Topical Bible: Month: Sivan: (June)

◄ Month: Sivan: (June) ►

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Overview:
Sivan is the third month of the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to late May and early June in the Gregorian calendar. It is a month of significant agricultural and religious importance in the biblical context. The name "Sivan" is of Babylonian origin, reflecting the period of the Jewish exile and subsequent return, during which the Babylonian names for months were adopted.

Biblical Significance:
Sivan is most notably recognized for the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot, which occurs on the sixth day of this month. This feast is one of the three major pilgrimage festivals outlined in the Torah, alongside Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles. Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, an event of profound spiritual significance for the Israelites. In the New Testament, this festival is known as Pentecost, marking the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, as described in Acts 2.

Scriptural References:
The month of Sivan is mentioned explicitly in the Book of Esther. Esther 8:9 states, "At once the royal scribes were summoned, on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all of Mordecai’s orders to the Jews and to the satraps, governors, and princes of the 127 provinces from India to Cush—the orders were written to each province in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language."

This passage highlights the historical context of Sivan during the Persian Empire, where it was a time of communication and decree, reflecting the administrative practices of the period.

Agricultural Context:
Sivan falls during the late spring and early summer, a time when the wheat harvest is gathered in Israel. This agricultural cycle is integral to the celebration of Shavuot, which is also known as the Feast of Harvest. The offering of the first fruits, or Bikkurim, is a key aspect of this festival, symbolizing gratitude and dependence on God's provision.

Religious Observance:
Shavuot is a time of spiritual reflection and renewal, as it marks the anniversary of the covenant between God and Israel. Traditionally, Jewish communities engage in all-night study sessions of the Torah, known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot, to honor the giving of the Law. The Book of Ruth is often read during this time, emphasizing themes of loyalty, faith, and divine providence.

Conclusion:
The month of Sivan holds a place of deep religious and historical significance within the biblical narrative. It serves as a reminder of God's revelation and the enduring covenant with His people. Through the observance of Shavuot, believers are called to reflect on the foundational truths of their faith and the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit, as celebrated in the events of Pentecost.

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Esther 8:9
Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India to Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
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Library

Syriac Calendar.
... Month / Syrian / Hebrew. October / Tishri prior / Tishri, or Ethanim. ... May / Ajar /
Zif, or Iyar. June / Chaziran / Sivan. July / Tamuz / Tammuz. August / Ab / Ab ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/syriac calendar.htm

The Teaching of the Apostles.
... is 342. [3056] This month answers to Sivan, which began with the new moon
of June.--Tr. [3057] C. reads "fourteenth.". [3058] The ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents the teaching 2.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... preferred to approach it in front; he faced the desert, and, in spite of the drought,
he invested the strongest citadel of Tul-Aba in the month of June, 877 BC ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... returned to Nineveh, and on the 8th of Sivan, or May ... at Opis in the beginning of
Tammuz, or June, and a few ... 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days of the month, as well ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm