probably of foreign origin; Nisan, the first month of the Jewish sacred year; Nisan.
Transliteration:Nîyçân
Pronunciation:nee-sawn'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H5212}}` (Nîyçân), transliterated as Nisan, denotes the first month of the Jewish sacred year. Its base definition indicates a probable foreign origin, reflecting the influence of the Babylonian calendar on the Jewish people during and after the exile. Prior to the exile, this month was known as Abib (אביב, `{{H24}}`), a name that signifies "ear of grain" and points to the agricultural season of ripening barley. The adoption of `{{H5212}}` signifies a shift in nomenclature, yet the month's fundamental religious and seasonal significance remained. Its semantic range is singularly focused on designating this specific temporal period within the annual cycle.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H5212}}` appears exclusively in post-exilic biblical books, specifically Nehemiah and Esther, which aligns with its foreign (Babylonian) derivation.
1. **[[Nehemiah 2:1]]**: "And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence."
* This verse precisely dates Nehemiah's pivotal interaction with King Artaxerxes, setting the stage for his request to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The mention of Nisan highlights the specific divine timing for the commencement of this crucial restoration project.
2. **[[Esther 3:7]]**: "In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar."
* Here, `{{H5212}}` is explicitly identified as "the first month," clarifying its position in the calendar. This verse establishes the precise timing of Haman's malevolent plot to annihilate the Jews throughout the Persian Empire. The casting of lots (Pur) in Nisan determined the fateful day for the decree's execution, setting in motion the dramatic events of the book.
In both contexts, the mention of Nisan serves to anchor significant historical events within a precise chronological framework, underscoring the providential ordering of time in God's unfolding plan.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of `{{H5212}}` is enriched by examining its connections to other biblical terms and concepts:
* **Abib (אביב, `{{H24}}`)**: The pre-exilic name for the first month. The transition from Abib to Nisan reflects the cultural impact of the Babylonian exile, yet the underlying significance of the month as the time of the barley harvest and the Passover remained constant.
* **Passover (פסח, `{{H6453}}`)**: The central festival celebrated in Nisan (on the 14th day), commemorating Israel's liberation from slavery in Egypt. Nisan's profound significance is inextricably linked to this foundational redemptive event.
* **Unleavened Bread (מצות, `{{H4682}}`)**: The Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately follows Passover, lasting seven days within Nisan (from the 15th to the 21st).
* **Firstfruits (ביכורים, `{{H1061}}`)**: The offering of the first sheaf of the barley harvest, celebrated during Nisan (on the day after the Sabbath following Passover), further connecting the month to agricultural cycles and divine provision.
* **Babylonian Calendar**: The name "Nisan" itself is derived from the Babylonian month *Nisanu*, illustrating the historical and cultural interface between Israel and its dominant neighbors during the post-exilic period.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5212}}` (Nisan) is multifaceted, though its direct biblical occurrences are few:
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Time**: The specific dating of crucial events in Nehemiah and Esther to the month of Nisan underscores God's meticulous orchestration of history. It highlights that even in times of national crisis or restoration, God's plan unfolds according to His perfect timing.
2. **Continuity of Covenant and Redemption**: Despite the adoption of a foreign name for the month, the enduring significance of Nisan as the month of Passover demonstrates the unbroken continuity of God's covenant with Israel. The change in nomenclature did not diminish the divine imperative to remember and celebrate the Exodus, the foundational act of Israel's redemption. Nisan thus remains a powerful symbol of liberation and new beginnings.
3. **Symbol of New Beginnings**: As the first month of the sacred year, Nisan inherently carries the symbolism of new beginnings. For Israel, it marked the spiritual new year, rooted in their birth as a nation through the Exodus. This theme resonates with the rebuilding efforts in Nehemiah and the renewed hope for the Jewish people in Esther.
4. **Anticipation of Messiah**: While not explicit in the biblical texts mentioning `{{H5212}}`, the theological importance of Nisan as the month of Passover lays a foundational layer for later theological development. Christian theology, in particular, observes that the ultimate act of redemption through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ occurred during the Passover season, thereby imbuing Nisan with profound messianic fulfillment.
### Summary
`{{H5212}}` (Nîyçân) is the post-exilic name for the first month of the Jewish sacred year, replacing the earlier name Abib (`{{H24}}`). This change reflects the cultural influence of the Babylonian exile. Biblically, `{{H5212}}` appears in Nehemiah and Esther, precisely dating significant historical events such as the commencement of Jerusalem's rebuilding and the initiation of Haman's genocidal plot, thereby emphasizing divine timing and providence. Theologically, Nisan is profoundly significant due to its association with the Passover (`{{H6453}}`) and the Exodus, symbolizing divine liberation, new beginnings, and the enduring nature of God's covenant. Its continued observance underscores the remembrance of God's foundational acts of redemption for His people throughout history.
TRV