Topical Bible: Month: Abib (April): Passover Instituted and Celebrated In

◄ Month: Abib (April): Passover Instituted and Celebrated In ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Abib Defined:
Abib, also known as Nisan in later Jewish tradition, is the first month of the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to March-April in the Gregorian calendar. The term "Abib" refers to the stage of ripening grain, particularly barley, marking the beginning of the harvest season in ancient Israel. This month holds significant religious importance as it is the time when the Passover, a pivotal event in Israelite history, was instituted and first celebrated.

Biblical Significance:
The month of Abib is most notably associated with the Passover, a foundational event in the history of the Israelites. The Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as described in the Book of Exodus. God commanded the observance of Passover as a perpetual ordinance for the Israelites, marking it as a time of remembrance and celebration of their liberation.

Institution of Passover:
The institution of Passover is detailed in Exodus 12. God instructed Moses and Aaron regarding the observance of this feast. On the tenth day of Abib, each household was to select a lamb without blemish. On the fourteenth day, the lamb was to be slaughtered at twilight, and its blood applied to the doorposts and lintels of the houses. This act served as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" the homes of the Israelites during the final plague—the death of the firstborn in Egypt.

The Lord said to Moses, "This month is to be the beginning of months for you; it is the first month of your year" (Exodus 12:2). This declaration established Abib as the starting point of the religious calendar for the Israelites, underscoring the significance of the Passover event.

Celebration of Passover:
The Passover meal, known as the Seder, was to be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, symbolizing the haste of the Israelites' departure and the bitterness of their bondage. The Lord commanded, "This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You are to eat it in haste—it is the LORD’s Passover" (Exodus 12:11).

The Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately follows Passover, lasting seven days, during which no leavened bread is to be consumed. This feast serves as a reminder of the Israelites' swift exodus from Egypt, when there was no time to let their bread rise.

Historical and Theological Implications:
The Passover is not only a historical event but also a profound theological symbol. It represents God's deliverance, faithfulness, and the establishment of a covenant relationship with His people. The blood of the Passover lamb is a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God," whose blood brings redemption and deliverance from sin for all who believe.

Conclusion:
The month of Abib, with its institution and celebration of Passover, marks a cornerstone of Israelite identity and faith. It is a time of reflection on God's mighty acts of salvation and a call to remember His enduring covenant with His people. The observance of Passover continues to hold deep spiritual significance, pointing to the greater redemption found in Christ.

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Exodus 12:1-28
And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying,
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Exodus 23:15
You shall keep the feast of unleavened bread: (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it you came out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)
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