Overview
The Bible addresses watchmen across 35 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Isaiah, 2 Kings and 2 Samuel. Closely related themes include Watchman, Persia, Watchfulness and Babylon. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jehu, David, Zadok and Solomon.
Key Bible verses about watchmen
Old Testament
2 Samuel
And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.
And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. Me: Heb. I see the running
2 Kings
And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?
So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again.
Then he sent out a second on horseback, which came to them, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu answered, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me.
And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously. driving: or, marching furiously: Heb. in madness
And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down. that: or, from breaking up
Nehemiah
Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.
Psalms
A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. for: or, of Solomon that: Heb. that are builders of it in it
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. I say: or, which watch unto
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:
Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.
For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.
And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:
And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights: he: or, cried as a lion whole: or, every night
And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.
The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. sleeping: or, dreaming, or, talking in their sleep
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, make: or, are the LORD's remembrancers
Ezekiel
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: When: Heb. A land when I bring a sword upon her
If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
New Testament
Matthew
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
Saying, Say ye His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
People in the Bible and watchmen
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying watchmen for yourself
- Begin with 2 Samuel 18:24, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Isaiah, 2 Kings and 2 Samuel each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jehu, David and Zadok and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Watchman, Persia, Watchfulness and Babylon.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about watchmen?
The Bible addresses watchmen across 35 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Isaiah, 2 Kings and 2 Samuel. Closely related themes include Watchman, Persia, Watchfulness and Babylon. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jehu, David, Zadok and Solomon.
How many Bible verses are about watchmen?
The Bible references watchmen in 35 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention watchmen?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 2 Samuel 18:24: “And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with watchmen?
Jehu, David, Zadok, Solomon and Pontius Pilate.
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