Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7400 New Year, the

7400 New Year, the

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7400 New Year, the

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.

Evidence that the autumn was regarded as the New Year

The dedication of Solomon's temple

1 Kings 8:2 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

Leviticus 25:8-9 The Year of Jubilee was to be proclaimed on the tenth day of the seventh month, which was also the Day of Atonement. See also Leviticus 16:29

Ezekiel's vision of the new temple

Ezekiel 40:1 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

1 Kings 12:32 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. See also 1 Kings 12:33

Evidence that the spring was regarded as the New Year

The institution of the Passover

Exodus 12:2 This clearly links the spring Feast of Passover to the New Year. See also Leviticus 23:5; Numbers 9:2

Ezekiel's vision of the worship of the new temple

Ezekiel 45:18-19 This purification of Ezekiel's (ideal) temple resembles the Day of Atonement but takes place in the spring. See also Ezekiel 45:21

Occasions associating the New Year with the autumn

The sounding of trumpets

Numbers 29:1 See also Leviticus 23:24

The Day of Atonement

Leviticus 23:27

The Feast of Tabernacles

Deuteronomy 16:13 See also Leviticus 23:34