Topical Bible: Moon: Seasons of (Months)

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The moon holds significant importance in the biblical narrative, particularly in its role in marking time and seasons. In the ancient Hebrew calendar, which is largely lunar, the moon was central to the demarcation of months and the observance of religious festivals.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible establishes the moon as a key element in the creation account. Genesis 1:14-16 states, "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.' And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars."

Here, the "lesser light" refers to the moon, which, along with the sun, serves as a celestial marker for time. The moon's phases were integral to the Hebrew calendar, which was based on lunar months.

Lunar Months in the Hebrew Calendar

The Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar, meaning it is based on the cycles of both the moon and the sun. Each month begins with the new moon, and a typical lunar month lasts approximately 29.5 days. This results in a year of about 354 days, necessitating periodic adjustments to align with the solar year.

The Bible often references the new moon as a time of significance. For instance, Numbers 10:10 instructs, "Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed feasts and New Moon festivals—you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the LORD your God."

Religious Observances

The new moon marked the beginning of each month and was a time for special offerings and sacrifices, as seen in passages like 1 Samuel 20:5 , where David speaks of the New Moon festival. The new moon was a time of renewal and reflection, setting the stage for the month's activities and religious observances.

Several key Jewish festivals are tied to the lunar calendar, including Passover, which begins on the 14th day of the first month (Nisan), and the Feast of Tabernacles, which starts on the 15th day of the seventh month (Tishri). These festivals are deeply rooted in the agricultural and historical life of Israel, with the moon serving as a divine timekeeper.

Symbolism and Prophecy

The moon also holds symbolic and prophetic significance in Scripture. In Psalm 89:37 , the moon is described as a faithful witness in the sky, symbolizing God's enduring covenant. Prophetic literature, such as Joel 2:31 , speaks of cosmic signs involving the moon: "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD."

Conclusion

In summary, the moon plays a vital role in the biblical understanding of time and seasons. It is a testament to God's order in creation, serving as a marker for months and religious observances. The moon's presence in Scripture underscores its importance in the rhythm of life and worship for the people of Israel, reflecting a divine orchestration of time that points to God's sovereignty and faithfulness.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 104:19
He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knows his going down.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Motions of the Sun and Moon.
... kept orderly; but the courses of the moon, in comparison ... night when he sets; from
him months and years ... reckoned, from him the variations of seasons are produced ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xlv motions of the sun.htm

Concerning Light, Fire, the Luminaries, Sun, Moon and Stars.
... it is the sun that makes the seasons, and through ... an opposite direction to the sun
and moon, and the ... traverses the twelve signs in the same number of months. ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter vii concerning light fire the.htm

All the Apostles Urge the Observance of the Order of the Church.
... those things that are without life do observe good order, as the night, the day,
the sun, the moon, the stars, the elements, the seasons, the months, the weeks ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v all the apostles urge.htm

On the Creation of the World
... the night," [2197] "the lights of the sun and moon and He ... upon the earth, and by
their positions distinguish the seasons, and years, and months, and days ...
/.../victorinus/on the creation of the world/on the creation of the.htm

The Meaning
... refer: "He appointed the moon for seasons," ltvdym that ... should not the symbol of
the moon, appointed to ... defiled by idols, is described by months, according to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the meaning 3.htm

Whether it was Fitting that Christ Should Work Miracles in the ...
... who gaze at the stars and observe the months," as it ... it is clear that the wonted
course of the seasons was not ... because the Divine power caused the moon both to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was fitting that 9.htm

And God Himself, as an Earnest of Future Reward...
... not defined by intervals of days and months, the revolutions of ... or the recurrence
of times and seasons, but commensurate ... sun, nor the lustre of the moon or the ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter vi and god himself.htm

The Sermon of the Seasons
... remaining is counted by days; not even months or years ... In our seasons there is an
order visible to God ... of "abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth." His ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the sermon of the seasons.htm

The Theory of the Marcosians, that Created Things were Made after ...
... [2877] And then, again, as the moon travels through ... the Duodecad manifest by these
twelve months; and the ... out its eternity into times, and seasons, and vast ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvii the theory of the.htm

Epistle xv. To Moyses and Maximus, and the Rest of the Confessors.
... you, He who made the sun and moon was a ... has passed through the vicissitudes of the
months; but you ... is celebrated the vicissitude of the seasons with spiritual ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle xv to moyses and.htm