or (Isaiah 21:11) לֵיל; also לַיְלָה; from the same as לוּל; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity; (mid-)night (season).
Transliteration:layil
Pronunciation:lah'-yil
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H3915 (לַיִל, *layil*), also appearing as לֵיל (*leil*) in [[Isaiah 21:11]] and לַיְלָה (*laylah*), primarily denotes the period of "night." Its etymological root is linked to לוּל (luwl), suggesting a concept of "twisting" or "winding," which aptly describes the earth's rotation away from the light, ushering in darkness. This primary literal sense refers to the hours between sunset and sunrise, the time when light is absent. Beyond its temporal meaning, H3915 extends semantically to convey "adversity." This figurative usage draws on the natural associations of night with darkness, obscurity, vulnerability, and a cessation of normal activities, thus symbolizing periods of trouble, sorrow, or judgment. The term can also specify "mid-night" or a particular "night season," emphasizing a specific point or duration within the nocturnal period.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H3915 is widely attested throughout the Old Testament, appearing hundreds of times and serving both its literal and figurative functions.
* **Literal Time Designation:**
* In the creation narrative, H3915 establishes a fundamental aspect of God's ordered cosmos: "God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day" ([[Genesis 1:5]]). This sets the pattern for all subsequent temporal references.
* It frequently marks the duration of events or activities, such as Jacob's journeying by night ([[Genesis 31:39]]), the Passover observance ([[Exodus 12:42]]), or the pillar of fire guiding Israel ([[Exodus 13:21]]).
* The psalmist declares the continuous praise of creation: "Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge" ([[Psalm 19:2]]).
* It also denotes the time for rest and sleep, as seen in [[Psalm 121:6]] where the sun will not strike by day nor the moon by night.
* **Figurative Representation of Adversity/Suffering:**
* Perhaps one of the most poignant uses is in [[Psalm 30:5]]: "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." Here, "night" clearly symbolizes a period of sorrow, affliction, or divine displeasure, which is temporary and gives way to hope.
* In prophetic contexts, "night" can signify impending judgment or a time of distress. [[Isaiah 21:11-12]], using the variant לֵיל, depicts a watchman's cry from Dumah, hinting at a time of uncertainty and questioning, a metaphorical night of anxiety.
* [[Job 35:10]] speaks of God giving "songs in the night," suggesting that even in times of deep suffering and darkness, divine comfort and hope can be found.
* [[Amos 5:8]] portrays God's power to "turn the shadow of death into morning and darken day into night," indicating His sovereign control over both light and darkness, often used to describe acts of judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of H3915 is rich and interconnected with several other significant biblical terms and concepts:
* **Antonym:** The most direct antonym is יוֹם (yom, `{{H3117}}`), "day." The contrast between day and night is fundamental to the biblical understanding of time, order, and human experience.
* **Darkness:** חֹשֶׁךְ (choshek, `{{H2822}}`) is closely associated with H3915. While H3915 denotes the temporal period, H2822 refers to the state or quality of darkness itself, often carrying stronger connotations of chaos, evil, ignorance, or divine judgment.
* **Sleep and Rest:** שֵׁנָה (shenah, `{{H8153}}`) and related terms for "sleep" are naturally linked to night as the time for rest.
* **Watch:** אַשְׁמֹרֶת (ashmoreth, `{{H821}}`) refers to the "watches" of the night, highlighting the divisions of this period.
* **Figurative Associations:** Beyond direct lexical connections, H3915 is conceptually linked to themes of mourning, lamentation, fear, danger, vigilance, and divine revelation (e.g., dreams and visions often occur at night).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H3915 extends far beyond a mere temporal marker, deeply embedding itself in the biblical narrative of creation, human experience, and divine interaction.
* **Divine Order and Sovereignty:** The initial mention of "night" in [[Genesis 1:5]] establishes God as the sovereign Creator who brings order out of chaos, separating light from darkness. This cyclical pattern of day and night is a testament to God's enduring faithfulness and the reliability of His covenant ([[Jeremiah 33:20]]).
* **The Human Experience of Suffering and Hope:** As a metaphor for adversity, "night" powerfully articulates the human condition of sorrow, struggle, and desolation. Yet, the consistent biblical pattern is that "night" is not the end; it gives way to "morning." This provides a profound theological message of hope and divine deliverance, assuring believers that even the darkest periods of life are temporary and under God's ultimate control ([[Psalm 30:5]]).
* **Divine Presence and Revelation:** Paradoxically, the "night" is not merely a time of absence or darkness but can also be a sacred space for divine encounter. God often communicates through dreams and visions during the night ([[Genesis 20:3]], [[Job 33:15]]). It can be a time for intense prayer, meditation, and spiritual vigilance, where the soul seeks God in quietude ([[Psalm 119:62]]).
* **Eschatological Overtones:** In prophetic literature, the imagery of "night" can be associated with the "Day of the Lord," a time of judgment and darkness for the wicked, yet a precursor to the dawn of God's righteous kingdom ([[Amos 5:8]]).
### Summary
The Hebrew word H3915 (לַיִל, *layil*) is a fundamental term in the Old Testament, primarily denoting the literal period of "night." Its etymology suggests a "twisting away of light," aptly describing the earth's rotation. Beyond its temporal meaning, H3915 carries significant figurative weight, symbolizing "adversity," suffering, and periods of trial. Contextual analysis reveals its pervasive use in describing the natural rhythm of creation, daily life, and historical events, while also serving as a potent metaphor for human lament and divine judgment. Theologically, H3915 underscores God's sovereignty over time and creation, His presence even in the deepest "nights" of human experience, and the enduring hope that sorrow, like the night, will ultimately give way to the joy of morning.
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