Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the moon is frequently mentioned as a significant celestial body created by God to serve specific purposes. It is often associated with the regulation of time, seasons, and as a sign of God's covenant with His people.
Creation and PurposeThe moon is first mentioned in the creation account in Genesis. On the fourth day, God created the "two great lights" to govern the day and the night. The moon is described as the "lesser light" to rule the night:
"God made two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars." (
Genesis 1:16)
The moon, along with the sun, is established to mark time and seasons, playing a crucial role in the Hebrew calendar, which is lunar-based. The phases of the moon were used to determine the timing of religious festivals and observances.
Symbolism and SignificanceThe moon is often used symbolically in Scripture. It represents constancy and the enduring nature of God's creation. In
Psalm 89:37, the moon is described as a faithful witness in the sky:
"like the moon, established forever, a faithful witness in the sky.” (
Psalm 89:37)
The moon also serves as a metaphor for beauty and splendor. In the Song of Solomon, the beloved is compared to the moon:
"Who is this who shines like the dawn, as fair as the moon, as bright as the sun, as majestic as the stars in procession?" (
Song of Solomon 6:10)
Prophetic and Eschatological ReferencesThe moon is frequently mentioned in prophetic and eschatological contexts. It is often associated with signs and wonders that precede significant events. In the prophetic literature, the darkening of the moon is a common motif indicating divine judgment or the coming of the Day of the Lord:
"The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD." (
Joel 2:31)
This imagery is echoed in the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Revelation, where cosmic disturbances involving the moon are described as part of the end times:
"I watched as He opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red." (
Revelation 6:12)
Covenantal SignificanceThe moon also holds covenantal significance in the Bible. It is a reminder of God's enduring promises to His people. In Jeremiah, God uses the regularity of the moon as a metaphor for the certainty of His covenant with David:
"This is what the LORD says: ‘If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that day and night cease to occupy their appointed times, then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant, and with My ministers the Levites who are priests, so that David will not have a son to reign on his throne.'" (
Jeremiah 33:20-21)
Worship and IdolatryWhile the moon is a creation of God and serves His purposes, the Bible also warns against the worship of the moon as an idol. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the moon was often deified, but the Israelites were commanded to worship the Creator rather than the creation:
"And beware not to lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven." (
Deuteronomy 4:19)
The moon, therefore, serves as a testament to God's creative power, His faithfulness, and His sovereignty over time and history. It is a reminder of the divine order established by God and the futility of idolatry.
Strong's Hebrew
2320. chodesh -- new moon, a month... Definition new moon, a month NASB Word Usage month (204), month and months (1),
month throughout the months (2), months (33), new moon (17), new
moons (9).
...Library
The Fires which are Lighted on the NewMoons by Some Before their...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LXV. The fires which are lighted on
the newmoons by some before their shops and? The fires...
Christ's Kingdom among the Gentiles. 1 Jesus Shall Reign Where'er...
... 1 Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Does his successive journeys run; His kingdom
stretch from shore to shore Tillmoons shall wax and wane no more....
Why the Passover is Said to be that of the "Jews. " Its...
... between the passover of the Lord and the passover of the Jews, we may consider the
way in which Isaiah speaks of the matter: [5024] "Your newmoons and your...
Another Instance of Marcion's Tampering with St. Paul's Text the...
... of course, who is the Lord of that very succession of times which constitutes an
age; who also ordained, as "signs" of time, suns andmoons and constellations...
Of Blasphemy. One of St. Paul's Sayings.
... Who can maintain or defend this? The Holy Spirit upbraids the Jews with their
holy-days. "Your Sabbaths, and newmoons, and ceremonies," says He, "My soul...
Useless Sacrifice
... Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination to me; the newmoons and
sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even...
Galatians Chapter iv.
... from the beginning designed for us these gifts, but, as we yet continued childish,
He let us be under the elements of the world, that is, newmoons and sabbaths...
Marcion, Justifying his Antithesis Between the Law and the Gospel...
... their very founder announced that they were one day to cease; thus by Hosea: "I
will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast-days, her newmoons, and her...
Psalm.
... Um Erden wandeln Monde. Round their planets roll themoons,.... Thee we adore, who hath
the central Sun. Compassed with suns and planets and theirmoons;...
Sins of Ignorance.
... Accordingly some one well instructed in the doctrines taught by Moses, finding fault
with the people for their sins, called them sons of the newmoons and the...
Thesaurus
Moons (17 Occurrences)...Moons (17 Occurrences). Colossians 2:16 For this reason let no man be your judge
in any question of food or drink or feast days or new
moons or Sabbaths: (BBE).
...New-moons (1 Occurrence)
New-moons. New-moon, New-moons. Newness . Multi-Version Concordance
New-moons (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 31:3 He appointed...
Festivals (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 23:31 and to offer all burnt offerings to Yahweh, on the Sabbaths,
on the newmoons, and on the set feasts, in number according to the ordinance...
Sabbaths (53 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:16 For this reason let no man be your judge in any question of food
or drink or feast days or newmoons or Sabbaths: (BBE DBY WBS YLT)....
Seasons (43 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 23:31 and to offer all burnt-offerings unto Jehovah, on the sabbaths,
on the newmoons, and on the set feasts, in number according to the...
Trumpets (52 Occurrences)
... In addition to the usual daily burnt sacrifices and the special offerings for new
moons, there are to be offered one bullock, one ram, and seven he-lambs, with...
Feast (209 Occurrences)
... In addition to the usual daily burnt sacrifices and the special offerings for new
moons, there are to be offered one bullock, one ram, and seven he-lambs, with...
Moon (70 Occurrences)
... See Month. 2. (n.) A secondary planet, or satellite, revolving about any member
of the solar system; as, themoons of Jupiter or Saturn....
Feasts (45 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 23:31 and to offer all burnt offerings to Yahweh, on the Sabbaths,
on the newmoons, and on the set feasts, in number according to the ordinance...
Continual (55 Occurrences)
... him incense of sweet spices, and for the continual show bread, and for the burnt
offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, and on the newmoons, and on...
Resources
Why didn't Jesus return during the blood-red moon of 2015? | GotQuestions.orgIs there any significance to a full moon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that it is not good for a man to be alone (Genesis 2:18)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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