Watches (time of day) in the Bible

<p class="MsoNormal" ><a href="http://barnes.biblecommenter.com/matthew/14.htm">Barnes' Notes on the Bible</a></p>

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<li class="MsoNormal" >The Jews anciently divided the night into three parts of four hours each, usually called watches. The first of these watches is mentioned in <a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/lamentations/2-19.htm" >Lamentations 2:19</a>, the middle watch in<a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/judges/7-19.htm" >Judges 7:19</a>, and the morning watch in <a href="http://bible.cc/exodus/14-24.htm" >Exodus 14:24</a>.</li>

<li class="MsoNormal" >In the time of our Saviour they divided the night into four watches, the fourth having been introduced by the Romans. These watches consisted of three hours each.</li>

<li class="MsoNormal" >The first was called evening; the second midnight; the third cock-crowing; the fourth morning,<a href="http://bible.cc/mark/13-35.htm" >Mark 13:35</a>.</li>

<li class="MsoNormal" >It is probable that the term watch was given to each of these divisions from the practice of placing sentinels around the camp in time of war, or in cities, to watch or guard the camp or city; and that they were at first relieved three times in the night, but under the Romans four times.</li>

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