אַשְׁמוּרָה (ash.mu.rah)
ash.mu.rah
watch
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun ashmurah refers to a specific division of the night, commonly translated as a "watch." In ancient Israelite society, the night was not treated as one long, indistinct block of darkness but was segmented into periods for security and prayer. This word captures that structured approach to time, marking a distinct interval during which guards stood alert or individuals engaged in spiritual vigilance.
Its usage reveals a dual focus on physical protection and spiritual awareness. In Judges 7:19, Gideon’s soldiers break their clay pitchers at the signal of the mid-night watch, linking the term to sudden, decisive military action. Conversely, in Psalms 63:6, the psalmist recalls God during the night watches, using the word to describe a time of deep, solitary communion with God when the world is quiet.
The root suggests something kept or guarded, implying that these periods were moments of heightened responsibility. Whether for the safety of the camp or the reflection of the soul, ashmurah reminds readers that even in darkness, there are designated times for attention and trust.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ashmurah refers to a specific division of the night, marking a time when guards stood alert or individuals engaged in spiritual vigilance. Ancient Israel segmented the darkness into periods for security and prayer, viewing these intervals as moments of heightened responsibility. This structure reminds us that even in the quietest, darkest hours, there are designated times for attention and trust.
In Judges 7:19, Gideon’s soldiers used the middle watch to launch a decisive attack, showing how God can use unexpected moments for victory. Similarly, Psalm 119:148 describes keeping one’s eyes open during these watches to meditate on Scripture. These examples show that ashmurah is not just about waiting in fear, but about staying awake in faith and readiness.
Whether you are facing a season of uncertainty or seeking deeper connection with God, this word invites you to view the night not as empty time, but as an opportunity for spiritual awareness. It encourages a posture of watchfulness, where we remain open to God’s presence and guidance, even when the world around us is still.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ [the] watch of2×
- [the] night-watches2×
- the/ watch1×
- and/ a watch1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/אַשְׁמֹ֣רֶת2×
- וְ/אַשְׁמוּרָ֥ה1×
- הָ/אַשְׁמֹ֣רֶת1×
- אַשְׁמֻר֔וֹת1×
- אַשְׁמֻר֑וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 7:19
So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outermost part of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch, when they had but newly set the watch. Then they blew the trumpets and broke in pieces the pitchers that were in their hands.
This verse links the middle watch to a sudden, decisive military action where Gideon's men broke pitchers and blew trumpets.
-
Psalms 119:148
My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
The psalmist uses this term to describe staying awake during night watches specifically to meditate on God's word.
-
Exodus 14:24
In the morning watch, Yahweh looked out on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and confused the Egyptian army.
Here, the morning watch is the moment Yahweh looks out from the pillar of fire and confuses the Egyptian army.