Dictionary of Bible Themes Distinctive periods of the year marked by certain climatic conditions. Seasons are examples of God's perfect order in the world. They represent the balanced cycle of creation which is sustained by God and through which his provision and mercy are made known. Psalms 74:16-17Seasons are appointed by God See also Seasons are created by God Genesis 1:14; 8:22Psalms 104:19 Jeremiah 5:24 See also Seasons are sustained by God Job 38:32-33Ezekiel 34:26 Acts 14:17 Joel 2:23 The agricultural seasons of Palestine The dry and rainy seasons See also Ezra 10:13The rainy season, accounting for over 90 per cent of the national rainfall, runs from October to March/April. Its beginning is marked by the autumn rains in October/November; the lighter spring showers in April/May announce the coming of the dry season. Hosea 6:3James 5:7 Leviticus 26:3-4 Deuteronomy 11:13-14; 28:12 Israel's continued enjoyment of seasonal blessings was conditional upon her obedience: Proverbs 20:4Seedtime and harvest See also Exodus 34:21Ploughing and sowing take place from October to December when the autumn rains have begun to soften the ground. Most crops are harvested between April and June. Numbers 13:20Job 5:26 Psalms 1:3 Job 29:23 Spring Spring rain as a sign of blessing Proverbs 16:15Jeremiah 3:3 The gentle spring rains signal the approach of harvest Zechariah 10:1Songs 2:11-13 Spring as a time of growth See also Proverbs 27:25Spring marks a pleasant interval between the heavy winter rains and the onset of the dry season. Joel 2:22Matthew 24:32 pp Mk 13:28 2 Samuel 11:1pp Lk 21:29-30 Spring as a time for war 1 Kings 20:26pp 1Ch 20:1 2 Kings 13:20The time following the spring harvest (May/June), when agricultural commitments are reduced Leviticus 23:5-6Festivals celebrated in spring Leviticus 23:10pp Nu 28:16-17 Passover and Unleavened Bread Leviticus 23:15-16offering the firstfruits of the barley harvest pp Dt 16:9-10 The Feast of Weeks celebrated the ingathering of the grain harvest. Psalms 32:4Summer See also A period of intense heat Job 6:17Jeremiah 8:20 See also A time for harvesting summer fruit Proverbs 10:5Jeremiah 40:10-12 Micah 7:1 Grapes, olives and figs are harvested in July/September Proverbs 6:8; 30:25A time to store harvested grain Psalms 84:6Autumn The breaking of the summer drought See also Autumn is the start of the rainy season and corresponds to the time of ploughing and sowing. Leviticus 23:24Festivals celebrated in autumn Leviticus 23:27pp Nu 29:1 the Feast of Trumpets Leviticus 23:34pp Nu 29:7 the Day of Atonement pp Nu 29:12 the Feast of Tabernacles Job 37:6-10Winter See also A time of inclement weather Isaiah 55:10Jeremiah 36:22 Matthew 24:20 A time when travelling is difficult 2 Timothy 4:21Acts 27:12 pp Mk 13:18 1 Corinthians 16:6Titus 3:12 John 10:22 Celebration of the Feast of Dedication See also The Feast of Dedication (Hannukah) commemorates the rededication of the temple by Judas Maccabeus in 165 B.C. 1035 God, faithfulness1325 God, the Creator 4406 agriculture 4464 harvest 4807 colours 4830 height 4845 rainbow 4850 south 4951 month 4978 year 5607 warfare, examples 7354 feasts and festivals |
    |