It was originally called a chronometer (approx. 1735 A.D.).
Formed from the word Kronos / kρόνος meaning elapsed time or time over a
distance in Greek and meter/metre/μητηρ meaning to measure. Time measure.
Simply stated in modern language, a "watch" by which to tell the time
of day. The modern-day watch came by its name from the way men used to measure
time which was known as "watches." Between prescribed hours were
called a "watch" because of the length of time a watchman remained on
duty. Thus, originally, a "watch" was actually a man or a number of
men, as found in the chief priests "setting a watch" to guard the
sepulcher in which Jesus was buried.
The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. ~ Matthew 27:62-66
One of the words used for watchmen in Greek is custodia /
κουστωδία from which we have custody and custodian (Matthew 27:65, 66; 28:11).
The Jews divided the night into three military watches. The "first"
or beginning of watches from sunset to ten o'clock (Lamentations 2:19).The
second or "middle watch" was from ten till two o'clock (Judges 7:19).
The third, "the morning watch" from two to sunrise (Exodus 14:24; 2
Samuel 11:11).
Under the Romans the night was divided into four watches, a
system the Jews came to recognize (Mark 13:35). These four watches were styled
as "even, midnight, cockcrowing and morning," and ended respectively
at 9pm, midnight, 3am and 6am (Matthew 14:25; Mark 13:35; Luke 12:38; Acts
12:4).
The watch system was used by civilians and military until
well into the 20th century when timepieces became more prolific and cheap so
that most could afford them.
In Bible times, the occupation of watchman was an important
one. His duty was to keep awake while others slept; to keep his eyes open; to
keep a sharp lookout in every direction for potential threats to be able to
sound an alarm at the earliest notice.
Nehemiah set a group of men to guard the city, while its
walls were rebuilt (Nehemiah 4:9; 7:3).
The Jews raised dry stone towers in their fields from which a watchman kept an
eye on the fruit and crops to protect them against thieves, foxes and bears
(Psalm 80:13; Song of Solomon 2:15). The projected stones on the tower served
as an external staircase and inside the tower was a storehouse for food (2
Kings 17:9; 18:8; 1 Chronicles 27:25; Isaiah 5:2; Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1). On
the top of the tower was a booth in which, at harvest time, the whole family of
the watchman could live (Isaiah 1:8; Amos 9:11). Such a booth was used as the
symbol of protection (Psalm 27:5) or ‘Strong Tower”.
Watchmen were also employed to guard a city. During the
night they mounted guards on the ramparts, or went "about the city,"
patrolling the streets with lanterns (Psalm 127:1; Song of Solomon 3:3; Isaiah
62:8). Besides protecting the city and its inhabitants from violence, watchmen
were required to callout the hours of the night (2 Samuel 18:24-27; Song of
Solomon 5:7; Isaiah 21:11,12). In Britain, before the days of policemen or
Bobbies, watchmen used to patrol the streets during the night. George Sinclair
writes of an old lady who remembered a watchman in Edinburgh calling out,
"Four o'clock, and a fine frosty morning."
Prophets and teachers are referred to as watchmen, whose
duty it is to warn God's people (Isaiah 22:11; 52:8; 62:6; Jeremiah 6:17).
Twice over God said to Ezekiel, "I have set thee a watchman" (3:17;
33:2-7). Every preacher of the Gospel is a watchman, divinely trained to descry
the enemies of men's souls at a distance. How apt are the words from Isaiah?
“May we be delivered from the company of "blind" watchmen the prophet
speaks about! (Isaiah 56:10).
In this particular way I believe I serve as a watchman of
the truth when I teach, speak or write on the truths of Scripture and when I
compare the evils and sins of the world today to those millennia ago in the
Bible. When I call people out for their grievous infractions and affronts
against Holy God it isn’t to embarrass them it is to make them realize what
they are really doing. Most have no idea. The truth is God wishes every child
of His to function as a "watchman." I men, isn’t watching
metaphorically used of moral alertness? The word Paul employs here νῆφε / nephe
means to be vigilant or constantly alert and suggests one who is watchful
enough to possess a treasure.
But as for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do
the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. ~ 2 Timothy 4:5
John Bunyan in his book The Holy War describes the town of
Mansoul with its five gates, captured by Diabolus and recaptured by Emmanuel.
Over every gateway was a tower, and the last word of Emmanuel's parting address
was "watch." The pilgrim is to stand guard over Ear-gate (hearing),
over Eye-gate (sight), over Lip-gate (speech).
"Set a watch, O Lord before my mouth; keep the door of
my lips" (Psalm 141:3).
The Moravians when they crossed over the frontier of Austria
into Saxony that they might have freedom to worship God, laid out a small
settlement for themselves, and called it Herrn Hut, "The Lord's
Watch."
The Christian must be vigilant to guard against spiritual
foes and dangers. Watchfulness must be the keyword in a world as upsidedown and
depraved as ours now is. Christians must be constantly watchful against the
temptations of Satan (Ephesians 6:11).The allurements of the world (Psalm 39:1;
Mark 8:15) and the erroneous doctrines of false cults, and also against
whatever would hinder our holiness and spiritual progress.
God's watchmen are to watch for God also, not just dangers
and evil. Be careful to observe the signs. To see the teachings of providence
(Psalm 5:8).To see the fulfillment of prophecies (Revelation 16:15). To see the
righteous deliverance from trouble (Psalm 130). To be on the lookout for the
salvation of the souls of men (Hebrews 13:7). The declared death and judgment
(Mark 13:37).
Most importantly of all we must keep watch for signs the promised Savior who will be returning from Heaven (1 Thessalonians 5:6) and his actual return.
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