21 Beyn Ha Arbayim: Between the evenings. What do the Scriptures teach us?

Now finally, let us learn what the scriptures teach regarding when the beyn ha arbayim sacrifice occurred.

Exodus 12:6 explains that the Passover sacrifice should occur beyn ha arbayim, or between the evenings (in the KJV the term in the evening is used). The following scriptures also refer to the time of the Passover sacrifice, referring to the Hebrew phrase beyn ha arbayim – Leviticus 23:5, Numbers 9:3, 5, 11.

The Passover Lamb was sacrificed between the evenings (Hebrew phrase – Strong’s 996 and 6153) of the 14th day of the first month. Contained within the phrase between the evenings is the operative word, evening.

The scriptures clearly teach us when during the day, beyn ha arbayim occurred.

In ancient Israel, one of the responsibilities of the Levitical Priesthood was that of performing the daily sacrifices. Every day two lambs were used in two separate sacrifices.

The first lamb sacrifice was performed in the morning (Hebrew boqer) and the second lamb sacrifice was performed at or in the evening, specifically between the evenings, (Hebrew - beyn ha arbayim).

Let us then look to the Laws of God to understand the daily sacrifices and to know when during the day the beyn ha arbayim sacrifice occurred.

Exodus 29:38-41 (Young's Literal Translation). “And this is that which thou dost prepare on the altar; two lambs, sons of a year, daily continually; the one lamb thou dost prepare in the morning, and the second lamb thou dost prepare between the evenings; and a tenth deal of fine flour, mixed with beaten oil, a fourth part of a hin, and a libation, a fourth part of a hin, of wine, is for the one lamb. And the second lamb thou dost prepare between the evenings; according to the present of the morning, and according to its libation, thou dost prepare for it, for sweet fragrance, a fire-offering, to the Eternal:"

Numbers 28:1-8 (KJV). “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season. And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even; And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil. It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering. And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour to the LORD.”

Numbers 28:3-4 (Interlinear mss text) “… lambs a son of a year without blemish two, daily, as a burnt offering continually; the lamb one you shall offer in the morning and the lamb second you shall offer between the evenings …”

By reading Exodus 29:38-41 and Numbers 28:1-8, we see the pattern that The Eternal established. We notice in both passages of Scripture, which speak of the law of the daily sacrifices, that beyn ha arbayim refers to a period of time, which occurred toward or at the end of the day.

Daily sacrifices were only to be performed within the light portion (12-hour period of light) of each day.

There was a morning (Hebrew: boqer) sacrifice activity time, which was first for the day, and then there is a beyn ha arbayim sacrifice activity time, which was second, for the same day.

In the morning, the first lamb of the two daily lambs was sacrificed. Then beyn ha arbayim, the second lamb for that same day was sacrificed.

Two lambs were sacrificed each day. One at the beginning and the second lamb at the end, specifically between the evenings of the day.

Throughout the Scriptures, we often read of “the evening” sacrifice, or as we understand (from the giving of the laws through Moses), the beyn ha arbayim sacrifice.

Notice in the Old Testament the following Scriptures: I Kings 18:36; I Chronicles 16:40; II Chronicles 2:4, 31:3; Ezra 3:3; Ezra 9:4-5 and Daniel 9:21. Each of these verses refers to “the evening” sacrifice time, or as we know, the beyn ha arbayim sacrifice time.

Beyn ha arbayim did not nor does not, occur before the morning sacrifice.

Beyn ha arbayim occurred after the morning sacrifice. Beyn ha arbayim is not the time of the first daily sacrifice; it is the time of the second daily sacrifice. Beyn ha arbayim is the time when the second daily sacrifice (of two daily sacrifices) occurred.

Beyn ha arbayim did not nor does not begin a new day (whether the 12-hour portion or the 24-hour day complete); beyn ha arbayim occurred at the end of a day. How much clearer could it be?

Beyn ha arbayim, literally translated “between the evenings” occurs toward the end of the day, during the evening of the day.

Now consider Leviticus 6:20 (New Revised Standard Version) “This is the offering that Aaron and his sons shall offer to the LORD on the day when he is anointed: one tenth of an ephah of choice flour as a regular offering, half in the morning and half in the evening.”

Once again, notice the pattern; notice the consistency, which the Eternal promotes. There is a morning offering which occurs at the beginning of the day (the 12 hour portion cf. John 11:9) and there is an evening offering which ends the day's (12 hour portion and 24 hour complete) activity.

Notice again the consistency of a morning/evening pattern for a 12 hour day-light time period, as used in the Scriptures.

Exodus 18:13 (KJV) “And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from morning unto the evening."

Notice also verse 14. "… from morning unto even."

Consider Paul’s behavior - Acts 28:23 (check out any other translation you wish): “And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.”

Evening always ends the day and the operative word in beyn ha arbayim is the evening.