is used (a) with the meaning "a watch," actively, "a guarding," Luk 2:8, lit., "(keeping, phulasso) watches;" (b) of "the time during which guard was kept by night, a watch of the night," Mat 14:25, Mat 24:43, Mar 6:48, Luk 12:38. See CAGE, HOLD, IMPRISONMENT, PRISON.
Note: Among the Jews the night was divided into three "watches" (see, e.g., Exo 14:24, Jdg 7:19), and this continued on through Roman times. The Romans divided the night into four "watches;" this was recognized among the Jews (see Mar 13:35).
from Lat., custodia (cp. Eng., "custody"), is rendered "watch" in Mat 1:27-66, Mat 28:11, AV: see GUARD. "sleeplessness" (akin to B, No. 4), is rendered "watchings" in 2Co 6:5, 2Co 11:27. "to watch," is used (a) of "keeping awake," e.g., Mat 24:43, Mat 26:38, Mat 1:26-41; (b) of "spiritual alertness," e.g., Act 20:31, 1Co 16:13, Col 4:2, 1Th 5:6, 1Th 5:10 (for which see WAKE); 1Pe 5:8, RV, "be watchful" (AV, "be vigilant"); Rev 1:3-3, Rev 16:15. "to keep," is rendered "to watch," of those who kept guard at the Cross, Mat 27:36, Mat 27:54, Mat 28:4, RV, "watchers" (AV, "keepers"), lit., "the watching ones." See HOLD, No. 8, KEEP, OBSERVE, PRESERVE, RESERVE. "to observe," especially with sinister intent (para, "near," and No. 2), is rendered "to watch" in Mar 3:2, Luk 6:7, Luk 14:1, Luk 20:20, Act 9:24. See OBSERVE. "to be sleepless" (from agreuo, "to chase," and hupnos, "sleep"), is used metaphorically, "to be watchful," in Mar 13:33, Luk 21:36, Eph 6:18, Heb 13:17. The word expresses not mere wakefulness, but the "watchfulness" of those who are intent upon a thing. "to abstain from wine," is used metaphorically of moral "alertness," and translated "to watch," in the AV of 2Ti 4:5. See SOBER.
