From mesos (middle) and nux (night). Literally 'the middle of the night' — midnight. Several pivotal biblical events occur at midnight, making this word theologically charged beyond its literal meaning.
Midnight in Scripture is often the hour of divine intervention. Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns at midnight when God sent an earthquake to free them from prison (Acts 16:25). Jesus told the parable of the bridegroom arriving at midnight (Matthew 25:6), teaching readiness for His return. At midnight, God struck down the firstborn of Egypt (Exodus 12:29). The pattern is clear: God works in the darkest hours.