Bible Dictionary
Evening
Evening is the period around sunset. In biblical Jewish reckoning, the day began in the evening, and Scripture refers to an earlier and a later evening in connection with certain observances.
Definition
Evening is the period following sunset, and in Jewish reckoning it marked the beginning of the day. Scripture also distinguishes two evenings in connection with certain observances.
Biblical Usage
The first evening was the time when the sun was moving toward setting; the second was the moment of actual sunset. The expression “between the two evenings” refers to this distinction.
Historical Background
The Hebrew day was reckoned from evening to evening. The term in Jeremiah 5:6 is noted as meaning deserts rather than evenings.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The period following sunset with which the Jewish day began (Gen. 1:5; Mark 13:35). The Hebrews reckoned two evenings of each day, as appears from Ex. 16:12: 30:8; 12:6 (marg.); Lev. 23:5 (marg. R.V., “between the two evenings”). The “first evening” was that period when the sun was verging towards setting, and the “second evening” the moment of actual sunset. The word “evenings” in Jer. 5:6 should be “deserts” (marg. R.V.).