Moon — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Lesser luminary of the heavens (Gn 1:16). Many Semitic languages use the same word for moon as the Hebrew. In three passages in the Hebrew OT (Sg 6:10; Is 24:23; 30:26), the moon is called “the white one,” and paired with “the hot one,” the sun. Another term, “crescent,” is used in other languages such as Aramaic and Arabic, and “crescent ornaments” (Jgs 8:21, 26 OET JDG 8:21 · OET JDG 8:26; Is 3:18) are mentioned.

Show passage in OET: GEN 1:16

OET-RV GEN 1:16

16 so God made the two large lights, the larger, brighter light to rule the day, and the smaller light to rule the night, and he also made the stars.

OET-LV GEN 1:16

16 And_ god _he/it _made DOM the _two _of the_lights the_big(pl) DOM the_luminary the_big/great(sg) for_dominion the_day and_DOM the_luminary the_small(sg) for_dominion the_night and_DOM the_stars.

Show passage in OET: SNG 6:10

OET-RV SNG 6:10

⇔  10 “Who is that, the woman who looks down like the dawn,
⇔ beautiful like the moon,
⇔ pure like the sun,
⇔ awe-inspiring like armies marching with banners?”

OET-LV SNG 6:10

10 Who this is_the_one _who_looks _down like the_dawn beautiful like_moon pure like_sun majestic like _(the)_soldiers/messengers_banners.

Show passage in OET: ISA 24:23

OET-RV ISA 24:23

23 Then the moon will go shy, and the sun will hide in shame,
⇔ because Commander-in-chief Yahweh will reign on Mt. Tsiyon (Zion) there in Yerushalem (Jerusalem)
⇔ and with splendour in front of his elders.

OET-LV ISA 24:23

23 And_ the_moon _it _will _be _abashed and_ the_sun _it _will _be _ashamed if/because YHWH soldiers/messengers he _will _reign on_the _mountain _of Tsiyyōn/(Zion) and_in_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) and_before his _of_elders glory.

Show passage in OET: ISA 30:26

OET-RV ISA 30:26

26 The light from the moon will be like the light from the sun,
⇔ and the sun’s light will be seven times brighter
⇔ at the time when Yahweh bandages up his people’s fracture
⇔ and when he heals their severe wound.

OET-LV ISA 30:26

26 And_it _was the _light _of the _moon like_the _light _of the _sun and_the _light _of the _sun it _will _be sevenfold like_the _light _of seven _of the_days in/on_day YHWH binds _up DOM the _fracture _of his _people _of_his and_the _wound _of his _wound _of_his he _will _heal.

Show passage in OET: JDG 8:21; JDG 8:26

OET-RV JDG 8:21

21 Then Zevah and Tsalmuna said, “Come and kill us yourself—be a man and use your own strength.” So Gid’on went over and killed Zevah and Tsalmuna, and then he took the crescent-shaped ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.

OET-RV JDG 8:26

26 Now the weight of the gold earrings of gold came to twenty kilograms, and then there were the crescent-shaped ornaments, the pendants, the dyed purple garments that the Midyanite kings had been wearing, as well as the collars that had been around their camels’ necks.

OET-LV JDG 8:21

21 And_ Zeⱱaḩ and_Tsalmunnāˊ/(Zalmunna) _he/it _said you arise and_fall on_us if/because is_like_man strength _of_his and_ Gidˊōn _he/it _rose _up and_he _killed DOM Zeⱱaḩ and_DOM Tsalmunnāˊ and_he/it _took DOM the_ornaments which were_on_the _necks _of their _camels _of_their.

OET-LV JDG 8:26

26 And_he/it _was the _weight _of the _earrings _of the_gold which he _asked _for one _thousand and_seven hundred(s) gold apart_apart from the_ornaments and_the_pendants and_the _garments _of (the)_purple which_were_on the _kings _of Midyān and_apart from the_necklaces which were_on_the _necks _of their _camels _of_their.

Show passage in OET: ISA 3:18

OET-RV ISA 3:18

18 At that time my master will remove their fancy ankle bracelets and headbands, crescent necklaces

OET-LV ISA 3:18

18 In _the_day (the)_that my_master he _will _remove DOM the _splendour _of the _anklets and_the_amulets and_the_ornaments.

Jump to OET GEN 1:16 section.

Jump to OET SNG 6:10 section.

Jump to OET ISA 24:23 section.

Jump to OET ISA 30:26 section.

Jump to OET JDG 8:21 section. · OET JDG 8:26 section.

Jump to OET ISA 3:18 section.

In the creation account, it is said concerning the functions of the two luminaries: “They will be signs to mark off the seasons, the days, and the years” (Gn 1:14, NLT)—that is, “times” are determined by their movements. For this reason, when telling about the mighty deeds of the Lord in Creation, the poet says, “You made the moon to mark the seasons” (Ps 104:19, NLT). The ancient Hebrew calendar was lunar (Ecclus 43:6-7), the months beginning with the new moon, marked by special rituals (Nm 10:10; 28:11-14; 2 Chr 2:4). Two great festivals, Passover and Tabernacles, began in midmonth when the moon was full (Lv 23:5-6; Ps 81:3-5; and Lv 23:34, respectively). The seven-day week is a division of the 28-day lunar cycle into logical and convenient units, so the moon may be said to provide the basis for the significance of the number seven. As a corollary, the beginning of the seventh month, the Festival of Trumpets (Lv 23:24), marked the climax month of the sacred feasts; it also signified the New Year for regnal years and for agriculture (Josephus’s Antiquities 1.1.3; Mishnah, Rosh Hashanah 1:1).

Show passage in OET: GEN 1:14

OET-RV GEN 1:14

14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the sky to separate daytime from nighttime, so they’ll be signs, and for indicating seasons, and for tracking days and years.

OET-LV GEN 1:14

14 And_ god _he/it _said let _it _be luminaries in _the_firmament the_heavens to_separate between the_day and_between the_night and_they _will _be to/for_signs and_to/for_seasons and_to/for_days and_years.

Show passage in OET: PSA 104:19

OET-RV PSA 104:19

19 He made the moon to mark the months.
⇔ The sun knows when it’s time to go down.

OET-LV PSA 104:19

19 He _made the_moon for_appointed _times the_sun it _knows setting _of_its.

Show passage in OET: SIR 43:6–7

OET-RV SIR 43:6

⇔  6 The moon marks the changing seasons,
⇔ declares times, and is a sign for the world.

OET-RV SIR 43:7

7 From the moon is the sign of feast days,
⇔ a light that wanes when it completes its course.

OET-LV SIR 43:6

6 and the/this/who moon in/on/among all toward time/right_time he/she/it/self, ⟦ἀνάδειξιν⟧ time, and sign an_age.

OET-LV SIR 43:7

7 away_from moon sign festival, light ⟦μειούμενος⟧ upon/to/against consummation.

Show passage in OET: NUM 10:10

OET-RV NUM 10:10

10 On festival days and at times of celebrations and at the beginning of each new month, then the trumpets will be blown as the burnt offerings and peace offerings are made as a memorial for you all towards your god. I am your god, Yahweh.

OET-LV NUM 10:10

10 And_on_the _day _of your _rejoicing _of_your(pl) and_at_your(pl)_appointed _of_feasts and_at_the _beginnings _of your(pl)_months _of_your(pl) and_you(pl)_will _give _a _blast on_trumpets over offerings _of_your(pl)_burnt and_over the _sacrifices _of your(pl)_peace _offerings _of_your(pl) and_they _will _be to/for_you(pl) (into)_a_memorial to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before god _of_your(pl) I am_YHWH god _of_your(pl).

Show passage in OET: NUM 28:11–14

OET-RV NUM 28:11

11 “On the first day of each month, you all must bring Yahweh a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven one-year-old, male lambs with no defects.

OET-RV NUM 28:12

12 Each bull must be offered with three kilograms of fine flour mixed with oil, each ram with two kilograms,

OET-RV NUM 28:13

13 and each lamb with one kilogram. All of that will be a burnt offering with an aroma that will be pleasing to Yahweh.

OET-RV NUM 28:14

14 Their respective drink offerings will be two litres of wine with the bull, 1.3 litres with the ram, and one litre with each lamb. That will be the burnt offering for the start of each new month throughout the year.

OET-LV NUM 28:11

11 And_at_the _beginnings _of your(pl)_months _of_your(pl) you(pl)_will _bring _near a _burnt _offering to/for_YHWH young _bulls young _ones _of the_herd two and_a _ram one lambs sons _of a _year seven unblemished.

OET-LV NUM 28:12

12 And_three tenths_of _an _ʼēyfāh fine _flour a _grain _offering mixed with_oil for_bull the_one and_two _of tenths_of _an _ʼēyfāh fine _flour a _grain _offering mixed with_oil for_ram the_one.

OET-LV NUM 28:13

13 And_a _tenth_of _an _ʼēyfāh a _tenth_of _an _ʼēyfāh_of fine _flour a _grain _offering mixed with_oil for_lamb the_one a _burnt _offering an _odour _of soothing a _fire _offering to/for_YHWH.

OET-LV NUM 28:14

14 And_their _drink _of_offerings (the)_half _of (the)_hin it _will _be for_bull and _(the)_third _of (the)_hin for_ram and _(the)_fourth _of (the)_hin for_lamb wine this is_the_burnt _offering _of a _month in_month _of_its for_the _months _of the _year.

Show passage in OET: CH2 2:4

OET-RV CH2 2:4

4 Listen, I’m building a temple to honour my god Yahweh, to consecrate to him. There we’ll burn spiced incense for him, plus we’ll have the regular bread display, and burnt offerings in the morning and in the evening, on rest days and on the new moons, and at Yahweh our god’s other appointed times. Yisrael (Israel) is required to do this forever.

OET-LV CH2 2:3

3  HERE I am_about _to _build a _house for_the _name _of YHWH god _of_my to_consecrate_it to_him/it to_make _smoke before_him incense _of perfume(s) and_the_row _of continuity and_burnt _offerings for_morning and_for_evening for_sabbaths and_for_moons and_for_the _appointed _times _of YHWH god _of_our forever_perpetuity this is_on Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

Show passage in OET: LEV 23:5–6

OET-RV LEV 23:5

5 The 14th of the first month (Nisan = March/April) each year at twilight is the start of the celebration to honour Yahweh with the ‘passover’.

OET-RV LEV 23:6

6 Then the next day (the 15th) is the start of the festival of flat bread to honour Yahweh—you all must eat bread made without any rising agent for seven days.

OET-LV LEV 23:5

5 Will_in _the _month (the)_first on_day_four- teen of_month between the_evenings a _passover to/for_YHWH.

OET-LV LEV 23:6

6 And_will_be_on_the_fif- teen day of_month the_this the _festival _of (the)_unleavened _bread(s) to/for_YHWH seven _of days unleavened _bread(s) you(pl)_will _eat.

Show passage in OET: PSA 81:3–5

OET-RV PSA 81:3

3 Blow the trumpet on the day of the new moon,
⇔ ≈ on the day of the full moon, when our celebration begins,

OET-RV PSA 81:4

4 because it’s a statute for Yisrael (Israel)—
⇔ ≈ a decree given by Ya’akov’s god.

OET-RV PSA 81:5

5 He issued it as a regulation in Yosef (Joseph) (Yosef, but referring to Yisrael)
⇔ when he went against Mitsrayim (Egypt),
⇔ where I heard a voice that I didn’t recognize:

OET-LV PSA 81:4

4  Blow at_moon a _ram’s _horn at_moon to_the _day _of our _festival _of_our.

OET-LV PSA 81:5

5  If/because is_a _decree for_Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) it an _ordinance of_the _god _of of_Yaˊₐqoⱱ.

OET-LV PSA 81:6

6  A _transcript in_Yōşēf/(Joseph) he_established _it in_his/its_coming _out on the _land _of Miʦrayim/(Egypt) a _language _of (of)_which_not I _knew I _heard.

Show passage in OET: LEV 23:34

OET-RV LEV 23:34

34 Tell the Israelis that starting on the 15th of the seventh month (of Tishrei—around September/October), there will be a celebration in shelters to honour Yahweh.

OET-LV LEV 23:34

34 Speak to the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) to_say is_on_the_fif- teen day of_month the_seventh the_this the _festival _of (the)_booths seven _of days to_YHWH.

Show passage in OET: LEV 23:24

OET-RV LEV 23:24

24 “Tell the Israelis that on the 1st of the seventh month (Tishrei = September/October) each year, you must have a public holiday with a loud trumpet blast announcing the sacred assembly.

OET-LV LEV 23:24

24 Speak to the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) to_say in_month the_seventh on_day_one of_month it _will _be to/for_you(pl) a _sabbath _observance a _memorial _of a _sound _of _a _loud _blast a _convocation _of holiness.

Jump to OET GEN 1:14 section.

Jump to OET PSA 104:19 section.

Jump to OET SIR 43:6–7 section.

Jump to OET NUM 10:10 section.

Jump to OET NUM 28:11–14 section.

Jump to OET CH2 2:4 section.

Jump to OET LEV 23:5–6 section.

Jump to OET PSA 81:3–5 section.

Jump to OET LEV 23:34 section.

Jump to OET LEV 23:24 section.

One verse in the creation story speaks of the sun’s dominion over the day and the moon’s over the night (Gn 1:16; cf. Ps 136:9). The moon is also mentioned (alongside the sun) in the general order of creation when the spheres of the universe were established (Jer 31:35). From this the luminaries symbolize the continuity of the world order (Pss 72:5; 89:37-38). The darkening of the moon (and the sun) is a sign of the change of the order in creation in the latter days (Is 13:10; Ez 32:7; Jl 2:10; Hb 3:11; Mt 24:29; Mk 13:24; Rv 6:12; the converse is stated in Is 30:26). Since the moon resembles the sun, it also has the power to smite (Ps 121:6) and to influence the growth of crops in the field (Dt 33:14). In the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites were warned against worshiping the moon and the rest of the host of heaven (Dt 4:19; 17:3), but this foreign worship made its inroads into the Judean kingdom (2 Kgs 21:3; 23:4-5; Jer 7:18; 8:2).

Show passage in OET: PSA 136:9

OET-RV PSA 136:9

9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
⇔ because his loyal commitment continues forever.

OET-LV PSA 136:9

9 DOM the_moon and_stars for_dominion(s) in_night if/because is_forever loyalty _of_his _covenant.

Show passage in OET: JER 31:35

OET-RV JER 31:35

35 Yahweh says this:
⇔ I’m the one who gives the sun for light during the day,
⇔ ≈ and the moon and the stars for light at night.
⇔ He stirs up the ocean, so that its waves roar,
⇔ His name is Commander-in-chief Yahweh.

OET-LV JER 31:35

35 Thus YHWH who_gives the_sun for_light by _day the_fixed _order(s)_of the_moon and_the_stars for_light night who_stirs _up the_sea and_ waves _of_its _they _roared is_YHWH soldiers/messengers his/its_name he _says.

Show passage in OET: PSA 72:5

OET-RV PSA 72:5

5 May they honour you while the sun endures,
⇔ ≈ and as long as the moon lasts throughout all the generations.

OET-LV PSA 72:5

5 People_will _fear _you with the_sun and_before _of the_moon generation _of generations.

Show passage in OET: PSA 89:37–38

OET-RV PSA 89:37

37 It will be established forever like the moon,
⇔ the faithful witness in the sky.” (Instrumental break.)

OET-RV PSA 89:38

38 But you have refused and rejected—
⇔ you’ve been angry with your anointed king.

OET-LV PSA 89:38

38  Like_the_moon it _will _be _established forever and_a _witness in_cloud[s] which_is_reliable Şelāh.

OET-LV PSA 89:39

39  And_you(ms) you _have _spurned and_you _have _rejected you _have _been _furious with your _of_anointed.

Show passage in OET: ISA 13:10

OET-RV ISA 13:10

10 The stars in the sky and their constellations
⇔ won’t shine their light.
⇔ The sun coming out will be dark,
⇔ ≈ and the moon won’t be shining its light.

OET-LV ISA 13:10

10 If/because the _stars _of the_heavens and_constellations _of_their not they _will _flash _forth light _of_their the_sun it _will _be _dark in_his/its_coming _out and_the_moon not it _will _make _shine light _of_its.

Show passage in OET: EZE 32:7

OET-RV EZE 32:7

7 Then when I eliminate you, I’ll cover the heavens and darken their stars.
⇔ I’ll cover the sun with clouds, and the moon won’t shine its light.

OET-LV EZE 32:7

7 And_I _will _cover when_extinguish_you heavens and_I _will _darken DOM stars _of_their the_sun with_cloud I_will _cover _it and_the_moon not it _will _give _light light _of_its.

Show passage in OET: JOL 2:10

OET-RV JOL 2:10

⇔  10 The earth shakes as they approach.
⇔ ≈ The heavens tremble.
⇔ The sun and the moon become dark,
⇔ ≈ and the stars cease their shining.

OET-LV JOL 2:10

10 Before_it the_earth it _trembles the_heavens they _shake sun and_moon they _become _dark and_the_stars they _withdraw brightness _of_their.

Show passage in OET: HAB 3:11

OET-RV HAB 3:11

11 The sun and moon have stopped in their places
⇔ with the light from your arrows as they fly by,
⇔ yes, with the gleam of your flashing spear.

OET-LV HAB 3:11

11 Sun moon it _has _stood _still lofty _residence_(to)_a to_light _of arrows _of_your they _go to_brightness _of the _lightning _flash _of your _spear _of_your.

Show passage in OET: MAT 24:29

OET-RV MAT 24:29

29 “But immediately after that troubling time, the sun will go dark and the moon won’t shine. The stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly powers will be shaken.

OET-LV MAT 24:29

29 But immediately after the tribulation of_ the those _days:
the sun will _be _being _darkened and the moon ˓will˒_ not _be _giving the radiance of _it:
and the stars will _be _falling from the sky, and the powers of _the heavens will _be _being _shaken.

Show passage in OET: MRK 13:24

OET-RV MRK 13:24

24 “After those very difficult times, the sun will go dark and the moon won’t shine at night.

OET-LV MRK 13:24

24 But in those the days, after the that tribulation:
the sun will _be _being _darkened, and the moon ˓will˒_ not _be _giving the radiance of _it,

Show passage in OET: REV 6:12

OET-RV REV 6:12

12 When the lamb broke the sixth seal, there was a violent earthquake and the sun went black like black cloth, and the moon which was full, went red like blood.

OET-LV REV 6:12

12 And I _saw when he _opened _up the seal the sixth, and an_earthquake great there _became, and the sun became black as sackcloth hairy, and the moon whole became like blood,

Show passage in OET: PSA 121:6

OET-RV PSA 121:6

6 Now the sun won’t harm you during the day,
⇔ ≈ or the moon at night-time.

OET-LV PSA 121:6

6 By _day the_sun not it_will _strike _you and_the_moon in_night.

Show passage in OET: DEU 33:14

OET-RV DEU 33:14

14 with a plentiful harvest from the good sunshine,
⇔ ≈ and from the bounty of the produce of the seasons,

OET-LV DEU 33:14

14 And_from_the_excellent _gift _of the_produce(s)_of the_sun and_from_the_excellent _gift _of the_yield _of the_months.

Show passage in OET: DEU 4:19

OET-RV DEU 4:19

19 Don’t look up to the sky and be tempted to bow down to the sun or the moon or the stars and serve them—your god Yahweh made them to serve every people group in the world.

OET-LV DEU 4:19

19 And_lest you _should _lift _up eyes _of_your to_the_heavens and_you _will _see DOM the_sun and_DOM the_moon and_DOM the_stars all _of the _soldier/messenger _of the_heavens and_you _will _be _drawn _aside and_you _will _bow _down to/for_them and_you_will _serve _them which YHWH god _of_your he _has _assigned DOM_them to_all/each/any/every the_peoples under all _of the_heavens.

Show passage in OET: DEU 17:3

OET-RV DEU 17:3

3 and worshipped other gods, or the sun, moon, or stars—all of which I’ve prohibited you from doing,

OET-LV DEU 17:3

3 And_he/it _went and_he _has _served gods other and_he _has _bowed _down to/for_them and_to_sun or to_moon or to/from_all/each/any/every the _soldier/messenger _of the_heavens which not I _have _commanded.

Show passage in OET: KI2 21:3

OET-RV KI2 21:3

3 In fact he went backwards from his father and rebuilt the hilltop shrines that Hizkiyah (Hezekiah) had destroyed, and he made altars for Ba’al, and he made an Asherah pole, just like Yisrael’s (Israel’s) King Ahav had, and he worshipped the constellations and followed astrology.

OET-LV KI2 21:3

3 And_he _returned and_he/it _built DOM the _high_places which Ḩizqiy^yāh his/its_father he _had _destroyed and_he _set _up altars to_Baˊal and_he/it _made an _ʼAshērāh _pole just_as ʼAḩʼāⱱ the _king _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) he _had _done and_he _bowed _down to/from_all/each/any/every the _soldier/messenger _of the_heavens and_he _served DOM_them.

Show passage in OET: KI2 23:4–5

OET-RV KI2 23:4

4 Then the king commanded the high priest Hilkiyah and the other priests, and the temple guards to bring out all the utensils that were made for Ba’al and Asherah and for all the constellations, and he burnt them outside Yerushalem in the Kidron countryside, and carried their ashes to Beyt -El (Bethel).

OET-RV KI2 23:5

5 He got rid of the pagan priests that the kings of Yehudah had appointed to burn incense in the hilltop shrines around Yerushalem and across the rest of Yehudah, and the ones who burnt incense to Ba’al, and to the sun and moon and to the planets and constellations.

OET-LV KI2 23:4

4 And_ the_king _he/it _commanded DOM Ḩilqiy^yāh the_priest/officer (the)_great and_DOM the _priests _of the _second _rank and_DOM the _keepers _of the _threshold to_bring _out from_the _temple _of YHWH DOM all _of the_vessels which_were_made for_Baˊal and_for_ʼAshērāh and_to/for_all the _soldier/messenger _of the_heavens and_he_burnt _them from_the_outside of_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) in_the _fields _of Qidrōn and_he _carried DOM dust _of_their Bēyt- ^ʼēl.

OET-LV KI2 23:5

5 And_he _removed DOM the _pagan_priests whom the _kings _of Yəhūdāh/(Judah) they _had _appointed and_he _made _smoke at_places in_the _cities _of Yəhūdāh and_the _surroundings _of Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) and_DOM those_who_made _smoke to_Baˊal to_sun and_to_moon and_to_constellations and_to/for_all the _soldier/messenger _of the_heavens.

Show passage in OET: JER 7:18

OET-RV JER 7:18

18 The sons are gathering firewood, and the fathers are kindling the fire, and the women are kneading dough to make cakes for ‘the queen of the heavens’ and pouring out drink offerings for other gods so as to provoke me to anger.

OET-LV JER 7:18

18 The_children are_gathering wood(s) and_the_fathers are_kindling DOM the_fire and_the_women are_kneading dough for_doing cakes for_the _queen _of the_heavens and_they _are _pouring _out drink _offerings to_gods other so _as to_provoke _me _to _anger.

Show passage in OET: JER 8:2

OET-RV JER 8:2

2 Then they’ll spread them out under the sun, moon, and stars—the heavenly bodies that they loved and served, and that they followed after and searched for, and that they bowed down to. Those bones won’t be collected up, and they won’t be buried again. They’ll be like dung across the surface of the land.

OET-LV JER 8:2

2 And_they_will _spread _them _out to_sun and_to_moon and_to/for_all the _soldier/messenger _of the_heavens which they_loved _them and_which they_served _them and_which they _walked after_them and_which they_consulted _them and_which they _bowed _down to/for_them not they _will _be _gathered and_not they _will _be _buried (into)_dung on the _surface _of the_soil they _will _become.

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To keep an accurate control over the calendar and the feasts, the new moon was carefully observed seven times during the year in Jerusalem. This assured that the major feasts fell on the proper days. The Sanhedrin would gather early in the morning on the last day of the preceding month, and watchmen were posted to observe the moon’s first appearance. When the evidence became clear, the sacred word was pronounced and the day became the first of the new month. Fire signals beginning from the Mt of Olives announced the new moon; later they were replaced by messengers because the Samaritans had set up false signals along the way.