DAY, LAST

(he eschate hemera): Repeatedly used by Jesus in Jn (6:39,40,44,54; 11:24; 12:48) for the day of resurrection and judgment (see ESCHATOLOGY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, I-V ). 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; Jude 1:18) of "last days" and "last time" to denote the Messianic age.

See LATTER DAYS ; LAST DAYS ; LAST TIME, TIMES .

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.

James Orr

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.