Epoch
Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary [1]
a term in chronology signifying a fixed point of time, from which the succeeding years are numbered. Scaliger says it means "a stop," because "in epochs stop and terminate the measures of times." It now usually denotes a remarkable date; as, the epoch of the destruction of Troy, B.C. 1183, &c. The first epoch is the creation of the world, which, according to the Vulgate Bible, Archbishop Usher fixes in the year 710 of the Julian period, and 4004 years before Jesus Christ. The second is the deluge, which, according to the Hebrew text, happened in the year of the world 1656. Six other epochs are commonly reckoned in sacred history:
the building of the tower of Babel, which was, according to Dr. Hales, B.C. 2554; the calling of Abraham, B.C. 2153; the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt, B.C. 1648; the dedication of the temple, B.C. 1027; the end of the Babylonish captivity, B.C. 536; and the birth of Jesus Christ, A.D. 1. In profane history are reckoned five epochs: the founding of the Assyrian empire, B.C. 1267; the era of Nabonassar, or death of Sardanapalus, B.C. 747; the reign of Cyrus at Babylon, B.C. 556; the reign of Alexander the Great over the Persians, B.C. 330; and the beginning of the reign of Augustus, in which our Saviour was born, B.C. 44.
Webster's Dictionary [2]
(1): ( n.) A period of time, longer or shorter, remarkable for events of great subsequent influence; a memorable period; as, the epoch of maritime discovery, or of the Reformation.
(2): ( n.) A fixed point of time, established in history by the occurrence of some grand or remarkable event; a point of time marked by an event of great subsequent influence; as, the epoch of the creation; the birth of Christ was the epoch which gave rise to the Christian era.
(3): ( n.) A division of time characterized by the prevalence of similar conditions of the earth; commonly a minor division or part of a period.
(4): ( n.) The date at which a planet or comet has a longitude or position.
(5): ( n.) An arbitrary fixed date, for which the elements used in computing the place of a planet, or other heavenly body, at any other date, are given; as, the epoch of Mars; lunar elements for the epoch March 1st, 1860.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [3]
Copyright StatementThese files are public domain. Bibliography InformationMcClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Epoch'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/e/epoch.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
