BIBLICAL ASTRONOMY AND THE HEBREW/BIBLICAL CALENDAR

The Hebrew/Biblical Calendar consists of four interrelated distinct functions. Why should we care? With an understanding of the functions of the Hebrew/Biblical Calendar we are able to unlock many Biblical mysteries. With this knowledge we can determine the true time of Yeshua’s birth and crucifixion. It will also unlock many end time mysteries and the meaning of the Biblical numbering system contained throughout scripture.

1. Prophetic – This is YHVH’s encoded calendar of the deepest mysteries of time and space. It suggests the possible range and season of Messiah’s return. Much is being revealed in our present day.

2. Solar Pre-Metonic – This was the way the solar and lunar years were inter-calculated from before Moses time when the moon was not required to synch the Feasts of the Lord which had not been given yet. This calendar ran from Tishri to Tishri (the seventh Hebrew month-autumn to autumn) and was used by Adam, Noah, and Abraham, among others.

3. Equinox Pre-Metonic/Moedic – This is the calendar which is used for timing the spring and fall festivals of YHVH for Israel. It was given to Moses in Exodus 12.1-2. It changed the beginning of the year from the month of Tishri to the spring month of Aviv. Now Aviv would be the first month (Passover) of the year and Tishri the seventh.

4. Priestly – The Priestly Calendar, like the Moedic (appointed time), is synched to the month of the first Passover, Aviv. The Moedic calendar is a lunar-solar calendar, while the Priestly is purely solar and will return to the exact solar date of the Vernal (Spring) Equinox cycle but in much longer time cycles.

The Priestly calendar is made up of “courses” of 24 family groups or divisions of priests that each take turn serving in the Tabernacle or Temple for a week. Each group serves two one week courses during a year. During the Feasts of the Lord they all work. These courses of service cover the entire Hebrew/Biblical Temple yearly service. It was instituted by King David in the book of 1 Chronicles 24.

Note: Meton was a Greek mathematician, astronomer, geometer, and engineer who lived in Athens in the 5th century BC. He is best known for calculations involving the eponymous 19-year Metonic cycle which he introduced in 432 BC into the lunisolar Attic calendar. The Metonic incorporates knowledge that 19 solar years and 235 lunar months are very nearly of the same duration. This is the mathematical method used to add a leap month into the modern Rabbinical Jewish calendar 7 times in 19 years to balance the seasons.

Each calendar type above has a guiding principle followed by applications to bring that principle about. Here is how each one works:

1. Prophetic – Beginning point: Creation of Adam. Ending point: Messiah’s return, but in theory this calendar can go on forever. Balancing Mechanism: 360 day year, 12 months of 30 days each with a 30 day leap month added as needed to ensure the seasons and feast do not shift from their appointed season. Purpose: To point to the eternal nature of YHVH and the redemption of His Son, Yeshua the Messiah.

2. Solar Pre-Metonic – Beginning point: Creation of Adam. Ending point: The time of the Exodus 12.1 just prior to the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt. Balancing Mechanism: 360 day year, 12 months: 30 days each with leap months added as needed. Purpose: To allow ancient man to keep the proper solar year for planting and harvesting of crops.

3. Equinox Pre-Metonic/Moedic – Beginning point: The start of the first month of Passover which is Aviv 1. Ending Point: Messiah’s return or some unknown time afterwards-but not prior to the end of this age. Balancing Mechanism: Signs, Seasons, Days, and Years with Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes synched to Passover and Sukkot feasts, and months starting from one New Moon to the next. The count for a week is an absolute hard count from YHVH’s first day of creation before the sun and moon were made. The year is forever expressed as 365.2422 days for man’s use and 360 for YHVH’s. Purpose: To allow us to keep the eternal Feasts of the Lord (Leviticus 23).

4. Priestly – Beginning point: The start of the first month of the first Passover. Ending Point: Unknown. Balancing Mechanism: The eternal cycles of the Constellation Clock (a separate study). Purpose: Largely unknown at this present time. Seems to assist us in reconciling some of the more difficult Biblical chronological puzzles. It’s a gift from YHVH.

For those who wish to learn more the source of this study is: Wheel of Stars by Andrew Gabriel Roth