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said.32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:36 And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.42 It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.43 And the Lord said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the Lord did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

The summary of key points in Exodus 12 are as follows:

• In Verse 6, on the 14th day of the 1st month, they are to take their blemish-free lamb, they kill the lamb in the evening, and collect its blood.
   
• The word "evening" is Hebrew word "ereb", (Strong's H6153), and is used in numerous place in the Bible:
• In Genesis 8:11, the dove comes back to Noah in the evening.  No dove flies in the pitch black of night, so evening would be best translated as "dusk".
   
• In Genesis 19:1, Lot meets two angels at the city gate.  All city gates are closed for security around sundown, so again the best translation would be "dusk", around sundown, before the city gates are closed.
   
• In Genesis 24:11, Abraham's servant watered the camels at the well outside city walls in the evening when the women came to the well to fetch water.  Women would not be outside the city gates after sundown as the gates would be closed, so again evening is best translated as "dusk", around sundown.
   
• In Genesis 24:63 Isaac went out to the field to meditate in the evening, and saw the  camels coming.  It would be difficult or impossible to be outside the city in the fields at night, and camels in the distance would be difficult or impossible to see.  Therefore dusk is again the best translation of "evening".
   
• Dusk (also known as twilight) is usually between the half hour before sunset, and the half hour after sunset.  Before dusk begins, it is the day.  After the sun sets, it is night.  In the 30 minutes immediately after sunset, it is simultaneously dusk and night.
    
• In Verse 8, God commands that they should roast and eat the slaughtered lamb "that night".  Night is differentiated from evening.  Night is after sunset, either dusk or when it's dark, city gates are closed, and you can't see outside without artificial light from a lamp, a fire, or a full moon.  In other words, slaughter in the late afternoon, then immediately roast and eat the lamb in the same night.
   
• In Verse 10, God instructs that nothing of the roast lamb must remain by morning (ie. sunrise).  All unconsumed meat has to be thrown into the fire on or before sunrise.
   
• In Verse 11, God commands it to be a "take-out" meal, eaten while standing, fully dressed, fully ready to depart at any second.  You are to eat in haste.  This is not a leisurely 12 course meal while lounging on couches like Egyptian pharaohs.  You must wolf your food down, as if your next bite will be your last.
   
• In Verse 12, God shares His plan that He will pass through that same night, killing all of Egypt's first born (humans &animal).
   
• In Verses 14-17, God describes the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread share the common feature of eating only unleavened bread.
   
• In Verses 17-18, God says Feast of Unleavened Bread is 7 days, from the evening of the 14th, to the evening of the 21st day of the month.  I drew a chart to illustrate this,see Figure 1 below.  You will see that Unleavened Bread Festival isn't "Passover plus 7 additional days", the 7 days INCLUDES Passover.  This interpretation that the Festival of Unleavened Bread is 7 days duration (which includes Passover within these 7 days) is confirmed by Mark 14:12 and Luke 22:7.  Click on the diagram for a full size version of the diagram.

  

  Figure 1:   Timing for Passover & Unleavened Bread Festival

• In Verse 22, Moses instructs Israelites to spread the blood on the door posts, then go inside, close the door, roast & eat your Passover lamb, and don't come out until morning.
   
• In Verse 29, the Bible describes how the Destroyer Angel came at midnight on Passover night and killed all the firstborn of Egypt.
   
• In Verse 30, we learn that Pharaoh and all other Egyptian households rose up during the night and found their firstborn (whether human &/or animal) were dead.
   
• In Verse 31-32, Pharaoh called for Moses & Aaron during the night that all of Israel was to leave Egypt.Following God's commandments, we assume nobody came out to answer Pharaoh's call before sunrise of the next day.
   
• In Verse 33-36, we learn all of Egypt was anxious to have the Hebrews out of Egypt as soon as possible.  The Egyptians gave the Hebrews much gold, silver, cloth, and whatever else the Hebrews needed for their journey.
   
• Verses 37 tells that the Israelites left Egypt.  Verses 37, 38, 40,and 41 are concerning the packing up and leaving of Egypt.  Verse 39 describes how it came to be that the Israelites had unleavened dough when leaving Egypt, which they subsequently baked after having left Egypt.
   
• Verse 42 celebrates the night that the Israelites leave Egypt.
   
• "Selfsame day" is used in Exodus 12:17, 41, and 51 to describe everything happening in the same day.  In Verse 17, there is a defined linkage between Feast of Unleavened Bread and the day the Israelites left Egypt.  In Verse 41, there is a linkage between leaving Egypt exactly 430 years after entering.  In Verse 51, the linkage is not totally clear.  It appears that Exodus 12:51 ("...the selfsame day, that the Lord did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies....") repeats Exodus 12:17 (..."this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt...") for dramatic effect. Verses 17 and 51 seem to form a link between the first day of Unleavened Bread, Passover, death of all Egyptian firstborn, and the Israelites leaving Egypt.
   
• Note in Figure 1 above, there are two different usages of "day".  There  the calendar days, from the 14th day of the month to the 21st day of the month.  There is also the 24 hours of elapsed time (ie. a 24 hr day of elapsed time), whether it be all within the same calendar day, or spread over 2 different calendar days.  Passover and Unleavened Bread run from evening to evening, not aligned with the calendar day.  Why God chose this timing is unclear, but it is solely God's right to do so.
   
• Counting in elapsed time:
• Passover is from sundown to the following sunrise, approximately 12 hours in duration.
• Unleavened Bread is 7 days in duration.
• Counting in calendar days, assuming the day starts at sunrise:
• Passover is approx. 12 hours duration on the 14th day of the first month.
• Unleavened Bread is 7 days in duration, spread over 8 different calendar days (14th to 21st).
• Counting in calendar days, assuming the day starts at sunset:
• Passover is approx. 12 hours duration on the 15th day of the first month.
• Unleavened Bread is 7 days in duration, spread over 7 different calendar days (15th to 21st).

In Exodus 14:8, we learn:

"And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand."

In Numbers 33:3, the Bible says:

"And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians."

From this, we know the Israelites left the Egyptian city of Rameses on the 15th day, a day after when the Passover lamb was killed on the 14th.  The Egyptians could see the Israelites, so it wasn't in the dark of night.

Deut 16:1 says:

"Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night."

Here we learn that the Israelites left Egypt at night.

 Deut 16:6 says:

"But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt."

Here we learn that the lamb is sacrificed at even (ie. evening), at the going down of the sun.  Note that the sun is "going down", it's still in the process of setting, as contrasted with "after the sun has set".  This again is before sunset, and at dusk.  After the sun has set would be night.

The Jews of today define the start of the day as sunset, not sunrise.  Exactly when does the day start?  Dawn is before you can see any part of the sun.  The sun has risen when you can see any part of the sun.  The sun has set when you can no longer see any part of the sun.  Sunset is the earliest possible start of the day, and when 3 or more stars are visible in the night sky as the latest possible start of the next day, and the period in-between these two moments of time is "iffy".

Putting all of these verses together, like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, we get the following two possible cases:

• If we assume the day starts at sundown:
• The Passover lamb is slaughtered as the sun is going down on the 14th day, which is before sunset so as to comply with Exodus 12:6, and Deut 16:6.
   
• As soon as the sun sets, or after 3 stars are visible in the night sky, it's now the 15th day and Passover has started; as compliant with our assumption that the day starts at sundown, and Exodus 12:8.
   
• The Passover lamb is roasted and eaten on the night of the 15th day of the month.  This is compliant with Exodus 12:8 and Deut 16:6.
   
• The Israelites stay locked inside their houses till dawn on the 15th day, so as to comply with Exodus 12:22.
   
• After dawn on the 15th, the Israelites can come outside, then start borrowing gold, silver, cloth, animals, and whatever else they need for their trip, getting all of it from their grieving Egyptians neighbours so as to comply with Exodus 12:35-36.  These same neighbours want the Israelites out of Egypt as soon as possible, as stated in Exodus 12:33.
   
• The Israelites must leave the city of Rameses in sufficient light so the Egyptians can see them leave with high hands (ie. waving good-bye ?) so as to comply with Numbers 33:3.  Therefore the Israelites must leave in the morning or afternoon daylight period of the 15th day, or in the evening of the 15th before sunset.  If they were to leave after sunset, it would be the 16th day, violating Numbers 33:3.
   
• However Deut 16:1 and Exodus 12:42 says that the Israelites left Egypt in the night.  Leaving in the night means they would have left after sundown.  There is adequate light to clearly see from sundown till 30 minutes after sundown; after which it's too dark to see without artificial light, fire, or full moon. Remember, this isn't one person standing next to you in moonlight, as Exodus 12:37 tells us there were 600,000 men, so we can probably assume 600,000 women, and maybe 1.2 million children (likely many more), so at least 2.4 million people in total.  Crowd estimation techniques usually assume between 1 to 7 people per sq. m., averaging 2.5 people per sq. m..  This means the Israelite crowd leaving Egypt would be 979 m x 979 m, or 0.98 sq. km.  At sundown, you'd see the whole crowd, but 30 minutes later, you'd only see those people immediately in front of you, or nothing at all (depending upon the moonlight available).
   
• Therefore this case is self-conflicting because Numbers 33:3 requires Israelites to leave before sunset, but Deut 16:1 and Exodus 12:42 require the Israelites to leave after sunset (ie. in the night), a conflict that cannot be resolved.  Therefore the initial assumption fails, as it does not meet all of the Biblical requirements.   Let's try a different starting assumption.
   

If we assume the day starts at sunrise:

• The Passover lamb is slaughtered as the sun is going down on the 14th day, which is before sunset so as to comply with Exodus 12:6, and Deut 16:6.
   
• As soon as the sun sets Passover has started on the 14th day of the month; as compliant with our assumption that the day starts at sunrise, and Exodus 12:8.
   
• The Passover lamb is roasted and eaten on the night of the 14th day of the month.  This is compliant with Exodus 12:8 and Deut 16:6.
   
• The Israelites stay locked inside their houses till dawn.  Once the sun rises, it is now the 15th day of the month (per our starting assumption), and the Israelites can now come out, so as to comply with Exodus 12:22.
   
• After the Israelites come out of their house on the 15th, they start borrowing gold, silver, cloth, animals, and whatever else they need for their trip, getting all of it from their grieving Egyptians neighbours so as to comply with Exodus 12:35-36.  These same neighbours want the Israelites out of Egypt as soon as possible, as stated in Exodus 12:33.
   
• The Israelites must leave the city of Rameses in sufficient light so the Egyptians can see them leave with high hands (ie. waving good-bye ?) so as to comply with Numbers 33:3.  Therefore the Israelites must leave in the morning or afternoon daylight period of the 15th day, or in the evening of the 15th before sunset, or in the 30 minutes of dusk light between sundown and full night.  If they were to leave after sunrise the next day (ie. on the 16th day), this would violate Numbers 33:3.
   
• However Deut 16:1 and Exodus 12:42 says that the Israelites left Egypt in the night.  Leaving in the night means they would have left after sundown.  There is adequate light to clearly see from sundown till 30 minutes after sundown; after which it's too dark to see without artificial light, fire, or full moon.  This isn't one person standing next to you in moonlight, as Exodus 12:37 tells us there were 600,000 men, so we can probably assume 600,000 women, and maybe 1.2 million children (likely many more), so at least 2.4 million people in total.  Crowd estimation techniques usually assume between 1 to 7 people per sq. m., averaging 2.5 people per sq, meter.  This means the Israelite crowd leaving Egypt would be 979 m x 979 m, or 0.98 sq. km.  At sundown, you'd see the whole crowd, but 30 minutes later, you'd only see those people immediately in front of you, or nothing at all (depending upon the moonlight available), thereby violating Numbers 33:3.
   
• Therefore so as to satisfy Numbers 33:3, Deut 16:1, and Exodus 12:42, the Israelites must have left the city of Rameses Egypt between sundown on the 15th day of the 1st month, and 30 minutes after sundown, thereby leaving in the night.
   
• This case and its starting assumption (ie. day starts at sunrise) is totally compliant with all Bible verses.
   
• This case again proves that God's day starts at sunrise.

### End Update #1, 2019-11-2 ###

### Begin Update #2, 2021-05-24 ###

[Exo 14:24 KJV] "[24] And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,"

When God was leading the Israelites out of Egypt, God had His cloud by day and His pillar of fire at night.  In Exodus 14:24, God looked out upon the host (ie. crowd) of Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud.  In this specific moment of time (ie. during the "morning watch"), there was both the pillar of fire, plus the cloud.

There were 4 watches during the dark hours (from sunset of the previous day, to sunrise of the next day).  The morning watch would be the 4th watch, the last watch before the sun rises.

Therefore "morning", or the "morning watch" is defined as the period when the sun is brightening up the night, just before the sun rises.

*** End of Update #2, 2021-05-24 ***

Summary

This Biblical research is important so that we can correctly fulfill our obligations to "Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy...", and also the Holy Convocations which are also declared as Sabbaths by the Bible.  If we don't get the clock and calendar correct, we will profain the holy, and perform holy ordinances upon regular or unclean days and times.

The Bible says we only need 2 or 3 witnesses.  For the longest time, I had zero witnesses.  Fortunately, more and witnesses came forward from my research, and that of others.  Even though the "Customs of the Elders" is extremely strong, is not 10 witnesses enough to change even the most closed off mind?

If 10 witnesses are still not enough for you, then the Holy Spirit has obviously vacated you out of frustration, leaving behind the eternally arrogant, empty shell of a human behind.  God has left you with your strong delusion, and nothing can help you.  You are doomed to chronic, unrepentant sin and iniquity.  May God have mercy on your soul.

Part 1 provided the Matthew 28:1 proof (Mary at Jesus' sepulcher)

Part 2 provided the Genesis 19:30-38 proof  (Lot's Daughters)

Part 3 provided:

•  the Exodus 10:1-14 proof (Locusts Plague via Moses); and
   
• Hebrew Etymology for Dawn (Break) and Dusk (Blend Light with Dark)
   
• Other Biblical References to "Start of Day"
   
• YouTube Videos (by others) who discuss the Biblical Start of Day

Part 4 (this Posting) provided 4 additional arguments:

• Genesis 15:1-18 Abram's Covenant with God, Same Day proof
   
• Corruption and copying of ancient Babylon calendar, names of month, (and start of day?)
   
• God's early start of day
   
• Human nature
   
• Reviews how the first Passover shows that sunrise is the start of the day (Update #1, 2019-11-2)

If you can contribute any additional Biblical arguments, please post them below so as to help prove this case.  If you have Biblical arguments that defeat any of these 10 arguments in favor, please post it below so I can learn and correct my error.

-----> Go to Part 5

Index:   God's Day:  When does it Start?

Part 1 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-day-when-does-it-start.html   
2019-5-17

Part 2 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-day-when-does-it-start-2.html   
2019-5-27

Part 3 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-day-when-does-it-start-part-3-of-3.html   2019-5-27

Part 4 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/09/start-of-gods-day-at-sunrise-part-4.html   
2019-9-28

Part 5 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2022/08/start-of-gods-day-part-5.html 
2022-08-22

Part 6:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2024/04/jesus-3-days-3-nights.html   
2024-4-21

God's Day: When does it Start (Part 3 of 5)?

This is the 3rd of 5 parts in examining the issue of when does God's day begin.

In Part 1 (God's Day:  When Does It Start?), we offered the proof of Matthew 28:1 when Mary went to the sepulcher to find Jesus had risen.  In Part 2 (God's Day:  When Does It Start?_Part 2), we offered the biblical evidence of Genesis 19:30-38 when Lot's daughters were plotting on how to get pregnant.  In Part 3 (this posting), we offer the evidence of Exodus 10:1-14 when God brought the plague of locusts upon Egypt.

3rd Witness:  Exodus 10:1-14 Plague of Locusts

The Eighth Plague: Locusts

1And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: 2And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.

3And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me. 4Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: 5And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field: 6And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh. 7And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed? 8And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? 9And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD. 10And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. 11Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.

12And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left. 13And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 14And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.

In Verse 4, God promises a plague of locusts in Egypt the next day if Pharaoh refuses to let the Hebrews go.  In Verse 11, Pharaoh agrees to let the men go, but refuses permission for the women and children to leave Egypt.  Therefore in Verse 12, God tells Moses to bring on the locust plague upon Egypt.  In Verse 13 the wind comes out of the East all the rest of that day and all that night, then when it was morning, the locusts arrived in Egypt, exactly like God warned.

If we assume that the day starts at dawn, then the locusts came exactly when God said they would come.

Remember, locusts have attacked Egypt and other regions on Earth before the time of Moses, and have attacked since, even up to 2019.  Some swarms of locusts were less, some swarms were worse than the others.  A swarm of locusts does not prove God.  A particularly bad swarm of locusts doesn't prove God.  But when the worst swarm of locusts ever seen is predicted, then shows up exactly on cue, that could prove to Pharaoh the existence and power of God.

If we assume the day starts at sundown, the locusts came 12 hours late, and would therefore raise the question in Pharaoh's mind whether God controls the locusts, or perhaps there was just a partial coincidence.

Therefore it is suggested that God's locusts showed up exactly on-time, exactly as predicted by God, and therefore we conclude that God's day begins at sunrise.
 
We therefore conclude that God's day begins at sunrise.

I realize that this conclusion is against Jewish tradition.  Remember however, that the Jews of today name their months differently than what they are called in the Bible.  The Jewish months are currently named after Babylonian names.  If the Jews are influenced (or corrupted) by Babylon as to the names of the months, could the Jews also have been corrupted as to the start of the day?



Hebrew Emtymology, The 4th Witness

Based on Jewish Hebrew, we have the meaning of evening and sunrise, as follows:

Hebrew for Evening (Strong's H6153) is Ereb  ערב
means mixing or blending, which should be interpreted as blending of day and night.

Hebrew for Morning (Strong's H1242 ) is Boqer הבוקר הוא בוקר
is derived from breaking, delineation, separation, and demarcation; which should be interpreted as the point between yesterday and today.



Other Biblical References

There are many other Biblical descriptions for day starts in the Bible. For example:

Genesis 1:16-18, 8:22
Exodus 10:13, 12:6, 12:18, 16:2-3, 16:22-27, 18:13, 32:5-6
Deut 16:1, 16:6, 21:23
Lev 6:20, 7:15, 23:5, 23:26-32
Num 11:32
Joshua 7:6-13, 8:29
Jeremiah 33:20-21, 25-26
Judges 19:9
1 Sam 9:19-26, 19:10-11, 28:8-19, 30:17
2 Sam 24:13-15
Lam 3:22
Jonah 4:6-7
Zech 14:7
Nehemiah 7:3, 13:18-21
Mat 28:1
Mark 16:2, 15:42
Luke 24:1
John 6:16-22, 12:46 , 20:1
Acts 4:3, 16:9-11, 23:31-32



Summary Videos

You can watch a good summary of the various Biblical verses which are evidence towards sunrise as the start of God's Day.

When does the Day Start (Part 1)   https://youtu.be/R5xBdoWegTQ
   Part 2 (Old Testament References)   https://youtu.be/Vs19gS14qyk
   Part 3 (New Testament References)   https://youtu.be/UW3DdysjCb8
   Part 4  (More Old Testament References)    https://youtu.be/EtB5e-t981o
   Part 5   (Non-Biblical References) https://youtu.be/C9TwrazbbI0


Summary

To the best of my knowledge & belief, most or all of these other references are either silent, or could be reasonably interpreted by either assumption (either sunrise or sunset as the start of day).  Therefore all of the other biblical references are weak or of no benefit in resolving this issue.

I know of no Biblical reference that clearly supports sunset as the start of God's day. 

I know of no Biblical reference that clearly contradicts the sunrise as the start of God's day.


My Decision

For me and my family, we are now switching how we celebrate God's weekly Sabbath.  We will now  celebrate Sabbath for the 24 hour period from sunrise Saturday to sunrise Sunday. 

<--- Back to Part 2

On to Part 4 --->  (link added 2019-09-28)

Index:   God's Day:  When does it Start?

Part 1 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-day-when-does-it-start.html   
2019-5-17

Part 2 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-day-when-does-it-start-2.html   
2019-5-27

Part 3 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/05/gods-day-when-does-it-start-part-3-of-3.html   2019-5-27

Part 4 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2019/09/start-of-gods-day-at-sunrise-part-4.html   
2019-9-28

Part 5 of 5:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2022/08/start-of-gods-day-part-5.html 
2022-08-22

Part 6:  https://et-manitoulin.blogspot.com/2024/04/jesus-3-days-3-nights.html   
2024-4-21