Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7400 New Year, the

◄ 7400 New Year, the ►

Dictionary of Bible Themes

With the exception of one reference (Ex 12:2) the New Year is never specifically dated. The religious calendar apparently began in the spring and the agricultural calendar in the autumn. Later Judaism began its calendar in the autumn.

1 Kings 8:2

Evidence that the autumn was regarded as the New Year

The dedication of Solomon's temple

Leviticus 25:8-9

Solomon waited 11 months after the completion of the temple (see 1Ki 6:38), before dedicating it, most likely because the great Feast of Tabernacles marked the beginning of the year.

Instructions for celebrating the Year of Jubilee

See also

Leviticus 16:29

The Year of Jubilee was to be proclaimed on the tenth day of the seventh month, which was also the Day of Atonement.

Ezekiel 40:1

Ezekiel's vision of the new temple

1 Kings 12:32

This vision of the new temple takes place at the beginning of the year. The "tenth of the month" refers presumably to the seventh month.

Jeroboam's institution of an autumnal festival

See also

1 Kings 12:33

This autumn festival was clearly intended to be equivalent not only to the feast in Judah, but also to other pagan New Year festivals, in spite of the eighth month being distinctive.

Exodus 12:2

Evidence that the spring was regarded as the New Year

The institution of the Passover

See also

Leviticus 23:5

This clearly links the spring Feast of Passover to the New Year.

Numbers 9:2
Ezekiel 45:18-19

Ezekiel's vision of the worship of the new temple

See also

Ezekiel 45:21

This purification of Ezekiel's (ideal) temple resembles the Day of Atonement but takes place in the spring.

Numbers 29:1