feminine of an adjective hesperos (evening); the eve (ὥρα being implied):--evening(-tide).
Transliteration:hespéra
Pronunciation:hes-per'-ah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word *hespéra* (ἑσπέρα, `{{G2073}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the adjective *hesperos*, which signifies "of the evening" or "western." Its fundamental meaning is "evening" or "evening-tide." The underlying implication of *hōra* (ὥρα, "hour" or "time") clarifies that *hespéra* refers to the specific period of the day from sunset until the onset of full night. Semantically, it represents a transitional phase, marking the close of the daylight hours and preceding the darkness of night. It stands in direct contrast to the morning or dawn.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
*Hespéra* appears seven times in the New Testament, primarily within the Synoptic Gospels, consistently marking significant temporal junctures:
* **[[Matthew 8:16]]**: "When evening came, they brought to him many who were demon-possessed..." This occurrence highlights *hespéra* as the time when large crowds could gather for healing, often after the Sabbath had concluded, allowing for public activity.
* **[[Matthew 14:15]]**: "When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, 'This is a desolate place, and the day is now over...'" Here, *hespéra* signifies the end of the day, prompting the disciples' concern for the multitude's sustenance in a remote area.
* **[[Matthew 16:2]]**: "He answered them, 'When it is evening, you say, "It will be fair weather, for the sky is red."'" This citation uses *hespéra* in a proverbial sense, illustrating a common observation about weather patterns at dusk.
* **[[Matthew 20:8]]**: "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.'" This verse depicts *hespéra* as the customary time for workers to receive their payment, marking the completion of the day's labor.
* **[[Matthew 27:57]]**: "When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus." This refers to the evening of the crucifixion, a critical time for the hasty burial of Jesus before the onset of the Sabbath.
* **[[Mark 1:32]]**: "That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or demon-possessed." Parallel to [[Matthew 8:16]], this verse explicitly links *hespéra* with sunset, reinforcing its role as the time when the Sabbath ended, making it permissible to bring the sick for healing.
* **[[Mark 4:35]]**: "On that day, when evening came, he said to them, 'Let us go across to the other side.'" Here, *hespéra* marks a moment of transition, initiating a new phase of Jesus' ministry involving a journey across the Sea of Galilee.
Across these contexts, *hespéra* consistently denotes a time of transition: from day to night, from labor to rest, from public engagement to private reflection, or from one significant event to the next. It often signals the conclusion of a day's activities or the commencement of new ones after the heat of the day.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Temporal Opposites and Successors:**
* `{{G4375}}` *proï* (πρωΐ): "morning," "early." This word represents the direct temporal opposite of *hespéra*.
* `{{G3796}}` *opsios* (ὀψίος): "late," "late in the day," "evening." Often used interchangeably or in conjunction with *hespéra* to denote the evening period.
* `{{G3571}}` *nux* (νύξ): "night." This is the period that immediately follows *hespéra*.
* `{{G2250}}` *hēmera* (ἡμέρα): "day." This is the period that precedes *hespéra*.
* **Cultural and Religious Significance:**
* In the Jewish calendar, the new day traditionally began at sunset (e.g., [[Leviticus 23:32]], "from evening to evening you shall keep your Sabbath"). Thus, *hespéra* frequently marked the commencement of a new day, particularly significant for the Sabbath and other religious festivals.
* The "evening sacrifice" (e.g., [[Exodus 29:39]], [[Numbers 28:4]]) was a foundational ritual in the Temple, performed at this specific time, underscoring the sacredness of the evening.
* The concept of "twilight" or "dusk" is intrinsic to *hespéra*, representing a liminal space between the light of day and the darkness of night.
### Theological Significance
The temporal marker *hespéra* carries profound theological implications within the New Testament narratives:
* **Time of Transition and Divine Activity:** The evening often serves as a backdrop for pivotal events in the Gospels. It is a time when Jesus frequently performs miracles (healing the sick, casting out demons, calming the storm), engages in teaching, or prepares for major undertakings (His burial, crossing the sea). This liminal period can symbolize a transition from the old order to the new, or from human limitations to divine intervention.
* **Completion of Labor and Anticipation of Rest/Reward:** The payment of wages at evening ([[Matthew 20:8]]) subtly points to the concept of just recompense at the conclusion of a period of service, whether physical labor or spiritual endurance. The burial of Jesus at evening ([[Matthew 27:57]]) signifies the completion of His earthly ministry and suffering, preceding the rest of the Sabbath and the triumphant dawn of resurrection.
* **Symbolism of Light and Darkness:** As the boundary between day and night, *hespéra* implicitly highlights the theological tension between light (representing truth, God's presence, and salvation) and darkness (symbolizing sin, ignorance, and spiritual death). While not yet full darkness, it is the encroaching shadow, serving as a subtle reminder of humanity's need for the "Light of the World" ([[John 8:12]]) before complete spiritual night descends. The frequent occurrence of Jesus' healing activities "at evening" ([[Matthew 8:16]], [[Mark 1:32]]) powerfully illustrates His divine authority to push back the encroaching shadows of sickness and evil.
### Summary
The Greek word *hespéra* (ἑσπέρα, `{{G2073}}`) precisely denotes "evening" or "evening-tide," marking the period from sunset until night. Its seven occurrences in the New Testament consistently function as a crucial temporal indicator, signifying the conclusion of the workday, the commencement of a new calendrical day (especially within Jewish observances like the Sabbath), or a transitional moment for significant events in Jesus' ministry. Contextual analysis reveals its association with both practical concerns, such as meals and wages, and profound moments of divine activity, including healing, teaching, and the solemn events surrounding the crucifixion. Theologically, *hespéra* embodies themes of transition, the completion of labor, the onset of rest, and subtly underscores the interplay between light and encroaching darkness, often serving as the backdrop for Jesus' revelatory power against the forces of evil and suffering. It is a time of both closure and the anticipation of new beginnings, reflecting the dynamic nature of God's redemptive work in human history.
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