Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(moon). Hebrew month lunar, from new moon to new moon (Num. 10:10; 28:11-14). Intercalary month every three years. Months named, but usually went by number (Gen. 7:11; 2 Kings 25:3). See month names in place.
Concise Bible Dictionary:
The months were reckoned by the Jews from the moon. From new moon to new moon is about 29.5 days, and to suit this period their months consisted alternately of 29 and 30 days; thus 12 months would amount to only 354 days; being 11.25 days short of a solar year. This reckoning would soon have thrown out some of their festivals because they were connected with the first-fruits of the barley and wheat harvest. Every three years a month had to be added, and this was called Ve-adar, the “added Adar.” There were two periods for the year to commence: one called the Civil year, and the other the Sacred. The Israelites were brought out of Egypt in the month Abib, and that was to be the beginning of the year to them (Ex. 12:2; Ex. 13:4). This agrees with the sacred order, and all through the Old Testament when the name of a month is given, its position in the year agrees with this arrangement (See 1 Kings 6:1; Esther 3:7,13; Esther 8:12; Esther 9:1; Zech. 1:7; Zech. 7:1). It is remarkable that the Jews now begin their year on the first day of Tisri (in September), which stands the first month of the civil year.
The months of Tammuz and Ab are not mentioned in scripture. The names in italics are used by Josephus and others. See SEASONS and YEAR.
Civil Year Sacred Year
7 1 Abib or Nisan. 30 days.
8 2 Zif or Iyar.29 days.
9 8 Sivan. 30 days.
10 4 Tammuz. 29 days.
11 6 Ab. 30 days.
12 6 Elul. 29 days.
1 7 Ethanim or Tisri.30 days.
2 8 Bul or Marchesvas.29 days.
3 9 Chisleu. 30 days.
4 10 Tebeth. 29 days.
5 11 Sebat. 30 days.
6 12 Adar. 29 days.
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CIVIL YEAR
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SACRED YEAR
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SIGNIFICATION
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REFERENCE
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CORRESPONDING MONTH.
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7
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1. Nisan or Abib
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Green ears.
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Ex. 13:4
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Part of March and April
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8
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2. Zif
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Blossom.
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1 Kings 6:1,37
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Part of April and May
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9
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3. Sivan
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Bush or Thorn.
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Esther 8:9
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Part of May and June
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10
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4. Tammuz
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Concealed.
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(Not named.)
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Part of June and July
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11
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5. Ab
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Father. (?)
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(Not named.)
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Part of July and August
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12
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6. Elul
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Glean or cut off.
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Neh. 6:15
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Part of August and September
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1
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7. Tisri or Ethanim
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Month of Streaming Rivers.
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1 Kings 8:2
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Part of September and October
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2
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8. Bul
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Rain.
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1 Kings 6:38
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Part of October and November
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3
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9. Chisleu
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(Doubtful.)
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Zech. 7:1
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Part of November & December
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4
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10. Tebeth
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Winter.
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Esther 2:16
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Part of December and January
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5
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11. Sebat
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Shoot.
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Zech. 1:7
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Part of January and February
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6
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12. Adar
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Large.
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Ezra 6:15
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Part of February and March
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NIGHT
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DAY
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First Watch, Evening, 6-9 p.m.
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Third Hour 6-9 a.m.
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Second Watch, Midnight, 9-12 p.m.
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Sixth Hour 9-12 noon.
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Third Watch, Cockcrow, 12-3 a.m.
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Ninth Hour 12-3 p.m.
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Fourth Watch, Morning, 3-6 a.m.
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Twelfth Hour 3-6 p.m.
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Bible Handbook:
There is at first sight an apparent confusion in the computation of Jewish time, and in the arrangement of their months, but a little consideration of the subject will show that there is no real difficulty. The year was to commence from the beginning of harvest, but if at the end of the year, a late harvest was anticipated, then an extra month was added, called Vedar, so as to secure the year commencing with the month Abib, meaning ‘ears of corn.’ By this arrangement, the wave sheaf could always be waved before the Lord in the same month, and a fixed time for beginning the year adhered to.
It will be observed that, consequent on the deliverance from Egyptian bondage and judgment, the months were changed. The seventh month of the old or civil year (Tisri or Ethanim), was thenceforth regarded as the first month, thus recommencing their history on the ground of redemption (Ex. 12). The Hebrews more generally spoke of their months, as first month, second month, third month, etc.; very few of them are named before the captivity. The corresponding English months must not be regarded as absolutely correct; a close approximation is all that can be given.
Arrangement of the Jewish Months
In several instances, the meanings of the months are strikingly appropriate, as: Elul, ‘Glean or cut off’ the late grapes; Tebeth, ‘Winter,’ the coldest season of the year; Bul, ‘Rain,’ the time when heavy rains fall; Nisan, ‘Green ears,’ commencement of harvest, etc.
Night and Day
In the Eastern world the evening and the morning constituted the day (Gen. 1). This borne in mind will afford a clue to the solution of many chronological difficulties.
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