(ἡ ἐσχάτη ἡμέρα , hē eschátē hēméra ): Repeatedly used by Jesus in Jn (John 6:39 , John 6:40 , John 6:44 , John 6:54; John 11:24; John 12:48 ) for the day of resurrection and judgment (see ESCHATOLOGY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT ). Compare the usage in the Old Testament (Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1 ) and the New Testament (Acts 2:17; 2 Timothy 3:1; 2 Peter 3:3; 1 John 2:18; Judges 1:18 ) of "last days" and "last time" to denote the Messianic age. See LATTER DAYS; LAST DAYS; LAST TIME .
In John 7:37 , "the last day, the great day of the feast" refers to the eighth day of the feast of Tabernacles. This closing day was observed as a Sabbath (Leviticus 23:36 ). On it the libation of water made on other days was not made; hence, the allusion of Jesus to Himself as the Giver of the living water.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
But as with any writings of men, the careful student of the Bible must always compare them with Scripture. As you use this helpful study resource, remember that only God's word is pure.
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