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
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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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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
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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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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.