months

A Dictionary of the Bible | 1997 | 700+ words | Copyright

months The early Hebrews used a lunar calendar, and the first of each month was signalled by the new moon. The names of the months were Canaanite: several are mentioned in the OT (e.g. Ziv, the second month, 1 Kgs. 6: 1; Bul, the eighth month, 1 Kgs. 6: 38). During the Exile numbers were adopted, followed after the Exile by the babylonian names which had been learnt; those months mentioned in the OT begin with Nisan (March–April), during which Passover was celebrated; then Chislev (Neh. 1: 1), Tebeth (Esther 2: 16), Shebat (Zech. 1: 7), and Adar (Ezra 6: 15). When a solar calendar was adopted, the old lunar calendar was retained in some religious circles (e.g. at Qumran). In the NT there are no names of months.

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W. R. F. BROWNING. "months." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

W. R. F. BROWNING. "months." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-months.html

W. R. F. BROWNING. "months." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-months.html

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