Dictionary of Bible Themes – 7400 New Year, the
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7400 New Year, the

7400 New Year, the

With the exception of one reference (Ex 12:2) the New Year is never specifically dated. The religious calendar apparently began in the spring and the agricultural calendar in the autumn. Later Judaism began its calendar in the autumn.

Evidence that the autumn was regarded as the New Year

The dedication of Solomon’s temple 1Ki 8:2 Solomon waited 11 months after the completion of the temple (see 1Ki 6:38), before dedicating it, most likely because the great Feast of Tabernacles marked the beginning of the year.

Instructions for celebrating the Year of Jubilee Lev 25:8-9 The Year of Jubilee was to be proclaimed on the tenth day of the seventh month, which was also the Day of Atonement. See also Lev 16:29

Ezekiel’s vision of the new temple Eze 40:1 This vision of the new temple takes place at the beginning of the year. The “tenth of the month” refers presumably to the seventh month.

Jeroboam’s institution of an autumnal festival 1Ki 12:32 This autumn festival was clearly intended to be equivalent not only to the feast in Judah, but also to other pagan New Year festivals, in spite of the eighth month being distinctive. See also 1Ki 12:33

Evidence that the spring was regarded as the New Year

The institution of the Passover Ex 12:2 This clearly links the spring Feast of Passover to the New Year. See also Lev 23:5; Nu 9:2

Ezekiel’s vision of the worship of the new temple Eze 45:18-19 This purification of Ezekiel’s (ideal) temple resembles the Day of Atonement but takes place in the spring. See also Eze 45:21

Occasions associating the New Year with the autumn

The sounding of trumpets Nu 29:1 See also Lev 23:24

The Day of Atonement Lev 23:27

The Feast of Tabernacles Dt 16:13 See also Lev 23:34

Occasions associating the New Year with the spring

Passover Lev 23:5 See also Ex 12:11

The Feast of Unleavened bread Lev 23:6 See also Ex 12:17

The Feast of Firstfruits Lev 23:10-11 This is also known as the Feast of Weeks (Ex 23:16; Lev 23:9-21).

See also

4251moon
4951month
4978year
7308Atonement, Day of
7357Feast of Firstfruits
7358Feast of Tabernacles
7360Feast of Unleavened Bread
7406Passover

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