Topical Bible: Time: Computed by Months

◄ Time: Computed by Months ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the computation of time by months is a significant aspect of the ancient Hebrew calendar, which is primarily lunar-based. The Hebrew calendar, as reflected in the Bible, consists of months that are determined by the cycles of the moon, with each month beginning with the new moon. This method of timekeeping is evident throughout the Old Testament and plays a crucial role in the religious and agricultural life of the Israelites.

Lunar Months in the Hebrew Calendar

The Hebrew calendar is composed of twelve months, with each month typically having 29 or 30 days. This lunar system occasionally requires the addition of a thirteenth month, known as Adar II, to realign the calendar with the solar year. This intercalation ensures that the festivals and agricultural seasons remain consistent with the solar year.

Biblical References to Months

The Bible frequently references months in relation to significant events and religious observances. For instance, in Genesis 7:11 , the timing of the flood is specified: "In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened." This passage highlights the use of months to mark historical events.

The Book of Exodus provides further insight into the importance of months in the religious calendar. Exodus 12:2 states, "This month is to be the beginning of months for you; it is the first month of your year." This verse refers to the month of Nisan, which is established as the first month of the religious calendar, marking the time of the Passover and the Exodus from Egypt.

Religious Observances and Festivals

The computation of time by months is integral to the observance of Jewish festivals and religious practices. Leviticus 23 outlines the appointed feasts of the Lord, many of which are tied to specific months. For example, the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the fifteenth day of the first month (Leviticus 23:6), and the Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the seventh month (Leviticus 23:34).

The New Moon, marking the beginning of each month, is also a time of significance. Numbers 10:10 instructs, "Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed feasts and New Moon festivals—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."

Cultural and Agricultural Significance

The computation of time by months is not only religious but also agricultural. The timing of planting and harvest is closely linked to the lunar calendar. The month of Abib (Nisan) is associated with the barley harvest, as seen in Exodus 9:31 : "Now the flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bloom."

Conclusion

The biblical computation of time by months reflects a deep connection between the Israelites' religious observances, historical events, and agricultural practices. The lunar calendar serves as a framework for understanding the rhythm of life as ordained by God, emphasizing the importance of time in the divine order.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 10:10
Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 27:1
Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 3:6
As for that night, let darkness seize on it; let it not be joined to the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

section iv.
... out of the computation of our age, and every man is some months elder than ... In that
obscure World and Womb of our Mother, our time is short, computed by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section iv.htm

Jews.
... the siege, which lasted nearly five months, upwards of ... the bloody and tremendous
consummation, is computed to have ... 134, they were a second time slaughtered in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/jews.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... From which time the years summed up to the death ... and in accordance with the dates,
as computed by the ... Samuel, four hundred and sixty-three years, seven months. ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... Ned.27 b; 28 a). And about the time of Christ ... from five to eight such changes being
computed for a ... taxation, with sufficient corn to last eight months, and the ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

The Mystery
... marked, not by hours, but rather by months, or at least, by entire days. In the
meanwhile it is to be observed, that the time is here to be computed, not from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery.htm

The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ...
... Not expecting the arrival of the Lord in the night-time (which is the most unlikely
for His Coming ... 5360] If these are computed to last nine months, it must ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the evening of.htm

The Three Parables of Warning: to the Individual, to the Nation ...
... of the year, [4450] the two barren months being probably ... And this time the direction
to the Servant is not, as ... double part of an eldest son was computed in the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvi the three parables.htm

The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes
... the harbour, where many continued above two months; the shakes ... part of the inhabitants
(who were computed near sixty ... at such a season, had time for deliberation ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 129 the cause and.htm

Alexandria and Rome - the Jewish Communities in the Capitals of ...
... were the outcome of public feeling at the time against all ... and of about 1,575 tons,
and is computed to have ... 264] The journey took about three months, either up ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v alexandria and rome.htm

The Great Controversy
... Daniel 7:25), the "forty and two months" (Revelation 11:2 ... The Prophecy of Daniel
Relating to the Time of the ... every version in every land, were computed at not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/the great controversy.htm