(שִׁחִר, shach'ar, Job 38:12, elsewhere usually "morning;" ἀνατολή, Luke 1:78, elsewhere "east"), signifies the first streaks of daylight, the dawn, or day-break; and in the former of the above-cited passages it is used in its literal sense. This portion of time was at a later period, in imitation of the Persians, divided into two parts, the first of which began when the eastern, the second when the western division of the horizon was illuminated. (See AIJELETH-SHAHAR). In the latter passage, the. birth of John the Baptist is beautifully compared to the early twilight preceding the rising of the great moral sun, the Messiah (comp. Malachi 4:2; Isaiah 60:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:6). (See DAY).