Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  4000 Creation  »  4900 Time  »  4978 year

A period of twelve months, with additional periods inserted to bring the lunar year into line with the solar year. Certain calendar years have special significance. The term also denotes an indeterminate time when God will intervene to restore his people and punish his enemies.

The year made up of 12 months

1 Kings 4:7 See also 1 Chronicles 27:1-15; Esther 2:12; Daniel 4:29; Revelation 22:2

The start of the year

The start of the religious year

Exodus 12:2 The exodus from Egypt in Abib (March April) marked a new beginning in the life of God's people. See also Leviticus 23:5 pp Numbers 28:16 Abib is referred to as the first month; 2 Chronicles 35:1; Ezra 6:19

The start of the agricultural year

Exodus 23:16 The Feast of Ingathering (or Tabernacles) was celebrated in the seventh month. See also Exodus 34:22; Leviticus 23:23-24 pp Numbers 29:1

God's blessing through the year

Psalm 65:9-13 See also Deuteronomy 11:11-15; Deuteronomy 28:12

A thousand years as one day

Psalm 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8

Special years

The sabbatical year

Leviticus 25:1-7 See also Exodus 23:10-11; Leviticus 25:20-22 God's provision for the seventh year Deuteronomy 15:1 See also Deuteronomy 15:9; Nehemiah 10:31; Deuteronomy 31:10-13 the law of God to be read every seventh year at the Feast of Tabernacles

The Year of Jubilee

Leviticus 25:8-10 The Year of Jubilee began in the seventh month. See also Leviticus 25:11-12 The Year of Jubilee is a sabbath year; Leviticus 25:13 Each Hebrew is to return to his family property; Leviticus 25:28 Land is returned to its original owner; Leviticus 25:40 Hebrew slaves are to be released; Leviticus 25:54

Hebrew slaves released in the seventh year

Exodus 21:2 pp Deuteronomy 15:12 See also Jeremiah 34:14

The year of the LORD's favour

Isaiah 61:1-3 This has echoes of the Year of Jubilee and points to the time when God will restore his people. See also Luke 4:18-21; Isaiah 49:8-9; 2 Corinthians 6:2

Isaiah 63:4 Salvation for God's people is accompanied by judgment on his enemies.

The year of punishment

See also

Jeremiah 11:23; Jeremiah 23:12; Jeremiah 48:44

See also

4406  agriculture
4951  month
4970  seasons of year
5204  age
5725  old age
7400  New Year, the
7431  sabbatical year
7447  slavery, in OT
7482  Year of Jubilee
9155  millennium
9165  restoration
9210  judgment, God's