DAY
Are Days in the Bible Always Literal Days?
The Hebrew term yom , with its Greek equivalent, hemera , typically signifies a unit of time determined by the full rotation of the Earth upon its axis. That is its meaning in Genesis 1, concerning the "days" of the creation week.
Exodus 20:11 makes this clear, as its meaning is the same as the Sabbath Day. Any attempt to expand the days of Earth's initial week into eons of time is a baseless accommodation to evolutionary chronology.
In some contexts, however, "day" can take on a figurative meaning, such as the "day of salvation" (Isa. 49:8) or the "day of Christ" (Jn. 8:56; cf. 2 Pet. 3:10). It can also emphasize a time of urgent opportunity (Jn. 9:4).
The final judgment is characterized as a "day" appointed by God (Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:5, 16).
Exodus 20:11 makes this clear, as its meaning is the same as the Sabbath Day. Any attempt to expand the days of Earth's initial week into eons of time is a baseless accommodation to evolutionary chronology.
In some contexts, however, "day" can take on a figurative meaning, such as the "day of salvation" (Isa. 49:8) or the "day of Christ" (Jn. 8:56; cf. 2 Pet. 3:10). It can also emphasize a time of urgent opportunity (Jn. 9:4).
The final judgment is characterized as a "day" appointed by God (Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:5, 16).
