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It has been taught that 'New Moons' were days which were celebrated
at the start of each month.
Is this correct?
There has also been a common belief that months in God's ordained
calendar were in harmony with the cycles of the moon.
Is this correct?
LUNAR MONTHS ?
The moon rotates around the earth on a cycle of about 29.5 days. This
means that calendars based on the lunar pattern would have months of
varying length. (The length of months would, in general, rotate between
durations of 29 days and 30 days.)
For this reason, if the lunar teaching was correct, one would expect
to see in Scripture a few examples of such a pattern. However, such
examples are not present.
What Scripture does provide is indications that each month was 30 days
in length.
- The chronology of the Flood appears to depict 30 day
months. (Refer to the page on this topic.)
- The biblical account of the departure from Egypt to the
declaring of the Mt Sinai commandments can be viewed in
such a way to show the first and second months of God's
calendar for that year were composed of 30 days each.
(The crossing of the Red Sea occurring on the latter
portion of the 17th day of the first month (first of
fifty days) and the giving of the ten commandments on
the 6th day of the third month (the fiftieth day of
fifty days).
- Prophetic texts in the book of Revelation suggest 3.5
times(years) would equate to 42 months or 1260 days.
- In the book of Daniel the 'seven times' of Dan 4:16
has been explained as shadowing a greater prophetic
period of 2,520 years, that is 7 years of 360 days
per year.
So with this in mind, let us consider just what is being described by
the term 'New Moon'.
NEW MOON - 'CHODESH'
The Hebrew word 'chodesh', which is Strong's reference 2320, carries
the meanings:
- 'month' : The most common translation of the word 'chodesh'
is simply as 'month'.
- 'New Moon' : Translators noticing that Scripture uses the
word 'chodesh' in a second religious context
have chosen in these cases to simply render
the Hebrew word as 'New Moon'.
The notion 'New Moon' has generally been viewed at a literal level.
Nevertheless, there is reason to believe this term is being applied
figuratively to reflect new phrases in the plan of God.
It is worth noting that the symbol of the 'moon' is also used in a
symbolic manner in Scripture (refer, Gen 37:9-10, Psalm 121:6, 148:3
and Rev 12:1). The moon is often thought to represent the feminine
aspect of the church; due to the fact that the moon does not generate
it's own light but rather reflects the light of the sun (which is a
symbol for Christ).
THE NEW MOON - A SABBATH
There are a number of New Moon verses, but two of the most interesting
are;
Amos 8:4 Hear this, you who swallow up the needy, And
make the poor of the land fail,
:5 Saying: "When will the New Moon be past, that
we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we
may trade wheat? Making the ephah small and
the shekel large, falsifying the scales by
deceit,
2King 4:23 So he said, "Why are you going to him today?
It is neither New Moon nor Sabbath."
And she said, "It is well".
These verses are defining the New Moon days, as being days of commanded
rest and religious assembly.
The question this raises is;
'Why are these New Moon assembly observances not mentioned
in the listing of holy assemblies found in the 23rd chapter
of Leviticus?'
[ NB: Leviticus chapter 23 mentions the weekly sabbath,
the 14th Passover, the annual rest days (sabbaths)
and the three feasts. Defining all these as being
'the' appointments and holy assemblies of the LORD,
refer Lev 23:2,4,44. No separate 'new moon'
celebration is mentioned! ]
The cloud of doubt over what is meant by the term 'New Moon' is further
developed by the following verses.
Ezek 46:1 Thus says the Lord GOD: "The gateway of the
inner court that faces toward the east shall
be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath
it shall be opened, and on the day of the New Moon
it shall be opened.
:3 Likewise the people of the land shall worship at
the entrance to this gateway before the LORD
on Sabbaths and New Moons.
Notice here that the Sabbath(s) and the New Moons were the only days
when the east gate of the inner court was opened. That these were 'the'
times when the people worshipped.
These terms, 'Sabbaths' and 'New Moons', therefore have to include the
annual commanded rest days!. The seven annual rest days were also times
of commanded assembly and worship at the temple!
(Refer Leviticus 23:6-7,8,16+21,24-25,27+32,34-35,36.)
[ NB: The seven annual assemblies were;
- first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (15th, 1st month)
- last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (21st, 1st month)
- Feast of Weeks (variable date 4-10th, 3rd month)
- Day of Trumpets (1st, 7th month)
- Day of Atonement (10th, 7th month)
- first day of Feast of Tabernacles (15th, 7th month)
- Eighth Day (22nd, 7th month). ]
A NEW MOON EXAMPLE
A New Moon illustration is provided by the narrative of David hiding
from Saul in the field.
1Sam 20:5 And David said to Jonathan, "Indeed tomorrow is
the New Moon, and I should not fail to sit with
the king to eat. But let me go, that I may hide
in the field until the third day at evening.
:18 Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the
New Moon; and you will be missed, because your
seat will be empty.
:24 Then David hid in the field. And when the New Moon
had come, the king sat down to eat the feast.
:25 Now the king sat on his seat, as at other times,
on a seat by the wall. And Jonathan arose, and
Abner sat by Saul's side, but David's place was
empty.
:26 Nevertheless Saul did not say anything that day,
for he thought, "Something has happened to him;
he is unclean, surely he is unclean."
:27 And it happened the next day, the second day of
the month[New Moon], that David's place was empty.
And Saul said to Jonathan his son, "Why has the
son of Jesse not come to eat, either yesterday
or today?"
:34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger,
and ate no food the second day of the month, for
he was grieved for David, because his father had
treated him shamefully.
:35 And so it was, in the morning, that Jonathan went
out into the field at the time appointed with
David, ...
NB: In verse 27 the Hebrew word for 'month' is once
again 'chodesh' and so can also be translated
'New Moon'.
In this account we see David hiding in the field, suggesting a time
prior to the start of the grain harvest. We also observe that there
was a temple ceremony which spanned at least two consecutive days;
a ceremony which the king and his associates were expected to attend.
In this account we have David and Jonathan talking on the day before
the New Moon, then a New Moon day, followed by the second day of the
New Moon and then what is described as a third day when Jonathan signals
David. Therefore we have two complete intervening feast days when David
was hidden and did not communicate with Jonathan. (This mirrors the
pattern of Christ being in the grave two complete days, being hidden
from the apostles for two days. Both events occurred at the same time
of the year.)
These points suggest the two days represented the first and second days
of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, observed on the 15th and 16th of the
first month! The 15th of the first month was an annual sabbath day,
refer Lev 23:34-35.
[ NB: In verse 27 above there is a reference to 'the second day
of the New Moon'. The second day, which would have been the
16th, was a feast day, but not an annual commanded day of rest.
This text indicates that days following a New Moon day,
particularly feast days, should be associated with the prior
New Moon. ]
This example when considered along with the previously raised issues
suggests the term 'New Moon' refers, not to the first day of the month,
but to some or all of the annual commanded religious assemblies.
Indicating the Hebrew word 'chodesh' is not being applied literally,
but figuratively to the new phrases of the symbolic moon (the church).
SABBATHS, NEW MOONS, FEASTS
The term 'New Moons' is commonly encountered in connection with the
notions of 'Sabbaths' and 'set feasts'.
1Chr 23:31 and at every presentation of a burnt offering to
the LORD on the Sabbaths and on the New Moons and
on the set feasts, by number according to the
ordinance governing them, regularly before the
LORD;
2Chr 8:13 according to the daily rate, offering according
to the commandment of Moses, for the Sabbaths,
the New Moons, and the three appointed yearly
feasts; the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast
of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
( Also refer to 2Chr 2:4,31:3, Ezra 3:5, Neh 10:33, Isa 1:13-14,
Ezek 45:17, Hosea 2:11 & Col 2:16. )
In the Hosea 2:11 verse these three groups are stated to be all the
appointments.
Hos 2:11 I will also cause all her mirth to cease, Her
feast days{2282}, Her New Moons{2320}, Her
Sabbaths{7676}; All her appointed feasts{4150}
[appointments].
To fully understand the meaning of such verses one has to consider
exactly what is being referred to by each term.
'FEASTS'
In the 'Sabbaths, New Moons, Feasts' texts the Hebrew words translated
'feast' are Strong's 2282 and Strong's 4150.
2282 - Ezek 45:17, Hosea 2:11
4150 - 1Chr 23:31, 2Chr 2:4,8:13,31:3, Ezra 3:5, Neh 10:33, Isa 1:14
2282 - 'chag'
The word 'chag', when used in relation to God's designated appointed
observances, is only ever applied to one of the following;
- the feast of Passover (14th or 14-20th, 1st month)
- the Feast of Unleavened Bread (15-21st, 1st month)
- the Feast of Weeks (variable date 4-10th, 3rd month)
- the Feast of Tabernacles (15-21st, 7th month).
4150
Apart from being translated 'feast(s)' or 'set feasts' it is also
commonly rendered 'appointed' or 'meeting'.
In some verses such as Lev 23:2 and Num 28:2 the word is used widely.
Nevertheless, in the context of 'Sabbaths, New Moons, Feasts' the word
relates to the three annual feasts;
- the Feast of Unleavened Bread
- the Feast of Weeks
- the Feast of Tabernacles
As shown by the following verse;
2Chr 8:13 according to the daily rate, offering according
to the commandment of Moses, for the Sabbaths,
the New Moons, and the three appointed yearly
feasts; the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
the Feast of Weeks, and
the Feast of Tabernacles.
'SABBATHS'
The plural form of Sabbath is encountered in the 'Sabbaths, New Moons,
Feasts' verses. (Isa 1:13 being the exception, although commonly rendered
in English as plural.)
The question arises as to whether the plural form is representing
multiple weekly Sabbaths or multiple forms of sabbath.
Many people realize there are several forms of sabbath;
- weekly
- Day of Atonement (Lev 16:31, 23:32)
- other annual rest days
- land
So a plural use of the word sabbath may refer to several, or all of,
these different forms. However, considering the 'day' context of these
'Sabbaths, New Moons and Feasts' verses the land sabbath being a year
in duration would have to be excluded.
Those who have taught the common New Moon perspective have tended to
consider 'Sabbaths', in the 'Sabbaths, New Moons, Feasts' context,
as being a reference to both weekly and annual sabbaths. This of course
would be a necessary requirement of the common New Moon view, otherwise
the absence of any mention of the annual sabbaths would raise questions.
After consideration of the 'Sabbaths, New Moons and Feasts' verses it
seems these terms are to be understood as follows;
- 'Sabbaths' - full sabbaths,
ie, the weekly Sabbath and the Day of Atonement,
- 'New Moons' - lesser sabbaths,
ie, the six commanded rest days
- 'Feasts' - the three annual feasts.
[ NB: 1) The 'full sabbaths' required that no
manner of work be done, refer Exod
35:2,3 and Lev 23:31.
2) The 'lesser sabbaths' required only
that no customary work be done,
refer Lev 23:7,8,21,23,35,36. Food
preparation was allowed, Exod 12:16. ]
NUMBERS 10:10
The Numbers 10:10 verse is similar to the above 'Sabbaths, New Moons,
Feasts' verses, but uses a slightly different form of expression.
Num 10:10 Also in the day of your gladness, in your
appointed feasts, and at the beginning of
your months [or beginning of your New Moons],
you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt
offerings and over the sacrifices of your
peace offerings; ...
In this verse;
- 'day of your gladness' appears to refer to
the Passover of the 14th.
- 'appointed feasts' to the three annual feasts
- 'beginning of your New Moons' to the commanded
rest days. (NB: Not all the rest days fell on
feast days.)
OTHER NEW MOON VERSES
PSALMS 81:1
Psalm 81:1 Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful
shout to the God of Jacob.
:2 Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant
harp with the lute.
:3 Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon,
At the full moon, on our solemn feast day.
:4 For this is a statute for Israel, A law of the
God of Jacob.
:5 This He established in Joseph as a testimony, When
He went throughout the land of Egypt, Where I heard
a language I did not understand.
:6 "I removed his shoulder from the burden; His hands
were freed from the baskets.
:7 You called in trouble, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah." Selah
[ NB: The rendering of the Hebrew 'chag' in
verse 3 as 'solemn feast' is obviously
inappropriate, given the context of
joyful songs and music. ]
The above Psalms text introduces another thought 'at the full moon'.
This has caused concern for those who take literally the notions of
'New Moon' and 'full moon'. Since both these thoughts are clearly
being presented alongside each other and in the context of 'a law'
and 'a testimony'
The context appears to referring to the exodus of the children of
Israel from Egypt. This is an event which occurred in the middle of
the month.
The 'full moon' comment may give rise to the view, that the bible's
term 'New Moon' in this verse is indeed referring to the first annual
sabbath of the 15th of the first month. Nevertheless, some may then
go on to say that this proves that at least this first month of the
year, must have been initiated by a literal new moon. (A literal
'new moon' on the 1st of the month and a full moon by the 15th.)
However, as the notion New Moon is being used in a figurative sense,
it is likely that the notion 'full moon' is also figurative. That
is to say, it is merely reflecting that the 15th of the first month
was the time of the year when the children of Israel would gather
together at the place where God chose to place His name (as required
under God's Law).
ISAIAH 66:23
Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass that from one
New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath
to another, All flesh shall come to worship
before Me," says the LORD.
In the Old Covenant the lay people annually journeyed to where God had
placed His name to attend the Passover feast.
1Sam 1:3 This man {father of Samuel} went up from his
city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the
LORD of hosts in Shiloh.
Luke 2:41 His parents {Joseph and Mary} went to Jerusalem
every year at the Feast of the Passover.
It seems therefore that the above Isaiah 66:23 verse, which talks about
'all flesh shall come', is referring to the Feast of Unleavened Bread
(refer Lev 23:6-8), which was a seven day feast occurring at the time
of Passover.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is delimited by two annual sabbaths,
observed on the 15th and 21st of the first month. These appear to be
the days referred to in Isa 66:23.
HOSEA 5:7
The following 'New Moon' verse embodies a prophetic teaching.
Hos 5:7 They have dealt treacherously with the LORD,
For they have begotten pagan children. Now a
New Moon shall devour them and their heritage.
The text is directed toward the 'house of Israel' and Judah, refer
to the prior verses 5:1,3,5 and the following verses 5:9-14.
Verse 5:8 mentions the blowing of the ram's horn, something associated
with the Day of Atonement and jubilee (ie the notion of release from
bondage), refer Lev 25:9. The end-time release from bondage corresponds
to the seventh month seven day period of the Feast of Tabernacles.
The theme of the Hosea text is the anger of God upon His rebellious
people, a theme reflected in the period known as the 'day of the Lord'.
(Refer Ezekiel 13:3-5.) After this period God will again have mercy
on His people (Hos 5:15) and raise them up again (Hos 6:2). The raising
of God's people is a theme associated with the last annual assembly day,
ie the 'last day' (refer John 6:39-40,44,54). The annual assembly day
which precedes the 'last day' is the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles.
It seems that the specific New Moon day referred to in this verse is the
first day of the Feast of Tabernacles.
NUMBERS CHAPTERS 28 & 29
The verses that have largely been responsible for causing people to
believe that there was a command to observe the appearance of the
moon are;
Num 28:11 At the beginnings of your months you shall
present a burnt offering to the LORD: ...
:14 Their drink offering shall be half a hin of wine
for a bull, one-third of a hin for a ram, and
one-fourth of a hin for a lamb; this is the
burnt offering for each month throughout the
months of the year.
What was not apparent to many readers was that these verses could also
be rendered;
Num 28:11 At the beginnings of your NEW MOONS you shall
present a burnt offering to the LORD: ...
:14 Their drink offering shall be half a hin of wine
for a bull, one-third of a hin for a ram, and
one-fourth of a hin for a lamb; this is the
burnt offering for each NEW MOON throughout the
NEW MOONS of the year.
In the verse Num 28:11 the idea 'beginnings of' appears to simply be
stating that the offerings were to made along with the other morning
offerings.
The Numbers 28:11,14 texts do not stand completely on their own. In
the subsequent discussion the New Moon is again mentioned.
Num 29:1 And in the seventh month, on the first day of
the month, you shall have a holy convocation.
You shall do no customary work. For you it is
a day of blowing the trumpets.
:2 You shall offer a burnt offering as a sweet
aroma to the LORD: one young bull, one ram,
and seven lambs in their first year, without
blemish.
:6 besides the burnt offering with its grain
offering for the New Moon, the regular burnt
offering with its grain offering, and their
drink offerings, according to their ordinance,
as a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to
the LORD.
This very clearly shows that the Day of Trumpets was a New Moon.
It also describes this day as the first day of a month. Hence on
the surface giving credibility to the common lunar cycle belief.
(Many biblical teachers in the past have failed to give adequate
consideration to the fact that this day was also one of the annual
commanded assemblies.)
Since in the text of Numbers chapter 28 none of the other annual
assembly days happen to mention that their specified burnt offerings
were to be in addition to those required for the 'New Moon' (listed
in Numbers 28:11-15) there was the implication that the other annual
days were not New Moons.
What many have not considered is that the burnt offerings specified
for the days of Unleavened Bread and the following Feast of Weeks are
identical to that of the New Moon offering. Two young bulls, one ram
and seven lambs; along with their specified grain and drink offerings.
It is only once the offering of the Day of Trumpets is encountered
that there is a variance from the offering specified for the New Moon.
This is actually the reason why the burnt offering for the Day of
Trumpets is clearly described as being in addition to the New Moon
offering.
GENESIS 1:14
The following verse is often quoted as supportive proof of a lunar based
calendar.
Gen 1:14 Then God said, "Let there be lights in the
firmament of the heavens to divide the day
from the night; and let them be for signs
and seasons, and for days and years;"
However, the word for 'seasons' in this verse is Strong's Ref 4150, a
word which is commonly rendered 'meeting', 'feasts' or 'appointed time'.
So rather than suggesting a true 'season' of the year, allusion is being
made to the annual commanded observances.
Therefore, lights in the firmament were for 'signs and appointed times',
and for days and years'.
(The rendering of the Hebrew word as 'seasons' is misleading.)
[ NB: Note the idea 'appointed times', referring to holy days
and assemblies, corresponds well with the idea 'signs'.
Both of these alluding to the more significant prophetic
message. ]
CONSEQUENCES OF THE NEW DEFINITION
Defining the term 'New Moons', as a reference to the annual rest days,
means that it is not possible to utilise the New Moon verses to justify
the practice of observing months based upon the lunar cycle.
It also means that at this time it is impossible to know exactly what
day should begin a Hebrew month, or the Hebrew year. A starting point
for God's 30 day cycle being no longer known.
So while some (ie, Jews and a few Christian groups) have desired to
observe all (or some) of these annual holy appointments, it would be
impossible to ascertain the proper timing.
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