Many Christians who have embraced the Hebraic roots of their faith look forward each new moon. What, if anything, do new moons have to do with our faith?
Not unique to those in the Hebraic roots and Messianic faiths, the new moon has significance in many cultures. In Hebrew, the new moon is called the Rosh Chodesh, meaning “head of the month”, indicating that the new moon starts a new month on the Hebrew or Biblical calendar.
The Science
Wondering exactly what a new moon is? It’s a thin sliver of moon that appears opposite the full moon in a lunar cycle. New moons can be predicted on the calendar, however, they can be seen within two days of that predicted date.
A new moon occurs when the moon is between the earth and the sun. It appears dark, as if there is no moon in the sky and the sliver of moon can be viewed briefly just after sundown.
Where are New Moons Found in the Bible?
You may be suprised (I was!) at the amount of times new moons are mentioned throughout the Bible. They’re referred to as new moons but also as “the first day of the month”.
In Biblical times, the Hebrew people watched for the new moon and notified those at the Temple when it was sighted. There had to be multiple witnesses to make sure it was really seen, as it was very important to mark the beginning of the month correctly.
It’s Biblical that the moon dictates God’s calendar. He even tells us at the very beginning of creation that that was why He created it:
Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years
Genesis 1:14
The two important things to note in the above verse is that the word translated here as “seasons” is the Hebrew word “moedim”, which means “appointed times”, such as the Feasts and Festivals. The other important thing is that we notice here that watching the “lights in the expanse of the heavens” reveals God’s calendar to us!
And God’s people aren’t to use the new moons in this way only in Old Testament times. We see that Believers in the New Testament continued to observe the new moons even after Jesus’s ascent into heaven (Col. 2:16) and we’ll even use them in the future in the New Jerusalem (Is. 66:23-24 & Ez. 46:1-7)!
The Bible shows us that some significant things occurred on the first day of the month and it clearly points out that these things occurred on the first day, versus just any day of the month. Here are some of the places where Rosh Chodesh, the new moon, appears in the Bible:
- It was the day the mountaintops became visible after the flood, as well as the day the water was completely dried up (Genesis 8:5 & 13).
- It’s when the Tabernacle was to be set up (Ex. 40:1-2).
- The holiday of Yom Teruah is to be on the new moon of the 7th month (Lev. 23:24).
- It’s one of the times God talked with Moses (Num. 1:1).
- Aaron, priest and Moses’s brother, died (Num 33:38).
- David was expected to attend a meal with King Saul but didn’t show up (1 Sam. 20).
- The Shunammite woman headed to visit Elisha, even though it wasn’t a new moon when she would have been expected to go (2 Kings 4:23).
- Ezra started reading the Torah to Israel in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:6-10).
- God’s word came to 2 prophets – Ezekiel (Ez 26:1) and Haggai (Hag. 1:1).
How is it Relevant to Our Faith?
Aside from new moons being mentioned in the Bible and coinciding with Biblical events, how are new moons relevant to our faith as Bible-believing Christians?
To alert us to God’s eternal calendar
Important Biblical events tend to occur according to the calendar God set up. In Leviticus 23, He laid out the Biblical Holy Days, including Passover and Shavuot. When Jesus died on Passover, it taught us that there are similarities between Jesus and the Passover Lamb. On the day the Apostles were celebrating God giving the Law on Shavuot, the Holy Spirit was given to them which caused them to understand the Law was now being written on their hearts.
Biblical events lining up with the calendar God set up is one of the most amazing things I’ve found in the Bible! I encourage you to look for more of these coinciding events. There are many!
To know the proper times to observe the Biblical Holy Days
When we pay attention to the new moons, we know when each month on the Hebrew calendar begins. In Leviticus 23, we’re given the month and day each Holy Day is to be observed. The new moon tells us which day is the first and we can count from there to know when to observe a Holy Day.
The Biblical Holy Days are of great significance to our Christian faith! Here’s an overview of each Holy Day and here’s the relevance of each to our Messiah. If you haven’t yet observed them as a tradition, give it a try! I think you’ll be blessed by it!
How Does a Christian Observe the New Moons?
With no Temple at which to offer sacrifices, it’s not Biblically clear how to observe the new moons. However, regardless of how it was done, it is clear in the Bible that God wants His people to notice when it’s the first day of the month.
We can look to the Bible for some direction on what to do on each new moon though. We can find out what was done on new moons in the Bible and see what of that we can practice in our day and age to learn and observe what God intended us to. Of course, it’s always helpful to spend some time in the Word as we’re trying to understand any Biblical concept. Here are some references to the new moons and what was done at that time.
- Blow shofars (Num. 10:10).
- Present an offering at the Temple (Num. 10:10; 28:11, 14; Ezra 3:5; Neh. 10:32-33).
- Have a celebratory meal (David was expected at a meal with the king, 1 Sam. 20:5-27).
- Worship (Is. 66:23).
- Celebrate. New moons are grouped with other celebratory festivals (Hosea 2:11).
- Grain wasn’t sold on the new moon (possibly indicating that it’s a Sabbath. Amos 8:5).
Given these Biblical activities done on new moons, what should we do? Here are some things Hebraic Roots Christians do during these times:
- Blow shofars
- Dance
- Plan, discuss, and study the Holy Days of that month
- Women gather
- Pray
How do you know when the new moons are?
First of all, watch the sky! Also, I love the calendar by First Fruits of Zion for new moons, as well as other appointed times. It also has beautiful pictures of the Land of Israel and verses for each month. Get your First Fruits of Zion Biblical Calendar here!
I just found your website! Thank you for all your work and love that you have put into this site. It really shows. I am doing a New Moon research to teach our children at our congregation. Your site has been a blessing and inspiration. May Yahweh bless you greatly for all that you share and inspire in others.
In Messiah’s love,
Barbara