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Hodesh

hebrew_lexical_and_biblical_background_term theological_term standard

Hodesh (Hebrew ḥōdeš) means “month” and, in some contexts, “new moon,” the lunar marker used to begin the monthly cycle in Israel’s calendar.

At a Glance

A Hebrew lexical term for the monthly cycle, often connected with the new moon in Old Testament timekeeping.

Key Points

Description

Hodesh is a Hebrew word used in the Old Testament for a “month,” often in connection with the new moon that signaled the start of the month in Israel’s calendar. Scripture uses the term in ordinary dating formulas and in contexts related to worship, offerings, and appointed times, so it is important for understanding how Israel marked sacred time. The term itself, however, is primarily lexical and calendrical rather than doctrinal. A clear entry should explain that its meaning depends on context: it may denote a month, the new moon, or the monthly cycle as a whole.

Biblical Context

The Old Testament calendar was tied to recurring lunar months, and hodesh appears in passages that date events, regulate offerings, and mark appointed times. It helps readers understand how Israel reckoned time under the Law and how calendar language functioned in worship and daily life.

Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, lunar months were a common way of tracking time. Israel’s calendar shared that basic structure, while also being shaped by the covenant and by the Lord’s appointed feasts. Hodesh belongs to that ordinary but important timekeeping framework.

Jewish and Ancient Context

In Jewish life the new moon was significant because it signaled the beginning of a month and affected the timing of feasts and offerings. Later Jewish practice continued to treat new-moon observance as calendarically important, though the exact customs varied by period.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

Hebrew חֹדֶשׁ (ḥōdeš) commonly means “month,” and in some contexts the same word is used for the new moon that begins the month.

Theological Significance

Hodesh is significant mainly because it shows that God ordered Israel’s time, worship, and feasts within a structured calendar. It supports biblical themes of order, remembrance, and appointed times, but it is not itself a major doctrine.

Philosophical Explanation

This is a lexical and calendrical term, not an abstract theological category. Its importance comes from how language, timekeeping, and worship intersect in the biblical world.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not assume every occurrence means the astronomical new moon; context decides whether “month” or “new moon” is best. Also avoid building extra doctrine from the term itself beyond what the passage actually says.

Major Views

English versions usually translate hodesh as “month,” while some contexts are rendered “new moon.” The main issue is contextual usage, not doctrinal disagreement.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This term should not be used to impose speculative calendar systems or to make claims beyond the text. It identifies a biblical time-marker, not a separate doctrine.

Practical Significance

Hodesh helps Bible readers follow dates, festivals, sacrifices, and worship rhythms in the Old Testament. It is useful for reading the Law, historical narratives, and the prophets with greater precision.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Hodesh

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