Topical Encyclopedia The term "New Moon" refers to the first day of the lunar month in the Hebrew calendar, marked by the appearance of the crescent moon. In biblical times, the New Moon held significant religious and cultural importance for the Israelites, serving as both a time marker and a sacred occasion for worship and offerings.Biblical References and Observances The New Moon is mentioned in several passages throughout the Old Testament, highlighting its role in the religious life of Israel. In Numbers 10:10, the Lord instructs Moses: "Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts—you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the LORD your God." This verse underscores the New Moon as a time of celebration and remembrance, marked by the blowing of trumpets and the presentation of offerings. In 1 Samuel 20:5, David speaks to Jonathan about the New Moon festival, saying, "Behold, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I should not fail to dine with the king." This indicates that the New Moon was also a time for communal meals and gatherings, often involving the royal court. The prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 1:13-14, conveys God's displeasure with the empty ritualism of the people, stating, "Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. Your New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts; they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them." Here, the New Moon is listed among the sacred times that had become corrupted by insincere worship. Sacrificial Offerings and Rituals The New Moon was a time for specific sacrificial offerings as outlined in Numbers 28:11-15: "On the first day of each month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all without blemish." These offerings were accompanied by grain offerings and drink offerings, signifying a renewal of dedication to God at the start of each month. Cultural and Religious Significance The New Moon was not only a religious observance but also a cultural marker that regulated the agricultural and social life of the Israelites. It was a time for resetting the calendar, planning agricultural activities, and gathering the community for worship and fellowship. In Amos 8:5, the New Moon is mentioned in the context of economic activity: "When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may open the wheat market?" This verse reflects the cessation of commercial activities during the New Moon, emphasizing its role as a day of rest and worship. Prophetic and Eschatological Themes The New Moon also carries prophetic and eschatological significance. In Isaiah 66:23, the prophet envisions a future time of universal worship: "From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come to worship before Me," says the LORD. This passage points to the New Moon as a symbol of the ultimate restoration and unity of worship among all nations. Conclusion The New Moon in biblical tradition is a multifaceted observance, encompassing elements of worship, community, and prophetic hope. It serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of time and the continual renewal of the covenant relationship between God and His people. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia New MoonNEW MOON See MOON, NEW; FASTS AND FEASTS. Smith's Bible Dictionary New MoonATS Bible Dictionary New MoonThe new moon was the commencement of each of the Hebrew months. See MONTH. The Hebrews had a particular veneration of the first day of every month, for which Moses appointed peculiar sacrifices, Numbers 28:11-15; but he gave no orders that it should be kept as a holy day, nor can it be proved that the ancients observed it as such: it was a festival of merely voluntary devotion. It appears that even from the time of Saul, they made on this day a sort of family entertainment; since David ought then to have been at the king's table and Saul took his absence amiss, 1 Samuel 20:5,18. Moses implies that, besides the national sacrifices then regularly offered, every private person had his particular sacrifices of devotion, Numbers 10:10. The beginning of the month was proclaimed by sound of trumpet, Psalm 81:3, and the offering of solemn sacrifices. But the most celebrated "new moon" was that at the beginning of the civil year, or first day of the month Tishri, Le 23:24. This was a sacred festival, on which no servile labor was performed, Am 8:5. In the kingdom of the ten tribes, it seems to have been a custom of the people to visit the prophets at the new moons, for the purpose of carrying them presents, and hearing their instructions, 2 Kings 4:23. Ezekiel says, Ezekiel 45:17, (see also 1 Chronicles 23:31 2 Chronicles 8:13) that the burnt offerings offered on the day of the new moon were to be provided at the king's expense. The observance of this festival was discontinued soon after the establishment of Christianity, Galatians 4:9,10 Colossians 2:16, though the Jews take some notice of the day even now. Greek 3561. noumenia -- new moon. ... noumenia. 3562 . new moon. ... new moon. Feminine of a compound of neos and men (as noun by implication, of hemera); the festival of new moon -- new moon. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3561.htm - 6k 3501a. neomenia -- a new moon 3501. neos -- a new moon Strong's Hebrew 2320. chodesh -- new moon, a month... 2319, 2320. chodesh. 2321 . new moon, a month. Transliteration: chodesh Phonetic Spelling: (kho'-desh) Short Definition: month. ... monthly, new moon. ... /hebrew/2320.htm - 6k 3386. Yaroach -- a Gadite Library There Is, Then, in the First Year, the New Moon of the First Month ... Colossians ii. 16-19 Jonathan's Love for David Mount Olivet. The Mount of Olives, 2 Samuel 15:30 Jonathan, the Pattern of Friendship The Greeks had Some Knowledge of the True God. And, Therefore, in this Concurrence of the Sun and Moon... A New Forest Ballad Letter xviii. --(For 346. ) Coss. Augustus Constantius iv ... And Whence, Finally, do You Know Whether all These Images which ... Resources What is the New Age movement? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the New Apostolic Church, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.org Old Testament vs. New Testament - What are the differences? | GotQuestions.org New: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Neophytes: General Scriptures Concerning New Moon: Traffic at Time of, Suspended Select Readings: The New Heaven and the New Earth The New Birth is for the Glory of God The New Birth is of the Mercy of God The New Birth is of the Will of God The New Birth: A Spiritual Resurrection The New Birth: All Saints Partake of The New Birth: Circumcision of the Heart The New Birth: Connected With Adoption The New Birth: Effected by Christ The New Birth: Effected by God The New Birth: Effected by The Holy Spirit The New Birth: Evidenced by Brotherly Love The New Birth: Evidenced by Faith in Christ The New Birth: Evidenced by Righteousness The New Birth: Manner of Effecting--Illustrated The New Birth: Newness of Life The New Birth: None Can Enter Heaven Without The New Birth: Partaking of the Divine Nature The New Birth: Preserves from Satan's Devices The New Birth: Produces Delight in God's Law The New Birth: Produces Hatred of Sin The New Birth: Produces Knowledge of God The New Birth: Produces Likeness to Christ The New Birth: Produces Likeness to God The New Birth: Produces Victory Over the World The New Birth: Putting on the New Man The New Birth: The Corruption of Human Nature Requires The New Birth: The Ignorant Cavil At The New Birth: The Washing of Regeneration The New Birth: Through the Instrumentality of The Ministry of the Gospel The New Birth: Through the Instrumentality of The Resurrection of Christ The New Birth: Through the Instrumentality of The Word of God Related Terms |
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