Topical Bible: Moon: Feast of the New Moon

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The Feast of the New Moon, also known as Rosh Chodesh, is a biblical observance marking the beginning of each month in the Hebrew calendar, which is lunar-based. This feast is significant in the religious life of Israel as it is a time of renewal and dedication to God. The New Moon is mentioned in various passages throughout the Bible, highlighting its importance in the worship and communal life of the Israelites.

Biblical References and Observance

The Feast of the New Moon is first mentioned in the Pentateuch, where it is established as a time of special offerings and sacrifices. In Numbers 28:11-15 , the Lord commands Moses regarding the offerings: "On the first day of each month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all without blemish." This passage outlines the specific sacrifices required, emphasizing the importance of purity and dedication in worship.

The New Moon is also a time for the blowing of trumpets, as stated in Psalm 81:3 : "Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and at the full moon on the day of our Feast." The blowing of the trumpet serves as a call to worship and a reminder of God's sovereignty and faithfulness.

Cultural and Religious Significance

In ancient Israel, the New Moon was a time of communal gathering and celebration. It was a day of rest and worship, similar to the Sabbath, though not as strictly observed. The New Moon provided an opportunity for the Israelites to realign their lives with God's will and to seek His guidance for the coming month.

The prophet Isaiah references the New Moon in a call to genuine worship, criticizing those who observe the feast without true devotion. Isaiah 1:13-14 states, "Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. Your New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them." This passage underscores the importance of sincerity in worship and the danger of empty ritualism.

The New Moon in the Prophets and Writings

The New Moon is also mentioned in the context of prophetic visions and future hope. In Ezekiel 46:1-3 , the prophet describes the temple worship in the Messianic age, where the New Moon will continue to be a time of worship: "This is what the Lord GOD says: The gate of the inner court facing east must be shut on the six working days, but it shall be opened on the Sabbath day and the day of the New Moon."

In the writings, the New Moon is a time of fellowship and feasting. 1 Samuel 20:5 records David's words to Jonathan: "Look, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I am supposed to dine with the king. But let me go so that I may hide in the field until the evening of the day after tomorrow." This passage illustrates the New Moon as a time of social and familial gathering.

Theological Implications

The Feast of the New Moon serves as a reminder of God's creation and His control over time and seasons. It is a symbol of renewal and a call to spiritual reflection. The observance of the New Moon points to the rhythm of life ordained by God and the need for continual dedication to His purposes.

In the New Testament, while the specific observance of the New Moon is not mandated for Christians, the principle of regular, intentional worship and dedication to God remains. Colossians 2:16-17 advises believers: "Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ." This passage highlights the fulfillment of the Old Testament feasts in Christ, who is the ultimate source of spiritual renewal and rest.

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Numbers 10:10
Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
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Numbers 28:11-15
And in the beginnings of your months you shall offer a burnt offering to the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;
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1 Chronicles 23:31
And to offer all burnt sacrifices to the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded to them, continually before the LORD:
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2 Chronicles 31:3
He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.
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Ezra 3:5
And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering to the LORD.
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Library

Colossians ii. 16-19
... Homily VII. Colossians ii. 16-19. Colossians ii.16-19 "Let no man therefore judge
you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day, or a new moon, or a ...
/.../homily vii colossians ii 16-19.htm

Letter xviii. --(For 346. ) Coss. Augustus Constantius iv ...
... When therefore the feast is finished, give notice again in these ... [4438] The 14th
day of the Moon, reckoning from the time of mean New Moon, took place on ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xviii for 346 coss augustus.htm

Whether the Ceremonies of the Old Law Ceased at the Coming of ...
... feast of Pentecost when the Old Law was given, to the feast of Pentecost on which
was given the Law of the living spirit: the feast of the New Moon, to Lady Day ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the ceremonies of the 3.htm

The Greeks had Some Knowledge of the True God.
... the Sabbath, which is called the first; [3257] nor do they hold the new moon, nor
the feast of unleavened bread, nor the feast, nor the great day." [3258] Then ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter v the greeks had some.htm

Letter vi. --For 334. Easter-Day, xii Pharmuthi, vii Id. April ...
... April; xvii Moon; ??ra Dioclet ... brought Israel out of Egypt, even He at this time calls
us to the feast, saying by Moses, Observe the month of new fruits [4073 ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter vi for 334 easter-day xii.htm

Letter v. --For 333. Easter-Day , Coss. Dalmatius and Zenophilus ...
... the time has arrived which brings to us a new beginning [4052 ... For it is not the sun,
or the moon, or the ... even the God Who at first established the feast for us ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter v for 333 easter-day.htm

The Foundations of Good Citizenship.
... also widespread. In the Hebrew religion the feast of the New Moon was closely
identified with that of the Sabbath. The Hebrew month ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study x the foundations of.htm

Letter xix. --(For 347. ) Coss. Rufinus, Eusebius; Pr??f. The Same ...
... 63; Moon 15. ... saying, Our Passover, Christ, is sacrificed [4441] .' Henceforth the
feast of the ... former things have ceased, and now the month of new things [4443 ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xix for 347 coss rufinus.htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... For the things of this lower world owe their variety chiefly to the movement of
the moon; wherefore this feast was kept at the new moon: and not at the full ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

On the Feast of the Nativity, vii.
... On the Feast of the Nativity, VII. ... returns to guiltlessness and the old nature becomes
new; strangers receive ... V. The sun and moon were created for use, not for ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxvii on the feast.htm