Definition and Etymology
Abib, also known as Nisan in later texts, is the first month of the Jewish religious calendar and the seventh month of the civil calendar. The term "Abib" is derived from a Hebrew word meaning "ear of grain" or "ripening," reflecting the time of year when barley was harvested. This month typically corresponds to March-April in the Gregorian calendar.

Biblical References
Abib is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the Exodus and the establishment of the Passover. In Exodus 12:2 , God instructs Moses and Aaron, "This month is to be the beginning of months for you; it is the first month of your year." This declaration establishes Abib as the starting point of the religious year for the Israelites.

In Exodus 13:4 , the departure of the Israelites from Egypt is recorded: "Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving." This emphasizes the significance of Abib as the time of liberation and new beginnings for the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 16:1 further instructs, "Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib He brought you out of Egypt by night." This verse highlights the importance of Abib in the observance of Passover, a key festival in Jewish tradition.

Cultural and Agricultural Significance
Abib marks the beginning of the spring season, a time of renewal and growth. Agriculturally, it is significant as it coincides with the barley harvest, which is the first grain to ripen in the land of Israel. The ripening of barley is a critical factor in determining the timing of the Passover festival, as the offering of the firstfruits of the barley harvest, known as the "Omer," is an integral part of the celebrations.

Transition to Nisan
After the Babylonian exile, the name "Nisan" became more commonly used, as seen in later biblical texts such as Nehemiah 2:1 and Esther 3:7. Despite the change in nomenclature, the significance of the month as the beginning of the religious year and its association with Passover remained unchanged.

Religious Observances
The month of Abib is central to several key religious observances in Judaism. The most prominent is the Passover (Pesach), which commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their liberation from slavery. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which begins on the 15th day of Abib and lasts for seven days, is also observed during this month. During this time, leavened bread is avoided, symbolizing the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt.

Conclusion
The month of Abib holds profound religious, historical, and agricultural significance in the Jewish tradition. As the first month of the religious calendar, it marks the beginning of the cycle of festivals and is a time of remembrance and celebration of God's deliverance and provision.Exodus 12:2
This month shall be to you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
Nave's Topical Index

24. abib -- fresh, young ears, also Canaanite name for the first ...
... fresh, young ears, also Canaanite name for the first month of the Jewish calendar.
Transliteration: abib Phonetic Spelling: (aw-beeb') Short Definition: Abib. ...
/hebrew/24.htm - 6k

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... The reign of fifty-five years attributed to Manasseh by the Jewish annalists cannot
be ... the reign to forty-five years, or else we must assume the first ten of ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

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