Topical Encyclopedia The moon, as described in the Bible, is a celestial body created by God to serve specific purposes in the heavens. It is mentioned numerous times throughout Scripture, highlighting its significance in the divine order of creation and its role in the lives of God's people.Creation of the Moon The moon was created by God on the fourth day of creation, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. The purpose of the moon, along with the sun and stars, was to serve as a "sign" and to "mark seasons, days, and years." Genesis 1:14-16 states: "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to distinguish between the day and the night, and let them be signs to mark the 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 govern the night. He also made the stars." The Moon's Role in Timekeeping and Festivals The moon plays a crucial role in the biblical calendar, particularly in the determination of months and the timing of religious festivals. The Hebrew calendar is lunar-based, with months beginning at the new moon. This is evident in passages such as Psalm 104:19 , which states, "He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set." The moon is also integral to the observance of various Jewish feasts and holy days. For example, the Feast of Trumpets, or Rosh Hashanah, is celebrated on the first day of the seventh month, which is determined by the new moon. Similarly, the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are linked to the lunar cycle. Symbolism and Imagery In addition to its practical functions, the moon is often used symbolically in the Bible. It is sometimes associated with God's enduring faithfulness and the constancy of His covenant with His people. In Psalm 89:37 , the moon is described as "a faithful witness in the sky." The moon also appears in prophetic and apocalyptic literature, where it can symbolize change or divine intervention. For instance, in Joel 2:31 , the prophet speaks of a time when "the sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD." The Moon in Worship and Praise The moon, as part of God's creation, is included in the call to worship and praise the Creator. Psalm 148:3 exhorts, "Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars." This reflects the belief that all of creation, including the moon, is designed to glorify God. Warnings Against Moon Worship While the moon is a significant part of God's creation, the Bible warns against the worship of the moon as a deity. In Deuteronomy 4:19 , the Israelites are cautioned: "And when you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven." The moon, therefore, is to be appreciated as a creation of God, serving its purpose in the divine order, but never to be worshipped in place of the Creator Himself. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 1:14And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 8:3 Library It Appears to Me that Celsus Has Also Misunderstood this Statement ... Concerning Light, Fire, the Luminaries, Sun, Moon and Stars. Gnostic Exposition of the Decalogue. Introduction to Proverbs viii. 22 Continued. Absurdity of ... God's Approbation of his Works On the World and the Movements of Rational Creatures, Whether Good ... Of God and his Attributes. The Sovereignty of God in Creation On the Creation of the World What the Scriptures Teach us to Believe Concerning the Creation of ... Resources What was Abraham's religion before God called him? | GotQuestions.orgIs an eclipse a sign of the end times? | GotQuestions.org How is the date for Easter determined? | GotQuestions.org Moon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Moon: Feast of the New Moon: Traffic at the Time of, Prohibited Moon: Joseph's Dream Concerning The Moon of Changeableness of the World The Moon of Fairness of the Church The Moon of Glory of Christ in the Church The Moon: (Becoming Blood) of Judgments The Moon: (Withdrawing Her Light) Deep Calamities The Moon: Appointed by an Ordinance for Ever The Moon: Appointed for a Light in the Firmament The Moon: Appointed for Signs and Seasons The Moon: Appointed for the Benefit of All The Moon: Appointed: To Divide Day from Night The Moon: Appointed: To Light the Earth by Night The Moon: Appointed: To Rule the Night The Moon: Called the Lesser Light The Moon: First Appearance of, a Time of Festivity The Moon: Has a Glory of Its Own The Moon: Influences Vegetation The Moon: Lunacy Attributed to the Influence of The Moon: Miracles Connected With: Signs In, Before the Destruction of Jerusalem The Moon: Miracles Connected With: Standing Still in Ajalon The Moon: Worshipped As the Queen of Heaven The Moon: Worshipping of Condemned As Atheism The Moon: Worshipping of Forbidden to the Jews The Moon: Worshipping of Jews often Guilty of The Moon: Worshipping of Jews Punished For The Moon: Worshipping of To be Punished With Death Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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