Have you ever wondered why the calendar in your Bible looks different from the one on your wall?
The people of the Bible measured time differently than we do today. Days began at sunset, months followed the moon, and years were marked by important events rather than numbered like our modern calendars.
Understanding the biblical calendar can help you better understand Bible events, feasts, and seasons. Let's take a closer look at how time was measured in Scripture.
How Were Days Measured in the Bible?
The Bible first defines a day in Genesis 1. During Creation, God established a pattern of "evening and morning," showing that a biblical day began at sunset and continued until the following sunset.
Unlike our modern calendar, which starts a new day at midnight, the biblical day began in the evening.
Did You Know?
The only day of the week given a specific name in the Bible is the Sabbath.
The other days were counted in relation to the Sabbath:
- First Day after the Sabbath = Sunday
- Second Day after the Sabbath = Monday
- Third Day after the Sabbath = Tuesday
- Fourth Day after the Sabbath = Wednesday
- Fifth Day after the Sabbath = Thursday
- Sixth Day after the Sabbath = Friday
- Sabbath = Saturday
God blessed the Sabbath and set it apart as a special day of rest (Genesis 2:3).
How Were Weeks Measured in the Bible?
The seven-day week began at Creation.
God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day. This pattern became the weekly rhythm for His people.
Exodus 20:11 reminds us of this schedule:
- Six days for work
- One day for rest
The seven-day week established in Genesis is still used throughout the world today.
How Were Months Measured in the Bible?
Biblical months were based on the lunar cycle.
Each new month began with the appearance of the new moon, making biblical months either 29 or 30 days long.
Unlike our calendar, where every month has a name, most months in the Bible were simply numbered.
Did You Know?
Very few month names appear in the Bible. Most references simply say "the first month," "the third month," or "the seventh month."
When God brought Israel out of Egypt, He instructed them to begin their year in the spring:
"This month shall be unto you the beginning of months." (Exodus 12:2)
This first month later became known as Nisan.
Why Does the Biblical Calendar Have a Leap Month?
A lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a solar year.
Without adjustments, the biblical feasts would slowly drift into different seasons. To keep the calendar aligned so that spring feasts remained in the spring months, an extra month is added seven times during a nineteen-year cycle.
During leap years:
- Adar becomes Adar I
- A second month, Adar II, is added
This keeps Passover in the spring, just as God intended.
Biblical Month Names
The month names commonly used today were adopted during or after the Babylonian captivity.
The twelve biblical months are:
- Nisan (Abib)
- Iyar
- Sivan
- Tammuz
- Av
- Elul
- Tishrei
- Cheshvan
- Kislev
- Tevet
- Shevat
- Adar
How Were Years Measured in the Bible?
Unlike today, years were not numbered.
Instead, biblical writers often recorded time by:
- A person's age
- The reign of a king
- A significant historical event
For example, Genesis 21:5 tells us Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.
You will also see events dated according to the reigns of kings such as David, Solomon, Hezekiah, and Josiah.
Two Biblical New Years
The biblical calendar includes two starting points:
Religious Year
- Begins with Nisan in the spring
- Used for feasts and worship
Civil Year
- Begins with Tishrei in the fall
- Used for agricultural and civil purposes
Why Understanding the Biblical Calendar Matters
The biblical calendar helps us better understand the timing of important events such as:
- Passover
- Pentecost
- Feast of Trumpets
- Day of Atonement
- Feast of Tabernacles
Knowing when these events occurred provides valuable context as you study Scripture.
The next time you come across a reference to a month, feast, or special day in the Bible, take a moment to discover where it falls on the biblical calendar. You may be surprised how much it adds to your understanding of God's Word.
Want to Learn More?
Our Biblical Calendar Notes make it easy to compare today's calendar with the biblical calendar. You'll discover biblical months, feast days, historical events, and fascinating facts that bring Bible study to life.
