(he eschate hemera): Repeatedly used by Jesus inJoh 6:39,40,44,54;11:24;12:48, for the day of resurrection and judgment (seeESCHATOLOGY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT). Compare the usage in the Old Testament (Isa 2:2;Mic 4:1) and the New Testament (Ac 2:17;2Ti 3:1;2Pe 3:3;1 Joh 2:18;Jude 1:18) of "last days" and "last time" to denote the Messianic age.
SeeLATTER DAYS;LAST DAYS;LAST TIME.
InJoh 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 (Le 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