Lexical Summary
chodesh: month, months, new moon
Original Word:חֹדֶשׁ
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:chodesh
Pronunciation:kho'-desh
Phonetic Spelling:(kho'-desh)
KJV: month(-ly), new moon
NASB:month, months, new moon, new moons, month throughout the months, month and months
Word Origin:[fromH2318 (חָדַשׁ - renew)]
1. the new moon
2. (by implication) a month
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
monthly, new moon
Fromchadash; the new moon; by implication, a month -- month(-ly), new moon.
see HEBREWchadash
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
chadashDefinitionnew moon, a month
NASB Translationmonth (204), month and months (1), month throughout the months (2), months (33), new moon (17), new moons (9).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I.
282Genesis 7:11 (
Genesis 38:24 but Sam Di) (on formation compare Lg
BN 144; on usage, names, etc., Muss-Arn
JBL 1892, 72 ff., 160 ff.) — absolute
Genesis 7:11 +; construct (rare)
Genesis 29:14 +; suffix
Numbers 28:14 2t.;
Hosea 2:13;
Jeremiah 2:24; plural
Genesis 38:24 +; construct
Exodus 12:2 2t.; suffix
Job 14:5 2t.;
Isaiah 1:14;
Numbers 28:11;
Numbers 10:10; —
new moon = day, time, of new moon, as religious festival1 Samuel 20:5,18,24,27,34 (Dr); compareHosea 5:7a new moon shall devour them, Hi St VB, but on text see We; usually ""Amos 8:5;2 Kings 4:23;Isaiah 1:13 (+ ),Isaiah 66:23,Ezekiel 46:1,6 (both ),1 Chronicles 23:31; 2Chron 2:3; 2 Chronicles 8:13; 31:3;Nehemiah 10:34 (all + ),Hosea 2:13;Ezekiel 45:17 (both + , ); "" aloneIsaiah 1:14;Ezekiel 3:5; ""Psalm 81:4; (compareNumbers 10:10;Numbers 28:11; on religious observance of new moon compare DiLv p. 578 f BenzArchäol. § 69); as time of augury in Babylon (astrological prognostication)Isaiah 47:13.
month (as beginning with new moon, lunar month; compare BenzArchäol. § 30, but then, without reference to day of beginning);
Genesis 38:24 (J),Numbers 11:20,21 (JE),Numbers 9:22 (P),Judges 11:37,38,39;Judges 20:47;1 Samuel 6:1;1 Samuel 27:7;2 Samuel 2:11;2 Samuel 5:5;2 Samuel 6:11;2 Samuel 24:8,13 =1 Chronicles 21:12;Amos 4:7;1 Kings 4:7;1 Kings 5:7;1 Kings 5:28 (3 t. in verse);1 Kings 11:16;2 Kings 15:8;2 Kings 23:31;2 Kings 24:8;Ezekiel 39:12,14;1 Chronicles 3:4;1 Chronicles 13:14; 2Chronicles 36:2,9;Esther 2:12 (3 t. in verse). In1 Samuel 10:27b read probably for , and join to1 Samuel 11:1, so We Dr (compareGenesis 38:24); in combinations,a month (of)time (compareDeuteronomy 21:1;2 Kings 15:13)Genesis 29:14 (J),Numbers 11:20,26 (JE),Judges 19:2; of agenumber of his months =length of his lifeJob 14:5;Job 21:21; compare especiallyLeviticus 27:6;Numbers 3:15,22,28,34,39,40,43;Numbers 18:16;Numbers 26:22 (all P).
calendar months, (1) with namesExodus 13:4;Exodus 23:15;Exodus 34:18 (twice in verse) (all J E; = 1st monthExodus 12:2 P),Deuteronomy 16:11;1 Kings 6:1 ( = 2nd mo. ib.; =1 Kings 6:37); compare1 Kings 8:2 ( = ),1 Kings 6:38 ( = ); in the post-exilic books occur Babylonian names (see the several words): —Nehemiah 2:1;Esther 3:7 ( = 1st mo.Esther 3:7);Esther 8:9 = 3rd mo.;Zechariah 7:1;Nehemiah 1:1 ( = 9th mo.Zechariah 7:1);Esther 2:16 = 10th mo.;Zechariah 1:7 = 11th mo.;Esther 3:7,13;Esther 8:12;Esther 9:1 in all = 12th mo.,Esther 9:15,17,19,21; (compare alsoNehemiah 6:15, without or ; this was 6th mo.; see further SchrCOTNehemiah 1:1 Benzl.c.). (2) merely numbered (chiefly P and late) e.g.Genesis 7:11, compareGenesis 8:4,5,14;Leviticus 16:29;Numbers 1:1,18 (all P) + often P;Deuteronomy 1:3 (P),1 Kings 12:32;1 Kings 12:33; 1Ki 25:1; 1Ki 25:3; 1Ki 25:8; 1Ki 25:25; 1Ki 25:27;Jeremiah 1:3 11t. Jeremiah;Ezekiel 24:1;Ezekiel 32:1;Haggai 1:1,15;Zechariah 1:1;Zechariah 7:1,13;1 Chronicles 12:15, compare entire list1 Chronicles 27:2-15; 2Chronicles 3:2 12t. 2 Chronicles;Ezra 3:1 10t. Ezra;Nehemiah 7:72;Nehemiah 8:2,14;Esther 3:12; note especiallyExodus 12:2 (P), as implying that the 1st mo. was formerlynot in the spring; observe also usage of omitting , e.g. =Genesis 8:13, compareGenesis 8:5; so commonly in Ezek.: —Ezekiel 1:1;Ezekiel 8:1;Ezekiel 20:1;Ezekiel 29:1,17;Ezekiel 30:20;Ezekiel 31:1;Ezekiel 33:21;Ezekiel 45:18,21,25 +Ezekiel 26:1;Ezekiel 32:17;Ezekiel 45:20 Co; ( sometimes expressed, seeEzekiel 24:1;Ezekiel 32:1 above; on like usage with see ). (3) special phrases and usages are: —Numbers 28:14 (P; compare , andIsaiah 66:23 above
);Esther 3:7from day to day and from month to month;Jeremiah 2:24 of wild she-ass's mating time.
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Usageחֹדֶשׁ functions in Scripture both as “month” (the span between one new moon and the next) and as “new moon” (the first visible crescent initiating that month). Of the roughly 283 occurrences, the majority mark dates in narrative or legal texts; a significant minority highlight cultic celebration and prophetic hope. The term therefore anchors Israel’s historical record, worship rhythm, and eschatological expectation.
Calendar and Chronology
1. Foundational Marker. The first explicit reference fixes the Flood chronology: “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month…” (Genesis 7:11). חֹדֶשׁ structures Genesis through Esther, enabling precise historical memory.
2. Sacred Reordering. At the Exodus the Lord reorients national time: “This month is to be the first month of your year” (Exodus 12:2). The redemption event, not agricultural custom, becomes Israel’s temporal center.
3. Dual Calendar. References such as “in the seventh month, on the first day of the month” (Leviticus 23:24) show the coexistence of a sacred year (beginning in Abib/Nisan) and a civil year (beginning in Tishri), both counted by חֹדֶשׁ.
Cultic and Liturgical Observance
1. New Moon Offerings.Numbers 28:11-15 prescribes burnt offerings, grain offerings, and a sin offering “at the beginning of your months.” The new moon thus joins Sabbath and festival days as divinely appointed convocations.
2. Musical Celebration. “Blow the trumpet at the new moon” (Psalm 81:3). Sounding the shofar announces covenant fidelity and divine kingship.
3. Table Fellowship. Saul’s court held a two-day feast at the new moon (1 Samuel 20:5,18,24-27), illustrating the day’s social and royal importance.
4. Sanctuary Access. The Shunammite woman’s husband asked, “Why go to him today? It is neither the new moon nor the Sabbath” (2 Kings 4:23), confirming the custom of seeking prophetic instruction on those days.
5. Eschatological Worship. Isaiah foretells universal pilgrimage: “From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before Me” (Isaiah 66:23).Ezekiel 46 echoes this renewed order.
Civil and Agricultural Rhythms
1. Taxation and Administration. Dates attached to royal edicts (1 Kings 6:1,37-38;Ezra 7:9) guided construction, military campaigns, and legal reforms.
2. Harvest Cycle. References inDeuteronomy 16 and2 Chronicles 31 link months to barley, wheat, and fruit harvests, integrating worship with agronomy.
3. Everyday Commerce. Amos condemns merchants eager for the new moon to pass so they can resume trading (Amos 8:5), exposing the tension between piety and profit.
Prophetic and Eschatological Outlook
1. Heart over Ritual.Hosea 2:11 warns that unfaithful Israel will lose “her new moons, her Sabbaths, and all her appointed feasts,” showing that ritual without covenant loyalty invites judgment.
2. False Security.Isaiah 1:13-14 declares God’s abhorrence of corrupt new-moon assemblies. Authentic worship demands ethical obedience.
3. Final Restoration. As noted,Isaiah 66:23 andEzekiel 46:1,3 place the new moon in a future perfected order, indicating continuity of sacred time yet transformed in a redeemed cosmos.
Typological and Christological Implications
1. Cycle of Renewal. The waxing crescent symbolizes new beginnings, prefiguring regeneration in Christ: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
2. Fulfillment of Shadows. While the new moon was “a shadow of the things to come,” the substance belongs to Christ (Colossians 2:16-17). The observance pointed forward to the true light that inaugurates a new covenant era.
3. Kingdom Inclusivity. The prophetic vision of all nations worshiping at each new moon anticipatesRevelation 21:24-26, where the glory of God enlightens the new Jerusalem continually—no longer requiring lunar cycles, yet fulfilling their intent.
Pastoral and Discipleship Applications
1. Ordering Time Around Redemption. Just as Israel’s calendar began with deliverance, believers structure life around the death and resurrection of Jesus, commemorated weekly and seasonally in corporate worship.
2. Regular Self-Examination. The monthly reset encourages spiritual inventory and recommitment to covenant faithfulness (1 Corinthians 11:28 principle).
3. Joyful Assembly. The festive nature of the new moon invites Christians to cultivate rhythms of celebration, gratitude, and communal generosity.
4. Expectant Hope. Each visible new crescent reminded Israel of divine constancy; likewise, disciples live in anticipation of the “blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
Summary
חֹדֶשׁ weaves together chronology, worship, community, and prophecy. From Noah’s ark to Isaiah’s new heavens and new earth, the month-marker punctuates Scripture with recurring calls to remember redemption, honor the Creator, pursue holiness, and look ahead to ultimate restoration in Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּחָדְשָׁ֖הּ בְּחָדְשׁ֔וֹ בְּחֹ֔דֶשׁ בְּחֹ֖דֶשׁ בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ בְחֹֽדֶשׁ־ בַּחֹ֑דֶשׁ בַּחֹ֖דֶשׁ בַּחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ בַּחֹ֤דֶשׁ בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ בַּחֹ֧דֶשׁ בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ בַחֹ֔דֶשׁ בַחֹ֣דֶשׁ בחדש בחדש־ בחדשה בחדשו הֶחֳדָשִׁ֜ים הַחֹ֔דֶשׁ הַחֹ֖דֶשׁ הַחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ הַחֹ֜דֶשׁ הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַחֹ֤דֶשׁ הַחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַחֹ֧דֶשׁ החדש החדשים וְהַחֹ֗דֶשׁ וְלֶ֣חֳדָשִׁ֔ים וְלֶחֳדָשִׁ֣ים וּבֶחֳדָשִׁ֑ים וּבֶחֳדָשִׁים֙ וּבַחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ וּבַחֹ֣דֶשׁ וּבַחֹ֤דֶשׁ וּבַחֹ֥דֶשׁ וּבַחֹ֨דֶשׁ וּמֵחֹ֛דֶשׁ ובחדש ובחדשים והחדש ולחדשים ומחדש חֳ֠דָשִׁים חֳדָשִֽׁים׃ חֳדָשִׁ֑ים חֳדָשִׁ֔ים חֳדָשִׁ֖ים חֳדָשִׁ֗ים חֳדָשִׁ֛ים חֳדָשִׁ֜ים חֳדָשִׁים֙ חֳדָשָׁ֣יו חֳדָשָׁ֥יו חָדְשֵׁ֣י חָדְשֵׁיכֶ֔ם חָדְשֵׁיכֶ֤ם חָדְשֵׁיכֶם֒ חָדְשָׁ֣הּ חָדְשׁ֑וֹ חֹ֑דֶשׁ חֹ֔דֶשׁ חֹ֖דֶשׁ חֹ֗דֶשׁ חֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ חֹ֚דֶשׁ חֹ֜דֶשׁ חֹ֣דֶשׁ חֹ֤דֶשׁ חֹ֥דֶשׁ חֹ֧דֶשׁ חדש חדשה חדשו חדשי חדשיו חדשיכם חדשים חדשים׃ לְחָדְשֵׁ֖י לְחֹ֣דֶשׁ לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ לֶחֳדָשִׁ֔ים לֶחֳדָשִׁ֖ים לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ לַחֹ֗דֶשׁ לַחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ לַחֹ֛דֶשׁ לַחֹ֜דֶשׁ לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ לַחֹ֤דֶשׁ לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ לַחֹ֨דֶשׁ לַחֹֽדֶשׁ׃ לַחֹדֶשׁ֒ לַחֹדֶשׁ֩ לָֽחֳדָשָׁיו֙ לחדש לחדש׃ לחדשי לחדשיו לחדשים ba·ḥō·ḏeš ḇa·ḥō·ḏeš baChodesh baḥōḏeš ḇaḥōḏeš bə·ḥā·ḏə·šāh bə·ḥā·ḏə·šōw bə·ḥō·ḏeš ḇə·ḥō·ḏeš- bechadeShah bechadeSho beChodesh bəḥāḏəšāh bəḥāḏəšōw bəḥōḏeš ḇəḥōḏeš- chadeShah chadeShei chadesheiChem chadeSho chodaShav chodaShim Chodesh ḥā·ḏə·šāh ḥā·ḏə·šê ḥā·ḏə·šê·ḵem ḥā·ḏə·šōw ha·ḥō·ḏeš haChodesh ḥāḏəšāh ḥāḏəšê ḥāḏəšêḵem ḥāḏəšōw haḥōḏeš he·ḥo·ḏā·šîm hechodaShim heḥoḏāšîm ḥo·ḏā·šāw ḥo·ḏā·šîm ḥō·ḏeš ḥoḏāšāw ḥoḏāšîm ḥōḏeš lā·ḥo·ḏā·šāw la·ḥō·ḏeš laChodesh lāḥoḏāšāw laḥōḏeš lə·ḥā·ḏə·šê le·ḥo·ḏā·šîm lə·ḥō·ḏeš lechadeShei lechodaShim leChodesh ləḥāḏəšê leḥoḏāšîm ləḥōḏeš lochodaShav ū·ḇa·ḥō·ḏeš ū·ḇe·ḥo·ḏā·šîm ū·mê·ḥō·ḏeš ūḇaḥōḏeš ūḇeḥoḏāšîm umeChodesh ūmêḥōḏeš uvaChodesh uvechodaShim vaChodesh vechodesh vehaChodesh veLechodaShim wə·ha·ḥō·ḏeš wə·le·ḥo·ḏā·šîm wəhaḥōḏeš wəleḥoḏāšîm
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