Watchman(guard, sentry)
“Tsopheh, 'one who looks out'; also shomer 'keeper, guarder' and notser 'careful watcher'”
Summary
Watchmen were sentinels stationed on city walls and towers to guard against enemies and announce the progress of the night, a role used figuratively for prophets who warned God's people.
☩Military and Civil Function
Strong walls and gates alone could not secure a city; watchmen were stationed day and night on walls and towers. They announced the approach of messengers, as when David waited for news from battle and the watchman reported runners approaching. The watchman of Jezreel spotted Jehu's company from a great distance by his furious driving. City watchmen also patrolled streets to preserve order, challenging persons abroad at night and sometimes treating them roughly if they could not give good account of themselves.
☩Announcing the Night Watches
Watchmen were charged to announce the progress of the night to the slumbering city. Since there were no clocks, the parts of night were made known through calls and instruments. Isaiah's vision includes a watchman responding to the question 'What of the night?' The Temple watchmen, always Levites, used pious watchwords invoking Jehovah's name. Psalm 134 is believed to be the alternate cry between two divisions of the Temple watch, calling each other to bless the Lord.
☩Prophetic Watchmen
God appointed prophets as spiritual watchmen to warn His people of coming judgment. Ezekiel was explicitly told: 'I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel.' The watchman's responsibility was solemn—if he failed to warn the wicked, their blood would be required at his hand, but if he gave warning, he delivered his own soul. Isaiah poetically addressed the Temple watchmen as 'you who make mention of the Lord,' emphasizing their sacred calling.
Related Verses77 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Watchman," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Watchman," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Chad Brand, Charles Draper, and Archie England (ed.), "Watchman," in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Holman Bible Publishers, 2003).