BIBLICAL CALENDAR

We have already mentioned the names of the seven feasts of redemption and the seasons in which they are celebrated, but we still need to mention the exact dates in which God decided they would be celebrated (Leviticus 23).

BIBLICAL CALENDAR

The biblical feasts do not follow the Roman calendar, but the biblical calendar.

Something that distinguishes the biblical calendar from all other calendars is that it is based on the lunar cycles. The beginning of the month is determined by the new moon. The first day of the month is when the moon appears again after being out of sight. The full moon marks the middle of the month.

The biblical calendar also has twelve months, but an extra month is added periodically to adjust it to the solar year and to the seasons.

The bible recognizes the months by number according to their order in the calendar. Sometimes, the names that were assigned later on are also mentioned.

We have to note that the Bible makes a difference between two calendars.

a.   Civil calendar. Its beginning is marked by the date in which man was created. The New Year, according to this calendar, is celebrated in Rosh Hashanah, the day which celebrates the creation of man. This is the calendar that applies in the Bible from Genesis 1 to Exodus 11.

b.  Religious calendar. Beginning in Exodus 12 God changes the calendar. The months keep their previous names, but their order is changed.

(Exodus 12:1-2) The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, (2) “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.

The month that this verse refers to is known as the month of Nissan, the month in which Passover is celebrated. It used to be the 7^th month, but after Exodus 12 it is considered to be the first month of the biblical year.

What happened during the Passover was so significant that it changed the history of God’s people. This would be a new beginning for humanity; therefore it deserved to be designated as the beginning of the year.

This is the order of both calendars:

Civil (Gen. 1 – Ex. 11)

1.      Tishrei

2.      Cheshvan

3.      Kislev

4.      Tevet

5.      Shevat

6.      Adar

7.      Nissan

8.      Iyyar

9.      Sivan

10.  Tammuz

11.  Av

12.  Elul

Religious (Exodus 12 – today)

1.      Nissan (or Aviv)

2.      Iyyar

3.      Sivan

4.      Tammuz

5.      Av

6.      Elul

7.      Tishrei

8.      Cheshvan

9.      Kislev

10.  Tevet

11.  Shevat

12.  Adar

Why is it relevant to follow the biblical calendar in these modern times?

The simple reason is that this is God’s calendar. This is the calendar used in the divine “agenda”. Besides, it is the one used in the Bible. To understand God’s times we must be connected to His calendar.

As we progress in the study of the feasts, the importance of knowing and being connected to the biblical calendar and to God’s schedule is made more evident.

DATES FOR THE FEASTS

After giving an introductory explanation of the biblical calendar, we can now point out the biblical dates for the feasts of redemption:

Passover                                           Nissan 14^th (1^st month)

Feast of Unleavened Bread            Nissan 15^th – 21^st

First Fruits                                         The Sunday during the week of Passover

Weeks                                                50 days after First Fruits

Trumpets                                           Tishrei 1^st (7^th month)

Day of Atonement                            Tishrei 10^th

Feast of Booths                                Tishrei 15^th – 21^st