Did You Know?

 How were years and months determined in Bible times?

FOR the Hebrews in the Promised Land, the secular year began with plowing and sowinfg which occurred in w hat is now September/October.

 A lunar calendar of 12 months  (consisting of 29 or 30 days each) results in a year tha tis shorter than a true solar year.  Various methods have been used to align the two. This can be done by adding extra days or by periodically inserting an additional month, perhaps before the start of the next year. Such a system coorinates the calendar with the seasons when crops are planted or harvested.

In Moses' tiome, however. God told his people that hte religious year was to begin with the month of Abib, or Nisan, in the spring. (Exodus 12:2; 13:14) A festival that took place in this month involved  the barley harvest. - Exodus 232:15, 16.

Next time: Do You Know?  How were years and months determine in Bible times? -Continued

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