Chislev, also spelled Kislev, is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to late November and December in the Gregorian calendar. It is a month of significant historical and religious importance in the Jewish tradition, as well as in the biblical narrative.

Biblical References:

Chislev is mentioned in the Bible in the context of events that took place during this month. One notable reference is found in the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah 1:1 states, "These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa." This passage marks the beginning of Nehemiah's account of his concern for Jerusalem and his subsequent journey to rebuild its walls. The mention of Chislev here sets the stage for the narrative of restoration and renewal that follows.

Historical and Religious Significance:

Chislev is a month often associated with the onset of winter in the land of Israel. The weather during this time can be cold and rainy, marking a transition from the harvest season to a period of rest and reflection. This seasonal change is reflected in the agricultural cycle of ancient Israel, where the early rains of Chislev were crucial for the germination of crops sown in the previous months.

In Jewish tradition, Chislev is most notably associated with the festival of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. Although Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, it commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. This event, which took place in the 2nd century BCE, is celebrated for eight days starting on the 25th of Chislev. The festival is characterized by the lighting of the menorah, symbolizing the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days.

Cultural Context:

The month of Chislev, with its association with Hanukkah, has become a time of celebration and reflection on themes of dedication, light, and divine providence. For Christians, while Hanukkah is not a biblical festival they observe, the themes of light and dedication resonate with the Christian understanding of Jesus as the Light of the World (John 8:12).

Conclusion:

Chislev, as the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar, holds a place of importance both in the biblical narrative and in Jewish cultural and religious life. Its mention in the book of Nehemiah highlights a period of significant historical events, while its association with Hanukkah underscores themes of faith, perseverance, and divine intervention.CHISLEU; CHISLEV

kis'-lu, kis'-lev.

See KISLEV.

3691. Kislev -- the ninth month of the Jewish calendar
... 3690, 3691. Kislev. 3692 . the ninth month of the Jewish calendar. Transliteration:
Kislev Phonetic Spelling: (kis-lave') Short Definition: Chislev. ...
/hebrew/3691.htm - 6k

A Reformer's Schooling
... And it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan
the palace, 2. That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a reformers schooling.htm

At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.
... [4377] In that case, the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple,' which commenced
on the 25th day of Chislev, and lasted eight days, would have begun on ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv at the feast.htm

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ...
... The date of the final profanation of the Temple was the 25th Chislev (corresponding
to our December) - the same on which, after its purification by Judas ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iv an abstract of.htm

Chislev (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHISLEU; CHISLEV. kis'-lu, kis'-lev. See
KISLEV. Multi-Version Concordance Chislev (2 Occurrences). ...
/c/chislev.htm - 7k

Kislev (2 Occurrences)
... kis'-lef (kiclew; the King James Version Chisleu, the Revised Version (British and
American) "Chislev"): The 9th month of the Jewish year, corresponding to ...
/k/kislev.htm - 7k

Chisleu (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHISLEU; CHISLEV. kis'-lu, kis'-lev. See
KISLEV. Multi-Version Concordance Chisleu (2 Occurrences). ...
/c/chisleu.htm - 7k

Desolation (131 Occurrences)
... In Jerusalem on the 15th of Chislev of the year 145 aet Sel, ie in December 168
BC, a pagan altar was built on the Great Altar of Burnt Sacrifices, and on the ...
/d/desolation.htm - 46k

Abomination (78 Occurrences)
... In Jerusalem on the 15th of Chislev of the year 145 aet Sel, ie in December 168
BC, a pagan altar was built on the Great Altar of Burnt Sacrifices, and on the ...
/a/abomination.htm - 55k

Nehemi'ah (8 Occurrences)
... of Hacaliah. Now it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth
year, as I was in Shushan the castle, (See RSV). Nehemiah ...
/n/nehemi'ah.htm - 8k

Castle (26 Occurrences)
... of Hacaliah. Now it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth
year, as I was in Shushan the palace, (See JPS). Nehemiah ...
/c/castle.htm - 15k

Citadel (20 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month
Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, (See NIV). ...
/c/citadel.htm - 13k

Chislon (1 Occurrence)

/c/chislon.htm - 6k

Calendar
... refers to a Phoenician god after whom the month was named; 'Elul occurs in Nehemiah
6:15; Kiclew (the American Standard Revised Version "chislev") in Nehemiah 1 ...
/c/calendar.htm - 13k

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