Biblical Calendar

Days begin at sunset and end at sunset (Genesis 1:5). Weeks start on day one and end on the seventh day, called the Sabbath (Leviticus 23:15-16). Months start with the sighting of the new moon. (Deuteronomy 16:1) There are twelve months in the Jewish calendar. The months are filled with 29 or 30 days. Years begin in the month of Aviv when barley will be harvestable (Leviticus 23:4-14).

In ancient times, and even today, the Hebrew calendar was measured by actual personal observation of the sighting of the new moon (Numbers 10:10, Psalms 81:3-4). Rosh Hodesh, in Hebrew, means head of the month. The Word of Yahweh contains five months with specific names, they are:

*Aviv also Abib – first month – early ‘spring.’                                   

 Exodus 12:2, 13:4, 23:15, 34:18 Deut.16:1

*Ziv also Zif – second month – literally ‘light’ (1 Kings 6:1, 6:37).

*Etanim also Ethanim – seventh month – literally ‘strong’ in the plural (1 Kings 8:2).

*Bul – eighth month (1 Kings 6:38).

*Adar – twelfth month (Esther 3:13, 8:12).

The rest of the months are named, The Third Month, The Fourth Month, The Fifth Month, The Sixth Month, The Ninth Month, The Tenth Month, and The Eleventh Month. Seven days are named the First Day, the Second Day, the Third Day, and so on, with the exception of the Sabbath.

The modern Jewish calendar has renamed most of the months which occurred during the Babylonian exile and influence. Today, Modern Hebrew calendars are produced with confusing mathematical calculations.

Aviv, or Abib, is a Hebrew word meaning to be tender, green, and young.

A 13th month, called Adar II, is sometimes added, accompanying a leap year. This timing is when the barley is not yet in the Abib stage (a green phase in its development) by the end of the 12th month. In Exodus 12, Yahweh set the order of months. Aviv, or Abib, is the first month, and Passover is celebrated, marking the redemption of Israel from Egypt. Rosh Hashanah, meaning Head of the year, is the civil New Year and happens in the month of Etanim or Ethanim, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar.

The Gregorian calendar, which most western nations utilize, is a solar calendar. A Pope named Gregory VIII saw fit to change Yahweh’s calendar in 1582. The Catholics also changed the Sabbath day to Sunday. The Vatican views all Christian churches who observe Sunday, a day originally dedicated to Sun worship, as their sister churches in arms! Yahweh did not name the days or months of this calendar. Society has been duped by Satan, confusing the world with pagan practices. Nations throughout the world continue to follow man-made pagan calendars. This course of action is man’s rebellion against the mandates of Elohim and is an end-time sign that the anti-Christ spirit is at work. The ‘Days of Messiah’ will soon be reckoned.

The Biblical calendar is simply based on personal observation of the sighting of the new moon and the flow of agricultural crops. The Earth dictates the season of events according to our Creator’s hand.

The Biblical Calendar provides exact dates for annual Sabbaths and Feast Days without departure! (Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16).

Genesis 7:11-12 RSB – In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

The concept of time originated before there was a Jewish man.  Avraham wasn’t born yet or the Nation of Israel. When Yahweh chose the Nation of Israel as His people, they became the stewards and observers to our Creator’s High Holy Days. The Gentile Nations, now joined to the hip by the Jewish Messiah, are also to enjoy these Feast Days. The millennial reign of King Yahushua will feature all the festivities.

Blessed be the name of Yahweh, from eternity past to eternity future! For wisdom and power are His alone; He brings the changes of seasons and times; he installs and deposes kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those with discernment. He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him (Daniel 2:20-22 RSB).