1] Part I: According to the Scriptures, when does the day end?  

It is necessary to understand what the Scriptures teach, regarding when the day ends. In so learning, we will be able to understand at what time of the day the Passover sacrifice (Exodus 12:6; Leviticus 23:5, Deuteronomy 16:6; Numbers 9:3, 5) occurred.

In understanding when the Passover lamb was sacrificed, we will understand the importance, the spiritual implications of the time of Christ’s death. We will also understand that the meal consumed in the Upper Room was not the Passover meal.

In order to understand when the day ends, we must become familiar with several Hebrew words/phrases, which are used (translated into the English) in the Scriptures.

Evening - Erev (Strong’s 6153): this Hebrew word means dusk, evening, even(tide). (The v in the word erev can also be transliterated as a b. Consequently, the word erev can be pronounced as ereb.) Erev derives from the Hebrew word arab (Strong’s 6150) which means: covering, to grow dusky at sundown, to be darkened toward evening.
 

The evening is something we understand in this 21^st Century. By definition evening is – (a noun):  the latter part or close of the day; the period of decreasing daylight; from late afternoon until nightfall.

By definition, not only in the English language but also in the Hebrew language (and in the Greek language – when we refer to New Testament verses), evening is a distinct period of time, which occurs within a 24-hour day. It is not a moment in time event nor is it an activity that is both at the start and the end of a 24-hour time period. Evening is a specific period of time in which the day’s sunlight is diminishing, as the day darkens, as the night approaches. Evening occurs at the end of the day, as the day is coming to an end. The Scriptures will teach us this truth, leaving no doubt.

Reading the Scriptures, regarding the word erev (evening), we will learn of events that occurred toward the even(ing), in the even(ing), at the even(ing), around the even(ing), during the even(ing), from the even(ing), until the even(ing) and between the evenings.

In the English (and in the original Hebrew) language, there are various prepositional words which come before the word evening (erev), all of which serve to enhance the meaning or given further clarification to the period of time called “the evening.”

One such phrase in particular is ba erev (Strong’s 6153 with the preposition at (Hebrew - ba) preceding the word erev). This Hebrew phrase means at even or at evening.

Contrary to what some individuals and several Church of God groups promote, the phrase ba erev cannot and does not mean sunset. The Word of God will absolutely prove this fact to us.

Sunset - Bow shemesh (Strong’s 935 8121): this Hebrew phrase expresses specific actions of the sun, such as sunset, sundown, the going down of the sun, goes down the sun, when goes down the sun, at the going down of the sun, the sun went down, the setting of the sun.

In the Scriptures as well as in reality, bow shemesh refers to an action of the sun that occurs as the sun is “traveling” toward, approaching, converging, and finally falling below the western horizon, as the sun’s light is diminishing or extinguishing for that day.

Does sunset occur at the beginning of the day or at the end of the day? Is the sunset the same as the evening or does the sunset occur during the evening of the day? What can we learn from the Scriptures, the very Word of God?

Twilight - Neshef (Strong’s 5399): this Hebrew word means twilight, dawning and refers to the daily transition of light, in the morning (dawn or twilight) and then in the evening (dusk or twilight). We will see how the scriptural context will provide the correct translation and meaning.

Regarding the twilight, this event, this natural phenomenon occurs after the sun has gone down below the western horizon. When we see the splendor of the reddish-orange hues of the sun’s fading light sprayed across the western sky, we are witnessing the twilight. At the last vestige of the sun’s light, illuminating the western skies just prior to the commencement of the night’s darkness, we are witness to the twilight. Twilight, a period of time between sunset and night, certifies that the sun has fallen below the western horizon.

From the scriptures we will learn, when during the day, the evening twilight occurs.
 

Between the evenings ­­- Beyn ha arbayim (Strong’s 996 6153): Now the phrase between the evenings is not something we in the 21^st Century are readily able to understand. This term is not a common description of the evening or the day’s activity. This term has Hebrew roots, the origins of which are found in ancient Israel, and has a historical meaning, dealing specifically with Temple sacrificial activity.
 

However, just because we do not commonly use this phrase does not mean we cannot understand it. We can understand its meaning and we will let the Word of God, the very Scriptures themselves, explain the meaning of this term, and explain to us when during the day between the evenings occurs.
 

When studying the Exodus 12 Passover, specifically in learning when on the 14^th day of the first month the sacrifice took place, we need to understand just when between the evenings occurred.
 

No other term or phrase is relevant. Let us not be fooled - when it comes to understanding at what time of day the Passover sacrifice occurred, the Scriptures do not speak of the sunset or the twilight.
 

Only the terms evening and between the evenings are used when codifying the time at which the Passover was sacrificed. We need to let the Scriptures explain when during the day the evening and the between the evenings occurred.
 

From the scriptures we can learn when during the day was/is the sunset; when during the day was/is the evening or at evening; when during the day was/is the twilight and when during the day was between the evenings.

In the Hebrew, Greek and English languages, as used throughout the Scriptures, these terms/phrases are used uniquely and distinctly; all are used independently of one another. One does not mean the other. Each word or phrase is distinctively translated and defined appropriately. There are no cross definitions. Each means what it says, and says what it means.