Ezekiel 45:21 — Word Study
WLCבָּ֠רִאשׁוֹן בְּאַרְבָּעָ֨ה עָשָׂ֥ר יוֹם֙ לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם הַפָּ֑סַח חָ֕ג שְׁבֻע֣וֹת יָמִ֔ים מַצּ֖וֹת יֵאָכֵֽל׃
BSAOn the fourteenthʼarbaʻ [in the middle of the month, a turning point] dayyôwm of the first monthriʼshôwn [primary, initial] you are to observehâyâh▸ [keep, celebrate, or commemorate] the Passoverpeçach [a feast of redemption, a festival of freedom] a feastchag [a festival, a celebration] of sevenshâbûwaʻ daysyôwm ◂during which unleavened breadmatstsâh [in the course of, throughout, a sweet bread made without yeast] shall be eatenʼâkal▸ [consumed, devoured]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בָּ֠רִאשׁוֹן | in the first [month] | Preposition |
| בְּאַרְבָּעָ֨ה | on four- | Preposition |
| עָשָׂ֥ר | teen | |
| יוֹם֙ | day | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ | of the month | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| יִהְיֶ֥ה | it will be | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לָכֶ֖ם | for you | Preposition, suffix |
| הַפָּ֑סַח | the passover | Particle, noun |
| חָ֕ג | a festival | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| שְׁבֻע֣וֹת | weeks | Noun common, feminine plural construct |
| יָמִ֔ים | days | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| מַצּ֖וֹת | unleavened bread | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| יֵאָכֵֽל׃ | it will be eaten | Verb, Niphal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | On the fourteenth day of the first month you are to observe the Passover, a feast of seven days, during which unleavened bread shall be eaten. |
| KJV | In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten. |
| ASV | In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten. |
| YLT | 'In the first [month], in the fourteenth day of the month, ye have the passover, a feast of seven days, unleavened food is eaten. |
| WEB | “‘“In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, you shall have the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten. |
| BBE | In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, you are to have the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread is to be your food. |
Where they part company is בָּ֠רִאשׁוֹן — see How Translations Differ.
The structure of the verse is straightforward, with a main clause followed by several descriptive phrases that provide context and detail.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectמַצָּה
verbהָיָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Ezekiel 45:21
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Instructions for the Passovergenerated
Ezekiel 45:21 provides detailed instructions for the observance of Passover, a significant feast in the Hebrew calendar. This verse emphasizes the importance of this festival, which commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. The Passover is to be celebrated on the fourteenth day of the first month, marking a pivotal moment in the religious life of the community, as also seen in Exodus 12:1-51 and Leviticus 23:5-8.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 12:1–51 | Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, |
| 2 | Leviticus 23:5–8 | The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. |
| 3 | Numbers 9:2–14 | “The Israelites are to observe the Passover at its appointed time. |
| 4 | Numbers 28:16–25 | The fourteenth day of the first month is the LORD’s Passover. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 16:1–8 | Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רִאשׁוֹן, Ba.ri.shongenerated
The word רִאשׁוֹן (*ri'shown*) is a preposition meaning 'first' or 'primary'. It indicates something that comes before others in time or rank, emphasizing its significance in the context of the Passover observance.
This word is often used in the Hebrew Bible to denote the first month of the year, marking the beginning of the calendar and the timing of important festivals.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יִהְיֶ֥ה, it will be, governs the entire verse, with several phrases describing the observance of Passover. The structure emphasizes the timing and significance of the festival.
The verse is built around the observance of the Passover, with a sequence of phrases detailing the day, the month, and the nature of the feast.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew פֶּסַח is rendered as πασξα, which maintains the connection to the festival of Passover. This choice reflects the continuity of the festival's significance across both Hebrew and Greek traditions.
The Greek term πρώτῳ for רִאשׁוֹן emphasizes the initial nature of the month, aligning with the Hebrew meaning.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ezekiel 45:21 instructs the people to observe the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. This festival lasts for seven days, during which unleavened bread is eaten, commemorating the Israelites' escape from Egypt.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The Passover commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt, marking a pivotal moment in their history.
Unleavened bread symbolizes purity and the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, as they did not have time for their bread to rise.
The Passover celebration lasts for seven days, beginning on the fourteenth day of the first month.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is closely related to Passover, occurring immediately after it, as outlined in the laws given in Leviticus.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can understanding the significance of the Passover deepen my appreciation for its observance?
- In what ways can I incorporate the themes of redemption and freedom into my own life?
- What does the practice of celebrating festivals teach us about community and remembrance?
- How can I ensure that I am honoring the traditions and teachings of my faith in my daily life?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 45:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month,.... Of the month Nisan, that day fortnight from the cleansing of the sanctuary; and that day week from the expiation of the house, and the
Read John Gill on Ezekiel 45 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryIn the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 45 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIn the first month; Nisan, which is part of March and part of April with us. The fourteenth day; as was appointed of old by Moses, Exodus 12 at large. Ye shall have; have, and slay, for so . The passover; the lamb, which was to be eaten with thanksgiving for God’ s sparing the Jewish children, their first-born, when he slew the chief of the strength of Egypt, and for bringing the whole house of Israel out of Egypt. A feast of seven days: see the institution, Exodus 12. Unleavened bread shall be eaten: though here is an ellipsis, yet the thing clearly speaks itself; through the whole feast unleavened bread was to be eaten under great penalty, ,19. These things no doubt concerned the returned…
Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 45 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEzekiel 45:21 In the first [month], in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.Ver. 21. In the fourteenth day.] Upon that very day, not duly observed then by the Jews, was "Christ our passover sacrificed for us."
Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 45 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges21. The feasts. The passover on the fourteenth of the first month feast of seven days] So no doubt Heb. should be read, with the ancient versions. At present it reads: a feast of weeks of days. Ezekiel omits all ref. to the so-called feast of weeks, i.e. pentecost, seven weeks after the unleavened bread, when the sickle was put into the grain.
Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 45 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible21-25. It is commanded that on the fourteenth day of Abib (compare Exodus 12:6) the passover shall be celebrated (Ezekiel 45:21) and the prince “shall provide” (Ezekiel 45:22-23; compare Ezekiel
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ezekiel 45 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
On the fourteenth day of the first month you are to observe the Passover, a feast of seven days, during which unleavened bread shall be eaten.
“‘“In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, you shall have the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.
On the fourteenth day of the first month you are to observe the Passover, a feast of seven days, during which unleavened bread shall be eaten.
“‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, you will celebrate the Passover, and for seven days bread made without yeast will be eaten.
Tyndale line
In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.
In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.
In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.
In the first month , in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.
In the first moneth in the foureteenth day of the moneth, ye shall haue the Passeouer, a feast of seuen dayes, and ye shall eate vnleauened bread.
Strictly literal
In the first [month], on the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days: unleavened bread shall be eaten.
'In the first [month], in the fourteenth day of the month, ye have the passover, a feast of seven days, unleavened food is eaten.
In the first [month], on the fourteenth day of the month, you have the Passover, a celebration of seven days, unleavened bread is eaten.
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, shall ye have the passover: a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.
In the first month on the fourteenth day of the month, there will be for you a festival, a seven-day festival. You will eat unleavened bread.
From the Latin
In the first month, the fourteenth day of the month, you shall observe the solemnity of the pasch: seven days unleavened bread shall be eaten.
Simplified
You are to keep the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. This is a religious festival that lasts seven days, during which time bread made without yeast is to be eaten.
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, you are to have the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread is to be your food.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text states that the Passover is to be observed on the fourteenth day of the first month, lasting for seven days during which unleavened bread is eaten. The Septuagint, while not providing a complete text, aligns closely with the Masoretic Text in meaning, though it has a different word order and structure. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls have not been specifically mentioned in this instance, so their agreement or differences cannot be assessed here based on the provided data.
בָּ֠רִאשׁוֹן בְּאַרְבָּעָ֨ה עָשָׂ֥ר יוֹם֙ לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם הַפָּ֑סַח חָ֕ג שְׁבֻע֣וֹת יָמִ֔ים מַצּ֖וֹת יֵאָכֵֽל׃
10 of the 13 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Ezekiel 45:21
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word רִאשׁוֹן (*ri'shown*) means 'first' and can refer to something that is primary, former, or chief. It encompasses meanings related to time, rank, and location, indicating ancestors or previous things. The entries consistently emphasize its use as an adjective and adverb, with no significant disagreement noted among the lexicons.
רִאשׁוֹן 182 adj. former, first, chief
base
H7223 רִאשׁוֹן former, first, chief
7223 ri'shown ree-shone'
or riishon {ree-shone'}; from 7221; first, in place, time or
rank (as adjective or noun):--ancestor, (that were)
before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father)
(-most), former (thing), of old time, past.
see HEBREW for 07221
רִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) — first.
: first
adj
1) first, primary, former
1a) former (of time)
1a1) ancestors
1a2) former things
1b) foremost (of location)
1c) first (in time)
1d) first, chief (in degree)
adv
2) first, before, formerly, at first
רִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) — first: previous.
: previous
adj
1) first, primary, former
1a) former (of time)
1a1) ancestors
1a2) former things
1b) foremost (of location)
1c) first (in time)
1d) first, chief (in degree)
adv
2) first, before, formerly, at first
רִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) — first: chief.
: chief
adj
1) first, primary, former
1a) former (of time)
1a1) ancestors
1a2) former things
1b) foremost (of location)
1c) first (in time)
1d) first, chief (in degree)
adv
2) first, before, formerly, at first
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHRd/Aomsa
munth (chodhesh, yerach; men): Chodhesh is strictly the "new moon," the appearance of which marked the beginning of the month, commonly indicated by ro'sh ha-chodhesh. Yerach is derived from yareach, "moon," which comes from the verb that means "to wander," "to make a circuit." Thus the month was lunar, the period of the moon's circuit. The Greek men also meant "moon," from the Sanskrit ma, "to measure," the Latin mensis and our "moon" being derived from the same root.
Month
Among the Egyptians the month of thirty days each was in use long before the time of the Exodus, and formed the basis of their calculations. From the time of the institution of the Mosaic law the month among the Jews was lunar. The cycle of religious feasts depended on the moon. The commencement of a month was determined by the observation of the new moon. The number of months in the year was usually twelve (1 Kings 4:7; 1 Chr. 27:1-15); but every third year an additional month (ve-Adar) was inserted, so as to make the months coincide with the seasons.
“The Hebrews and Phoenicians had no word for month save ’moon,’ and only saved their calendar from becoming vague like that of the Moslems by the interpolation of an additional month. There is no evidence at all that they ever…
From the time of the institution of the Mosaic law downward the religious feasts commencing with the passover depended not simply on the month, but on the moon; the 14th of Abib was coincident with the full moon; and the new moons themselves were the occasions of regular festivals. (Numbers 10:10; 28:11-14) The commencement of the month was generally decided by observation of the new moon. The usual number of months in a year was twelve, as implied in (1 Kings 4:7; 1 Chronicles 27:1-15) but since twelve lunar months would make but 354 1/2 days, the years would be short twelve days of the short twelve days of the true year, and therefore it follows as a matter of course that an additional month must have been inserted about…
The Hebrews months were lunar months, that is, from one new moon to another. These lunar months were each reckoned at twenty-nine days and a half; or rather, one was of thirty days, the following of twenty-nine, and so on alternately: that which had thirty days was called a full or complete month; that which had but twenty-nine days was called incomplete. The new moon was always the beginning of the month and this day they called new-moon day, or new month. The Hebrews usually designated the months only as first, second, etc.; and the names by which they are now known are believed to be of Persian origin, and to have been adopted by the Jews during the captivity. At the exodus from Egypt, which occurred in April, God ordained that that month-the seventh of the civil year—should be the first of the sacred year, according to which the religious festivals were to be reckoned; and from that…
אַרְבַּע (arba) means 'four' in Hebrew. It is a masculine noun derived from the root associated with the number four. The entries consistently affirm this meaning without any significant disagreement among lexicons.
אַרְבַּע, אַרְבָּעָה four
base
H702 אַרְבַּע, אַרְבָּעָה four
702 'arba` ar-bah'
masculine oarbaah {ar-baw-aw'}; from 7251; four:--four.
see HEBREW for 07251
אַרְבַּע (ar.ba) — four.
four
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHR/Acbsa
for ('arba`; tessares): "Four" (cardinal number) was a sacred and complete number with the Hebrews, as well as with several other peoples. It occurs very frequently in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
(1) It indicates completeness. We have the four rivers of Paradise (Ge 2:10); the four winds of heaven (Eze 37:9; Da 7:2; 8:8; 11:4; Zec 6:5, the Revised Version, margin "spirits"; /APC 2Esdras 13:5); "the four winds" (Mt 24:31; Mr 13:27); "the four corners of the earth" (Isa 11:12;
עָשָׂר (asar) means 'ten' and is used exclusively in combination with other numbers to form the teen numbers (11-19), both as cardinal and ordinal forms. The entries indicate that it is derived from another Hebrew root, but do not elaborate on its etymology.
עָשָׂר, עֶשְׂרֵה ten, only after units to make num. 11-19, both cardinal and ordinal
base
H6240 עָשָׂר, עֶשְׂרֵה ten, only after units to make num. 11-19, both cardinal and ordinal
6240 `asar aw-sawr'
for 6235; ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also
(ordinal) -teenth:--(eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-,
six-, thir-)teen(-th), + eleven(-th), + sixscore thousand, +
twelve(-th).
see HEBREW for 06235
עָשָׂר (a.sar) — ten.
1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers)
1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
HAcbsa — HAcbsa
יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
יוֹם 2285 n.m. day
day, opp. night
Day as division of time
יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
Pl. days of anyone
Days
יוֹם = time
Phrases
base
H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night
. Day as division of time
. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
. Pl. days of anyone
. Days
. יוֹם = time
. Phrases
3117 yowm yome
from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm
hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one
sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by
an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +
chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)
day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +
(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as
(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,
presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,
then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,
weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole
(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
יוֹם (yom) — day.
: day/when/time/period
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: old.
: old/(full/many)[days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: year.
: year[of_days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
da (yom; hemera): This common word has caused some trouble to plain readers, because they have not noticed that the word is used in several different senses in the English Bible. When the different uses of the word are understood the difficulty of interpretation vanishes. We note several different uses of the word:
(1) It sometimes means the time from daylight till dark. This popular meaning is easily discovered by the context, e. g. Ge 1:5; 8:22, etc. The marked periods of this daytime were morning, noon and night, as with us. See Ps 55:17. The early hours were sometimes called "the cool of the day" (Ge 3:8). After the exile the day. or daytime was divided into twelve hours and the night into twelve (see
Day
The Jews reckoned the day from sunset to sunset (Lev. 23:32). It was originally divided into three parts (Ps. 55:17). “The heat of the day” (1 Sam. 11:11; Neh. 7:3) was at our nine o’clock, and “the cool of the day” just before sunset (Gen. 3:8). Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches, (1) from sunset to midnight (Lam. 2:19); (2) from midnight till the cock-crowing (Judg. 7:19); and (3) from the cock-crowing till sunrise (Ex.…
The variable length of the natural day at different seasons led in the very earliest times to the adoption of the civil day (or one revolution of the sun) as a standard of time. The Hebrews reckoned the day from evening to evening, (Leviticus 23:32) deriving it from (Genesis 1:5) "the evening and the morning were the first day." The Jews are supposed, like the modern Arabs, to have adopted from an early period minute specifications of the parts of the natural day. Roughly, indeed, they were content to divide it into "morning, evening and noonday," (Psalms 55:17) but when they wished for greater accuracy they pointed to six unequal parts, each of which was again subdivided. These are held to have been -- "the dawn." "Sunrise."…
The day is distinguished into natural, civil, and artificial. The natural day is one revolution of the earth on its axis. The civil day is that, the beginning and the end of which are determined by the custom of any nation. The Hebrews began their day in the evening, Le 23:32; the Babylonians at sunrise; and we begin at midnight. The artificial day is the time of the sun’s continuance above the horizon, which is unequal according to different seasons, on account of the obliquity of the equator. The sacred writers generally divide the day into twelve hours. The sixth hour always ends at noon throughout the year; and the twelfth hour is the last hour before sunset. But in summer, all the hours of the day were longer than in winter, while those of night were shorter. See HOURS, and THREE.
חֹ֫דֶשׁ (chodesh) refers to the concept of newness, specifically the new moon and the month. It denotes both the lunar month and the first day of that month. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to timekeeping in the Hebrew calendar.
חֹ֫דֶשׁ 282 n.m. (newness), new moon, month
base
H2320 חֹ֫דֶשׁ (newness), new moon, month
2320 chodesh kho'-desh
from 2318; the new moon; by implication, a
month:--month(-ly), new moon.
see HEBREW for 02318
חֹ֫דֶשׁ (cho.desh) — month.
: month
1) the new moon, month, monthly
1a) the first day of the month
1b) the lunar month
חֹ֫דֶשׁ (cho.desh) — month: new moon.
: new_moon
1) the new moon, month, monthly
1a) the first day of the month
1b) the lunar month
Also means: cho.desh (חֹ֫דֶשׁ ": month" H2320)
HRd/Ncmsa — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
munth (chodhesh, yerach; men): Chodhesh is strictly the "new moon," the appearance of which marked the beginning of the month, commonly indicated by ro'sh ha-chodhesh. Yerach is derived from yareach, "moon," which comes from the verb that means "to wander," "to make a circuit." Thus the month was lunar, the period of the moon's circuit. The Greek men also meant "moon," from the Sanskrit ma, "to measure," the Latin mensis and our "moon" being derived from the same root.
Month
Among the Egyptians the month of thirty days each was in use long before the time of the Exodus, and formed the basis of their calculations. From the time of the institution of the Mosaic law the month among the Jews was lunar. The cycle of religious feasts depended on the moon. The commencement of a month was determined by the observation of the new moon. The number of months in the year was usually twelve (1 Kings 4:7; 1 Chr. 27:1-15); but every third year an additional month (ve-Adar) was inserted, so as to make the months coincide with the seasons.
“The Hebrews and Phoenicians had no word for month save ’moon,’ and only saved their calendar from becoming vague like that of the Moslems by the interpolation of an additional month. There is no evidence at all that they ever…
From the time of the institution of the Mosaic law downward the religious feasts commencing with the passover depended not simply on the month, but on the moon; the 14th of Abib was coincident with the full moon; and the new moons themselves were the occasions of regular festivals. (Numbers 10:10; 28:11-14) The commencement of the month was generally decided by observation of the new moon. The usual number of months in a year was twelve, as implied in (1 Kings 4:7; 1 Chronicles 27:1-15) but since twelve lunar months would make but 354 1/2 days, the years would be short twelve days of the short twelve days of the true year, and therefore it follows as a matter of course that an additional month must have been inserted about…
The Hebrews months were lunar months, that is, from one new moon to another. These lunar months were each reckoned at twenty-nine days and a half; or rather, one was of thirty days, the following of twenty-nine, and so on alternately: that which had thirty days was called a full or complete month; that which had but twenty-nine days was called incomplete. The new moon was always the beginning of the month and this day they called new-moon day, or new month. The Hebrews usually designated the months only as first, second, etc.; and the names by which they are now known are believed to be of Persian origin, and to have been adopted by the Jews during the captivity. At the exodus from Egypt, which occurred in April, God ordained that that month-the seventh of the civil year—should be the first of the sacred year, according to which the religious festivals were to be reckoned; and from that…
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
כֶם (khem) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine plural
HR/Sp2mp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2mp
פֶּ֫סַח (pesach) refers to the Passover, encompassing the sacrifice associated with it, the animal victim, and the festival itself. It is derived from a root meaning 'exemption' and is used specifically in the context of the Jewish Passover. The term is also linked to the Greek word 'pascha'.
פֶּ֫סַח n.m. passover
sacrifice of passover, involving communion meal, hence a species of peace-offering
the animal victim of the passover
festival of the passover
base
H6453 פֶּ֫סַח passover . sacrifice of passover, involving communion meal, hence a species of peace-offering
. the animal victim of the passover
. festival of the passover
6453 pecach peh'-sakh
from 6452; a pretermission, i.e. exemption; used only
techically of the Jewish Passover (the festival or the
victim):--passover (offering).
see HEBREW for 06452
פֶּ֫סַח (pe.sach) — Passover.
Passover,
1a) sacrifice of passover
1b) animal victim of the passover
1c) festival of the passover
Also named: pascha (πάσχα "Passover lamb" G3957)
Art | N-ms — Particle · nounHTd/Ntmsa
pas'-o-ver (pecach, from pacach, "to pass" or "spring over" or "to spare" (Ex 12:13,23,17; compare Isa 31:5. Other conjectures connect the word with the "passing over" into a new year, with assyr pasahu, meaning "to placate," with Hebrew pacah, meaning "to dance," and even with the skipping motions of a young lamb; Aramaic [~paccha', whence Greek Pascha; whence English "paschal." In early Christian centuries folk-etymology connected pascha with Greek pascho, "to suffer" (see PASSION), and the word was taken to refer to Good Friday rather than the Passover):
1. Pecach and Matstsoth
2. Pecach mitsrayim
3. Pecach doroth
4. Matstsoth
5. The `Omer
6. Non-traditional Theories
7. The Higher Criticism
8. Historical Celebrations: Old Testament Times
9. Historical Celebrations: New Testament Times
Passover
The name given to the chief of the three great historical annual festivals of the Jews. It was kept in remembrance of the Lord’s passing over the houses of the Israelites (Ex. 12:13) when the first born of all the Egyptians were destroyed. It is called also the “feast of unleavened bread” (Ex. 23:15; Mark 14:1; Acts 12:3), because during its celebration no leavened bread was to be eaten or even kept in the household (Ex. 12:15). The word afterwards came to denote the lamb that was slain at the feast (Mark 14:12-14;
the first of the three great annual festivals of the Israelites celebrated in the month Nisan (March-April, from the 14th to the 21st. (Strictly speaking the Passover only applied to the paschal supper and the feast of unleavened bread followed, which was celebrated to the 21st.) (For the corresponding dates in our month, see Jewish calendar at the end of this volume.) The following are the principal passages in the Pentateuch relating to the Passover: (Exodus 12:1-51; 13:3-10; 23:14-19; 34:18-26; Leviticus 23:4-14; Numbers 9:1-14; 28:16-25; 16:1-6) Why instituted . --This feast was instituted by God to commemorate the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and the sparing of their firstborn when the destroying…
Hebrew PESACH, Greek PASCHA, a passing over, a name given to the festival established and to the victim offered in commemoration of he coming forth out of Egypt, Ex 12:1-51; because the night before their departure, the destroying angel, who slew the firstborn of the Egyptians, passed over the houses of the Hebrews without entering them, they being marked with the blood of the lamb, which for this reason was called he Passover, Mr 14:12,14 1Co 5:7, or the paschal lamb.
The month of the exodus from Egypt, called Abib by Moses, and afterwards named Nisan, was ordained to be thereafter the first month of the sacred or ecclesiastical year. On the fourteenth day of this month, between the two evenings, (See EVENING,) they were to…
חַג (chag) refers to a festival or feast, often associated with a gathering or pilgrimage. It can denote both a celebratory occasion and the sacrifices made during such festivals. The term is linked to the root word for a solemn feast day or sacrifice, indicating its significance in religious contexts.
חַג n.m. festival-gathering, feast, pilgrim-feast
feast
festival sacrifice
base
H2282 חַג festival-gathering, feast, pilgrim-feast
2282 chag khag
or chag {khawg}; from 2287; a festival, or a victim
therefor:--(solemn) feast (day), sacrifice, solemnity.
see HEBREW for 02287
חַג (chag) — feast.
1) festival, feast, festival-gathering, pilgrim-feast
1a) feast
1b) festival sacrifice
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
fes'-ti-val.
See FEASTS AND FASTS.
שָׁבוּעַ (shabuwa`) refers to a period of seven, specifically a week, and can denote both weeks of days and years. It is associated with the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost. The term is derived from a root meaning 'sevened,' indicating its connection to the number seven.
שָׁבוּעַ n.m. period of seven (days, years), heptad, week
base
H7620 שָׁבוּעַ period of seven (days, years), heptad, week
7620 shabuwa` shaw-boo'-ah
or shabuan {shaw-boo'-ah}; also (feminine) shbu.ah
{sheb-oo-aw'}; properly, passive participle of 7650 as a
denominative of 7651; literal, sevened, i.e. a week
(specifically, of years):--seven, week.
see HEBREW for 07650
see HEBREW for 07651
שָׁבוּעַ (sha.vu.a) — Weeks.
Feast of Weeks,
Also named: pentēkostē (πεντηκοστή "Pentecost" G4005)
This name means seven,
שָׁבוּעַ (sha.vu.a) — week.
1) seven, period of seven (days or years), heptad, week
1a) period of seven days, a week
1a1) Feast of Weeks
1b) heptad, seven (of years)
Also means: sha.vu.a (שָׁבוּעַ "week" H7620I)
שָׁבוּעַ (sha.vu.a) — week.
1) seven, period of seven (days or years), heptad, week
1a) period of seven days, a week
1a1) Feast of Weeks
1b) heptad, seven (of years)
N-mp — Noun common · feminine plural constructHNcfpc
Or successive periods of seven days each, were known from the earliest times among nations remote from each other in Europe, Asia, and Africa, Ge 29:27. See SABBATH.
The Hebrew had only numeral names for the days of the week, excepting the Sabbath; the names now current among us being borrowed from Saxon mythology. The Jews called Sunday "one of the Sabbath." A prophetic week and a week of years were each seven years; and a week of sabbatical years, or fortynine years, brought round the year of jubilee. In Joh 20:26, the disciples are said to have met again after "eight days," that is, evidently after a week, on the eighth day after our Lord’s resurrection. See THREE.
For the "Feast of Weeks," see PENTECOST.
יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
יוֹם 2285 n.m. day
day, opp. night
Day as division of time
יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
Pl. days of anyone
Days
יוֹם = time
Phrases
base
H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night
. Day as division of time
. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
. Pl. days of anyone
. Days
. יוֹם = time
. Phrases
3117 yowm yome
from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm
hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one
sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by
an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +
chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)
day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +
(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as
(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,
presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,
then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,
weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole
(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
יוֹם (yom) — day.
: day/when/time/period
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: old.
: old/(full/many)[days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: year.
: year[of_days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
מַצָּה (matstsah) refers to unleavened bread or cakes, specifically those made without yeast. The term is linked to the idea of sweetness, contrasting with sour or bitter bread. It is notably associated with the festival of Passover, during which leaven is prohibited.
מַצָּה n.f. unleavened bread, or cake(s)
base
H4682 מַצָּה unleavened bread, or cake(s)
4682 matstsah mats-tsaw'
from 4711 in the sense of greedily devouring for sweetness;
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e. not soured or
bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or
loaf, or (elliptically) the festival of Passover (because no
leaven was then used):--unleaved (bread, cake), without
leaven.
see HEBREW for 04711
מַצָּה (mats.tsah) — unleavened bread.
unleavened (bread, cake), without leaven.
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
→ (With yeast, which symbolized pervasive corruption)
→ See BREAD
→ See PASSOVER
אָכַל (akal) means 'to eat' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including literal consumption by humans and animals, as well as figurative uses like devouring by fire or destruction. It can describe actions such as feeding or causing to eat, and it also appears in contexts of oppression and destruction. The verb has various forms, indicating different subjects and nuances.
אָכַל 806 vb. eat
Qal
eat, human subject
of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour
fig. of fire, devour, consume
of sword, devour, slay
in genl., devour, consume, destroy
fig. of oppression, devour the poor
Niph.
be eaten by man
be devoured by fire, consumed
be wasted, destroyed, of flesh
Pu. be consumed
Hiph.
cause to eat, feed with
cause to devoure, obj. sword
base
H398 אָכַל eat .. eat, human subject
. of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour
. fig. of fire, devour, consume
. of sword, devour, slay
. in genl., devour, consume, destroy
. fig. of oppression, devour the poor
. . be eaten by man
. be devoured by fire, consumed
. be wasted, destroyed, of flesh
. be consumed
. . cause to eat, feed with
. cause to devoure, obj. sword
398 'akal aw-kal'
a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively):--X at
all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up),
feed (with), food, X freely, X in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay)
meat, X quite.
אָכַל (a.khal) — to eat.
1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to eat (human subject)
1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds)
1a3) to devour, consume (of fire)
1a4) to devour, slay (of sword)
1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought)
1a6) to devour (of oppression)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be eaten (by men)
1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire)
1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh)
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to cause to eat, feed with
1c2) to cause to devour
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to feed
1d2) to cause to eat
1e) (Piel)
1e1) consume
Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVNi3ms