Shebat, also spelled "Shevat," is the eleventh month of the Hebrew religious calendar and the fifth month of the civil calendar. It typically corresponds to January-February in the Gregorian calendar. The name "Shebat" is of Babylonian origin, reflecting the period of the Jewish exile and the subsequent adoption of Babylonian month names.

Biblical References:

The month of Shebat is mentioned explicitly in the Old Testament in the book of Zechariah. Zechariah 1:7 states, "On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo." This passage marks the beginning of a series of visions given to the prophet Zechariah, which are significant for their apocalyptic and messianic themes.

Historical and Religious Significance:

Shebat holds particular importance in Jewish tradition due to the celebration of Tu BiShvat, also known as the "New Year for Trees." This minor Jewish holiday occurs on the 15th of Shebat and is a time for planting trees and reflecting on the relationship between humans and the natural world. While Tu BiShvat is not mentioned in the Bible, it has become a significant cultural and religious observance, especially in modern Israel.

In the context of the biblical narrative, the month of Shebat is a time of prophetic revelation and divine communication, as evidenced by the visions of Zechariah. These visions include messages of hope, restoration, and the future glory of Jerusalem, themes that resonate deeply within the broader biblical message of redemption and covenant faithfulness.

Cultural Context:

During the post-exilic period, when the Jewish people returned from Babylonian captivity, the adoption of Babylonian month names, including Shebat, reflects the cultural and historical influences of the time. This period was marked by a renewed focus on rebuilding the Temple and re-establishing religious practices, as seen in the prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah.

Theological Themes:

The month of Shebat, particularly through the visions of Zechariah, emphasizes God's sovereignty and His plans for His people. The prophetic messages delivered during this time highlight themes of divine judgment, mercy, and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes. These themes are consistent with the broader biblical narrative, which underscores God's covenant relationship with Israel and His redemptive plan for humanity.

In summary, Shebat is a month rich in historical, cultural, and theological significance, serving as a reminder of God's ongoing work in the world and His faithfulness to His promises.Shebat

The fifth month of the Jewish civil year, and the eleventh of the ecclesiastical year, from the new moon of February to that of March, Zechariah 1:7. See MONTH.

SHEBAT

she-bat' (shebhat): The 11th month of the Jewish year (Zechariah 1:7), corresponding to February.

See CALENDAR.

7627. Shebat -- eleventh month in the Jewish calendar
... 7626, 7627. Shebat. 7628 . eleventh month in the Jewish calendar. Transliteration:
Shebat Phonetic Spelling: (sheb-awt') Short Definition: Shebat. ...
/hebrew/7627.htm - 6k

7625. shebat -- a tribe
... 7624, 7625. shebat. 7626 . a tribe. Transliteration: shebat Phonetic Spelling:
(sheb-at') Short Definition: tribes. ... 7624, 7625. shebat. 7626 . ...
/hebrew/7625.htm - 6k

Second Part
... the Great. Demonst. XIV. is formally dated in its last section, "in the
month Shebat. in the year 655" (that is, ad344). More fully ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/second part.htm

Syriac Calendar.
... December / Canun prior / Chisleu. January / Canun posterior / Tebeth. February /
Shubat / Shebat. March / Adar / Adar. April / Nisan / Nisan. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/syriac calendar.htm

Some General Matters and Some Biblical Characters. The Bible Book ...
... 10. Tebeth December and January. 11. Shebat January and February. 12. Adar February
and March. Politico-Religious Parties. 1. The Parties. (1) The Galileans. ...
/.../chapter viii some general matters.htm

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... The 8 ^th and 16 ^th days of the month Shebat are Jewish fast days.) Anna has come
to the cave with her second husband, Mary's elder sister, and a maidservant. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

Shebat (1 Occurrence)
...SHEBAT. she-bat' (shebhat): The 11th month of the Jewish year (Zechariah 1:7),
corresponding to February. ... Multi-Version Concordance Shebat (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/shebat.htm - 7k

Trumpets (52 Occurrences)
... herbs. On the 1st of Shebat is the new year for trees." 3. Ritual: The
ritual for the day consequently needs little explanation. ...
/t/trumpets.htm - 32k

Twenty-fourth (9 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 1:7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month
Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh came to Zechariah the ...
/t/twenty-fourth.htm - 9k

Berechiah (12 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 1:7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month
Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh came to Zechariah the ...
/b/berechiah.htm - 12k

Sheb'arim (1 Occurrence)
Sheb'arim. Shebarim, Sheb'arim. Shebat . Multi-Version Concordance Sheb'arim
(1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Shebarim, Sheb'arim. Shebat . Reference Bible.
/s/sheb'arim.htm - 6k

She-bear (2 Occurrences)
She-bear. Shebat, She-bear. She-bears . Multi-Version Concordance She-bear
(2 Occurrences). ... (DBY). Shebat, She-bear. She-bears . Reference Bible.
/s/she-bear.htm - 6k

Eleventh (19 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 1:7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month
Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh came to Zechariah the ...
/e/eleventh.htm - 12k

Feast (209 Occurrences)
... herbs. On the 1st of Shebat is the new year for trees." 3. Ritual: The
ritual for the day consequently needs little explanation. ...
/f/feast.htm - 47k

Iddo (14 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 1:7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month
Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh came to Zechariah the ...
/i/iddo.htm - 14k

Follows (65 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 1:7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month
Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh came to Zechariah the ...
/f/follows.htm - 25k

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