from חָדַשׁ; the new moon; by implication, a month; month(-ly), new moon.
Transliteration:chôdesh
Pronunciation:kho'-desh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term *chôdesh* (`{{H2320}}`) stems directly from the root *chadash* (`{{H2318}}`), which means "to be new," "to renew," or "to repair." This etymological connection is crucial, as it imbues *chôdesh* with the intrinsic concept of newness and renewal. Its primary semantic range encompasses two closely related meanings:
1. **The New Moon:** This refers to the first visible crescent of the moon following its conjunction with the sun, marking the astronomical and calendrical beginning of a new lunar cycle. In ancient Israel, this was a significant celestial event.
2. **A Month:** By direct implication and common usage, *chôdesh* came to denote the entire period of a lunar month, typically 29 or 30 days, as the new moon marked its commencement.
Thus, *chôdesh* can refer to both the specific day of the new moon observance and the broader calendrical unit of a month, depending on the context.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word *chôdesh* appears extensively throughout the Hebrew Bible, highlighting its dual significance as a calendrical marker and a religious observance.
As a **calendrical marker** for "month," *chôdesh* is used to date events and structure time:
* In the Flood narrative, it denotes the passage of months: "In the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month..." [[Genesis 7:11]].
* It is used to identify specific months within the year, often numerically: "This month shall be unto you the beginning of months..." [[Exodus 12:2]]. "In the first month, in the second year, on the first day of the month..." [[Numbers 1:1]].
* It also appears in phrases like "every month" or "monthly" to indicate regularity: "...a provision for each month in the year." [[1 Kings 4:7]].
As the **"new moon" observance**, *chôdesh* carries significant liturgical weight:
* It was a day for special sacrifices and offerings, often grouped with Sabbaths and other appointed feasts: "Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings..." [[Numbers 10:10]]. Detailed sacrificial regulations are found in [[Numbers 28:11-15]].
* It was a time when prophets were consulted and special assemblies might be held: "Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath." [[2 Kings 4:23]].
* The prophet Amos indicates that normal commercial activities were suspended: "When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat...?" [[Amos 8:5]].
* Isaiah condemns the empty ritualism of new moon celebrations when divorced from true obedience: "Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them." [[Isaiah 1:13]].
* Ezekiel describes the gate of the inner court being opened on the new moon for worship: "Thus saith the Lord God; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and on the day of the new moon it shall be opened." [[Ezekiel 46:1]].
* Significantly, in the eschatological vision of Isaiah, new moon observances are transformed into perpetual worship: "And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord." [[Isaiah 66:23]].
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of *chôdesh* is enriched by its connections to other key biblical terms and concepts:
* **חָדַשׁ (chadash - `{{H2318}}`):** The verbal root "to be new, renew." This foundational link emphasizes the cyclical renewal inherent in the new moon and the concept of fresh beginnings.
* **מוֹעֵד (mo'ed - `{{H4150}}`):** "Appointed time, assembly, festival." The new moon is frequently listed among the *mo'adim*, underscoring its status as a divinely ordained sacred time.
* **שַׁבָּת (shabbat - `{{H7676}}`):** "Sabbath." Often paired with *chôdesh* in descriptions of religious observances, highlighting their shared status as days set apart for rest and worship.
* **Lunar Calendar:** The entire system of timekeeping in ancient Israel was based on lunar cycles, making the *chôdesh* the fundamental unit for structuring the year and its festivals.
* **Sacrifice and Offering:** The extensive regulations for new moon sacrifices (e.g., [[Numbers 28]]) demonstrate its integral role in Israel's cultic worship.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *chôdesh* is multifaceted:
* **Divine Ordering of Creation:** The regular appearance of the new moon testifies to God's orderly creation and His establishment of time, seasons, and celestial rhythms. It reflects a cosmos governed by divine design.
* **Sanctification of Time:** By designating the new moon as a day of special worship and sacrifice, God taught Israel to sanctify time, setting aside specific periods for acknowledging His sovereignty and communing with Him. It transforms a natural phenomenon into a sacred occasion.
* **Covenantal Renewal and Anticipation:** The inherent "newness" in *chôdesh* can symbolize spiritual renewal and the anticipation of God's ongoing work within His covenant people. Each new month offered a fresh opportunity for faithfulness and a reminder of God's unchanging promises.
* **God's Faithfulness:** The predictable return of the new moon, like the consistent rising of the sun, serves as a tangible reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and the reliability of His covenant with His people.
* **Eschatological Worship:** The prophecy in [[Isaiah 66:23]] extends the concept of new moon worship into the eschatological age. This suggests that while the specific rituals of the old covenant might pass, the underlying principle of universal and perpetual worship of God will be fully realized in the new heavens and new earth. It points to a time when all humanity will acknowledge and worship the Creator without ceasing.
### Summary
The Hebrew word *chôdesh* (`{{H2320}}`), derived from the root *chadash* (`{{H2318}}`) meaning "to be new," primarily signifies both the "new moon" and, by extension, a "month." Biblically, it serves as a crucial calendrical marker for dating events ([[Genesis 7:11]], [[Exodus 12:2]]) and, more profoundly, as a designated time for significant religious observance. The new moon was a day for special sacrifices and offerings ([[Numbers 28:11]]), often grouped with Sabbaths and other appointed feasts, emphasizing its sacred status within Israel's liturgical calendar ([[Numbers 10:10]], [[Amos 8:5]]). Theologically, *chôdesh* underscores God's orderly creation and His sanctification of time, inviting His people into regular communion and reminding them of His faithfulness. Its prophetic mention in [[Isaiah 66:23]] points to a future of perpetual, universal worship, fulfilling the spiritual longing for renewal and divine presence that the new moon observances prefigured.
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