Did You Know? - How were years and months were determined in Bible times?

 On one occasion, both David and Jonathan referred to a month, saying: 'Tomorrow is the new moon." (1 Samuel 20:5, 18)  So it seems tht by the 11th century B.C.E., the months were calculated in advance. How would the average Israelte be able to determine  when a new month started?  The MIshnah, a compilation of Jewish oral law and tradition, proveds some information.  It indicates that in postexilic times, the Sanhedrin ( the Jewish high court) was involved. During the seven months in which festvals were held, the court met on the 30th day of the month.  Those men were responisble for determining when the next month would begin. On what basis?

Men who were posted at vantage points around Jerusalem watched the night sky for the first sliver of a new moon. They would quickly alert the Sanhedrin.  When the group in this court felt that they had sufficient testimony that a new moon  had been sighted, the announced the start of a new month. What, though, if clouds or fog obscured the watchmen's view, preventing them from seeing the crescent of the new moon?  The month then in progress was declared to have 30 days, and the new moon would begin.

Next time: Did You Know? How were the years and months determined in Bible times? - Conclusion