May is the fifth month of the Gregorian calendar, widely used in contemporary times. While the Bible does not specifically mention the month of May, understanding its place in the calendar can provide context for biblical events and agricultural practices in ancient Israel.

Agricultural Significance

In the ancient Near East, including Israel, the month corresponding to May would typically fall within the time of the barley and wheat harvests. This period is significant in the biblical calendar, as it aligns with the Feast of Weeks, also known as Shavuot or Pentecost. This feast is celebrated seven weeks after the offering of the firstfruits during Passover. Leviticus 23:15-16 instructs, "From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you are to count seven full weeks. You shall count fifty days until the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD."

Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)

The Feast of Weeks is a time of thanksgiving for the harvest and is one of the three pilgrimage festivals where Israelites were commanded to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem. Deuteronomy 16:10 states, "And you shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God with a freewill offering that you give in proportion to how the LORD your God has blessed you."

In the New Testament, Pentecost holds additional significance as the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, marking the birth of the Church. Acts 2:1-4 describes this event: "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

Cultural and Historical Context

In the context of ancient Israel, the agricultural cycle was deeply intertwined with religious observance. The successful harvests in May would have been a time of joy and gratitude, reflecting the Israelites' dependence on God's provision. The Psalms often reflect this theme of reliance on God for sustenance and blessing. Psalm 67:6 declares, "The earth has yielded its harvest; God, our God, blesses us."

Symbolism and Themes

May, as a time of harvest, can symbolize spiritual growth and the fruits of one's labor in the Christian life. The themes of sowing and reaping are prevalent throughout Scripture, emphasizing the principle that one's actions and faithfulness yield results in due time. Galatians 6:9 encourages believers, "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

While the Bible does not explicitly mention the month of May, its alignment with significant agricultural and religious events provides a rich tapestry of meaning and reflection for believers.1. (n.) An auxiliary verb qualifying the meaning of another verb, by expressing: (a) Ability, competency, or possibility; -- now oftener expressed by can.

2. (n.) A maiden.

3. (n.) The fifth month of the year, containing thirty-one days.

4. (n.) The early part or springtime of life.

5. (n.) The flowers of the hawthorn; -- so called from their time of blossoming; also, the hawthorn.

6. (n.) The merrymaking of May Day.

5600. o -- may, might
... 5599, 5600. o. 5601 . may, might. Transliteration: o Phonetic Spelling: (o)
Short Definition: may. Word Origin the subjunctive of eimi, qv. may, might ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5600.htm - 6k

2071. esomai -- should be, shall come to pass, may have
... should be, shall come to pass, may have. Transliteration: esomai Phonetic Spelling:
(es'-om-ahee) Short Definition: be. ... should be, shall come to pass, may have ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2071.htm - 6k

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... Eph 2:8,9: " For by grace you have been saved through (4102); and that not of
yourselves, it is ; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

3367. medeis, medemia, meden -- no one, nothing
... no one, nothing. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: medeis, medemia, meden
Phonetic Spelling: (may-dice') Short Definition: no one, nothing Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3367.htm - 7k

2481. isos -- perhaps
... perhaps. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: isos Phonetic Spelling: (ee'-soce)
Short Definition: perhaps Definition: perhaps, equally; it may be that. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2481.htm - 6k

3648. holokleros -- complete, entire
... 1 Thes 5:23: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you (3651 ); and may your
spirit and soul and body be preserved (3648 ), without blame at the coming of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3648.htm - 7k

2107. eudokia -- good pleasure
... 1:10], indeed each time we pray about () you -- for the purpose () that our God
may deem you worthy of the calling, and may fulfill every (2107 , of God) that ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2107.htm - 7k

3387. me tis -- any
me tis. 3386, 3387. me tis. 3388 . any. Transliteration: me tis Phonetic Spelling:
(may'-tis) Short Definition: any. Word Origin see me and tis. any ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3387.htm - 6k

1410. dunamai -- to be able, to have power
... verb Definition to be able, to have power NASB Word Usage able (50), am able (2),
can (60), cannot (1), cannot* (59), could (24), may (1), might (3), power ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1410.htm - 10k

3381. me pos -- lest perhaps, whether perhaps
... lest perhaps, whether perhaps. Part of Speech: Conjunction,Negative Transliteration:
me pos Phonetic Spelling: (may'-pos) Short Definition: lest in any way ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3381.htm - 6k

3150. Yizziyyah -- "may Yah sprinkle," an Israelite
... 3149, 3150. Yizziyyah. 3151 . "may Yah sprinkle," an Israelite. Transliteration:
Yizziyyah Phonetic Spelling: (yiz-zee-yaw') Short Definition: Izziah. ...
/hebrew/3150.htm - 6k

3360. Yeqamam -- "may kinsman establish," a Levite
... 3359, 3360. Yeqamam. 3361 . "may kinsman establish," a Levite. Transliteration:
Yeqamam Phonetic Spelling: (yek-am'-awm) Short Definition: Jekameam. ...
/hebrew/3360.htm - 6k

466. Eliphelehu -- "may God distinguish him," a doorkeeper
... Eliphelehu. 467 . "may God distinguish him," a doorkeeper. Transliteration:
Eliphelehu Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-fe-lay'-hoo) Short Definition: Eliphelehu. ...
/hebrew/466.htm - 6k

3132. Yoelah -- "may He avail," one of David's heroes
... 3131, 3132. Yoelah. 3133 . "may He avail," one of David's heroes. Transliteration:
Yoelah Phonetic Spelling: (yo-ay-law') Short Definition: Joelah. ...
/hebrew/3132.htm - 6k

3395. Yerocham -- "may He be compassionate," the name of several ...
... "may He be compassionate," the name of several Israelites. Transliteration: Yerocham
Phonetic Spelling: (yer-o-khawm') Short Definition: Jeroham. ...
/hebrew/3395.htm - 6k

3181. Yachmay -- "may He protect," a man of Issachar
... 3180, 3181. Yachmay. 3182 . "may He protect," a man of Issachar. Transliteration:
Yachmay Phonetic Spelling: (yakh-mah'-ee) Short Definition: Jahmai. ...
/hebrew/3181.htm - 6k

3165. Yechdeyahu -- "may Yah give joy," two Israelites
... Yechdeyahu. 3166 . "may Yah give joy," two Israelites. Transliteration: Yechdeyahu
Phonetic Spelling: (yekh-dee-yaw'-hoo) Short Definition: Jehdeiah. ...
/hebrew/3165.htm - 6k

3171. Yechiel -- "may God live," the name of a number of Isr.
... Yechiel or Yechavel. 3172 . "may God live," the name of a number of Isr. ... Word Origin
from chayah and el Definition "may God live," the name of a number of Isr. ...
/hebrew/3171.htm - 6k

3396. Yerachmeel -- "may God have compassion," an Israelite name
... Yerachmeel. 3397 . "may God have compassion," an Israelite name. Transliteration:
Yerachmeel Phonetic Spelling: (yer-akh-meh-ale') Short Definition: Jerahmeel ...
/hebrew/3396.htm - 6k

3174. Yechiyyah -- "may Yah live," an Israelite
... 3173, 3174. Yechiyyah. 3175 . "may Yah live," an Israelite. Transliteration:
Yechiyyah Phonetic Spelling: (yekh-ee-yaw') Short Definition: Jehiah. ...
/hebrew/3174.htm - 6k

May 9:
... 9-May. May 9th. There may be only one avenue between the new life and the
old, it may be but a small and SUBTERRANEAN PASSAGE, but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/may 9 0.htm

May.
... May. Is it merely a fancy that we are losing that love for Spring which
among our old forefathers rose almost to worship? That the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /may.htm

May 2:
... 2-May. May 2d. How can the New Life deliver itself from the still-persistent
past? A ready solution of the difficulty would be TO DIE. . . . ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/may 2 0.htm

May 5:
... 5-May. May 5th. If the Christian is to "live unto God," he must "die unto
sin." If he does not kill sin, sin will inevitably kill him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/may 5 0.htm

May 3:
... 3-May. May 3d. The spiritual man having passed from Death unto Life, the
natural man must next proceed to pass from Life unto Death. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/may 3 0.htm

May 6:
... 6-May. May 6th. Do not resent temptation; do not be perplexed because it
seems to thicken round you more and more, and ceases neither ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/may 6 0.htm

May 7:
... 7-May. May 7th. It is a peculiarity of the sinful state, that as a general rule
men are linked to evil mainly by a single correspondence. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/may 7 0.htm

May 4:
... 4-May. May 4th. The peculiar feature of Death by Suicide is that it is not
only self-inflicted but sudden. And there are many sins ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/may 4 0.htm

May 1:
... 1-May. May 1st. The moment the new life is begun there comes a genuine anxiety to
break with the old. For the former environment has now become embarrassing. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/may 1 0.htm

May 8:
... 8-May. May 8th. One little weakness, we are apt to fancy, all men must be
allowed, and we even claim a certain indulgence for that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/may 8 0.htm

May (14936 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The merrymaking of May Day. Multi-Version Concordance May (14936
Occurrences). May is used 14936 times in 12 translations. ...
/m/may.htm - 7k

Victuals (32 Occurrences)
... 15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert
place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into ...
/v/victuals.htm - 17k

Vine-growers (13 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:38 and the husbandmen having seen the son, said among themselves, This
is the heir, come, we may kill him, and may possess his inheritance; (See NAS ...
/v/vine-growers.htm - 9k

Simile (61 Occurrences)
... Matthew 24:32 And from the fig-tree learn ye the simile: When already its branch
may have become tender, and the leaves it may put forth, ye know that summer ...
/s/simile.htm - 22k

Void (64 Occurrences)
... In 2 Maccabees the Greek word is keneon, which may mean either "an open place,"
in general, or, specifically, "the hollow between the ribs and the hip," whence ...
/v/void.htm - 26k

Son's (34 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:25 He said, "Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison,
that my soul may bless you." He brought it near to him, and he ate. ...
/s/son's.htm - 17k

Kills (38 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:21 Ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not kill, and
whoever may kill shall be in danger of the judgment; (See RSV). ...
/k/kills.htm - 17k

Villages (106 Occurrences)
... Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy
themselves food." (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/v/villages.htm - 38k

Zerubbabel (25 Occurrences)
... 2. Family: Whatever may have been his blood relationship to Jeconiah, the Scriptures
teach that Zerubbabel was his legal successor, of the 3rd or 4th generation ...
/z/zerubbabel.htm - 20k

Savoury (7 Occurrences)
... Savoury (7 Occurrences). Genesis 27:4 And make me savory food, such as I love, and
bring it to me, that I may eat. That my soul may bless thee before I die. ...
/s/savoury.htm - 8k

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