The term "autumnal" refers to the season of autumn, also known as fall, which is characterized by the transition from summer to winter. In the context of the Bible, autumn is a time of harvest and preparation for the coming colder months. Although the Bible does not explicitly use the term "autumnal," the season is implicitly referenced through various agricultural and harvest-related passages.

Biblical Significance of Autumn

1. Harvest Time: Autumn is traditionally associated with the harvest, a time of gathering crops that have matured over the summer. This season is significant in the biblical narrative as it symbolizes God's provision and faithfulness. In the Old Testament, the Feast of Ingathering, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot, occurs during this time. It is a celebration of the harvest and a time to give thanks to God for His blessings. Exodus 23:16 states, "You are to celebrate the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field."

2. Symbolism of Change and Preparation: Autumn represents a period of change and preparation. As leaves change color and fall, it is a reminder of the cycles of life and the need to prepare for the future. This can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual readiness and the importance of being prepared for the coming of the Lord. Proverbs 6:6-8 uses the ant as an example of preparation: "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer; she gathers her food in harvest."

3. Reflection and Thanksgiving: The autumnal season is a time for reflection and thanksgiving, acknowledging God's provision and care. The act of giving thanks is deeply rooted in biblical tradition, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 : "Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

4. Judgment and Renewal: Autumn can also symbolize judgment and renewal. The process of harvesting involves separating the wheat from the chaff, a metaphor used in the Bible to describe God's judgment. Matthew 3:12 speaks of this separation: "His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." This imagery underscores the themes of purification and renewal that accompany the autumnal season.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, the agricultural calendar was central to daily life and religious observance. The autumnal harvest was a critical time for the community, as it ensured sustenance for the coming year. The biblical feasts and festivals that coincide with this season highlight the importance of gratitude and reliance on God's provision.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention the term "autumnal," the themes and events associated with the autumn season are woven throughout Scripture. The harvest, preparation, thanksgiving, and judgment are all significant aspects of this time, reflecting both the physical and spiritual dimensions of life as understood in the biblical worldview.1. (a.) Past the middle of a lifetime; pertaining to the fall season; as, autumnal fruits; autumnal plants.

2. (a.) Past the middle of life; in the third stage.

5352. phthinoporinos -- autumnal
... autumnal. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: phthinoporinos Phonetic Spelling:
(fthin-op-o-ree-nos') Short Definition: autumnal Definition: autumnal, in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5352.htm - 6k

3703. opora -- late summer, ripe fruits
... summer, ripe fruits. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: opora Phonetic
Spelling: (op-o'-rah) Short Definition: autumn, autumnal fruits Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3703.htm - 6k

4406. proimos -- early rain, early crops.
... early rain, early crops. From proi; dawning, ie (by analogy) autumnal (showering,
the first of the rainy season) -- early. see GREEK proi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4406.htm - 6k

2756. Chariph -- an Israelite
... NASB Word Usage Hariph (2). Hariph. From charaph.; autumnal; Chariph, the name of
two Israelites -- Hariph. see HEBREW charaph. 2755, 2756. Chariph. 2757 . ...
/hebrew/2756.htm - 6k

3138. yoreh -- the early rain
... first rain, former rain. Active participle of yarah; sprinkling; hence, a sprinkling
(or autumnal showers) -- first rain, former (rain). see HEBREW yarah. ...
/hebrew/3138.htm - 6k

But this Aristobulus Also Adds, that for the Feast of the Passover ...
... For as there are two equinoctial segments, the vernal and the autumnal, and these
diametrically opposite to each other, and since the day of the Passover is ...
/.../section iv but this aristobulus.htm

The Distinguished Ecclesiastics of Our Day, and which of them ...
... 18. For as there are two equinoctial segments, the vernal and the autumnal, directly
opposite each other, and as the day of the passover was appointed on the ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxxii the distinguished ecclesiastics of.htm

Useful Phrases
... authoritative critic. autobiographical pages. autocratic power. automatic termination.
autumnal skies. auxiliary aids. available data. avaricious eyes. avenging ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section i useful phrases.htm

All the Bells were Ringing the Angelus. ...
... towers which crown the ancient city of Rouen, the sacred chime pealed forth melodiously,
floating with sweet and variable tone far up into the warm autumnal air ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/i all the bells were.htm

This Cycle of Nineteen Years is not Approved of by Certain African ...
... down that this is to be seen to, viz., that the Passover be not celebrated before
the transit of the vernal equinox, at which the last of the autumnal term is ...
/.../the paschal canon of anatolius of alexandria/section xv this cycle of.htm

Furthermore, as to the Proposal Subjoined to Your Epistle...
... And, again, the twelve hours which should be fulfilled at the autumnal equinox in
the sun's descent, should be found disjoined on the sixth before the Kalends ...
/.../the paschal canon of anatolius of alexandria/section xvi furthermore as to.htm

Last Journey of Jesus to Jerusalem.
... Galilee. The feast of Tabernacles fell at the autumnal equinox. Six months
still had to elapse before the fatal denouement. But ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter xxi last journey of.htm

The Destruction of Babylon.
... And the autumnal fruit of thine appetite's desire is departed from thee, and all
things dainty and sumptuous are destroyed from thee, and thou wilt find them ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the destruction of babylon.htm

"In the Uttermost Parts of the Sea"
... Once again the green meadows and autumnal-tinted woods of the sailor's home lay
around him, bathed in quiet sunshine; the stork's nest was empty, but the ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/in the uttermost parts of.htm

The Secret of Tranquillity
... 'I have been young, and now am old,' says the writer of this psalm. Its whole
tone speaks the ripened wisdom and autumnal calm of age. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the secret of tranquillity.htm

Autumnal (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Past the middle of a lifetime; pertaining to the
fall season; as, autumnal fruits; autumnal plants. ...Autumnal (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/autumnal.htm - 6k

Autumn (8 Occurrences)
... Astronomically, it begins in the northern temperate zone at the autumnal equinox,
about September 23, and ends at the winter solstice, about December 23; but ...
/a/autumn.htm - 9k

Year (4027 Occurrences)
... time of the vernal equinox, with the month Abib; and (2) according to a civil calendar,
in which the year began about the time of the autumnal equinox, with ...
/y/year.htm - 26k

Land (19790 Occurrences)
... it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if each of them claimed this country;
for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men's ...
/l/land.htm - 21k

Genneseret
... it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if each of them claimed this country;
for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men's ...
/g/genneseret.htm - 9k

Gennesaret (3 Occurrences)
... it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if each of them claimed this country;
for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men's ...
/g/gennesaret.htm - 11k

Waterless (7 Occurrences)
... craggy rocks; feasting together with you, without fear shepherding themselves; clouds
without water, by winds carried about; trees autumnal, without fruit ...
/w/waterless.htm - 8k

Fruitless (4 Occurrences)
... craggy rocks; feasting together with you, without fear shepherding themselves; clouds
without water, by winds carried about; trees autumnal, without fruit ...
/f/fruitless.htm - 7k

Feasting (39 Occurrences)
... in your love-feasts, feasting together with you without fear, pasturing themselves;
clouds without water, carried along by the winds; autumnal trees, without ...
/f/feasting.htm - 19k

Trumpets (52 Occurrences)
... Year never succeeded in becoming a specially recognized feast, and to Jewish ears
"New Year's Day" (ro'sh ha-shanah) invariably signifies an autumnal festival. ...
/t/trumpets.htm - 32k

Autumnal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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