Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The moon, as a celestial body created by God, holds significant symbolic and practical importance in the Bible. It is mentioned numerous times throughout Scripture, often in relation to the sun and stars, as part of the created order that declares the glory of God.Creation and Order: The moon is first mentioned in the creation account in Genesis. On the fourth day, God created the "two great lights" to govern the day and the night. Genesis 1:16 states, "God made two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars." Here, the moon is referred to as the "lesser light," serving to illuminate the night and to mark seasons, days, and years. Symbolism and Imagery: In biblical literature, the moon often symbolizes constancy and faithfulness. Psalm 89:37 speaks of the enduring nature of God's covenant, comparing it to the moon: "like the moon, established forever, a faithful witness in the sky." The moon's regular cycle and presence in the night sky serve as a metaphor for God's unchanging promises. Prophetic and Eschatological References: The moon is frequently mentioned in prophetic and eschatological contexts. In Joel 2:31 , the prophet speaks of the "Day of the LORD," when "the sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD." This imagery is echoed in the New Testament, in Revelation 6:12 , where the opening of the sixth seal results in a great earthquake, and "the whole moon turned blood red." Such descriptions emphasize the cosmic disturbances that will accompany the end times. Worship and Idolatry: The Bible also addresses the worship of the moon, which was prevalent among ancient Near Eastern cultures. Deuteronomy 4:19 warns the Israelites against idolatry, instructing them not to "be enticed to bow down to them and worship the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven." This prohibition underscores the importance of worshiping the Creator rather than the created. Lunar Calendar and Festivals: The moon plays a crucial role in the Hebrew calendar, which is lunar-based. Various Jewish festivals and holy days are determined by the phases of the moon. For instance, the Passover is celebrated on the 14th day of the first month, coinciding with the full moon. Numbers 28:14 mentions the offerings made at the beginning of each month, known as the New Moon festivals, which were times of worship and sacrifice. Light and Guidance: The moon's role as a source of light during the night is a recurring theme. In Psalm 136:9 , the psalmist praises God for His creation: "the moon and stars to govern the night. His loving devotion endures forever." The moon's light is a reminder of God's provision and care, guiding His people even in times of darkness. In summary, the moon in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol, representing God's creative power, faithfulness, and the order of the universe. It serves as a reminder of the divine covenant, a marker of sacred time, and a warning against idolatry, while also playing a significant role in the eschatological visions of the prophets. Smith's Bible Dictionary MoonThe moon held an important place in the kingdom of nature, as known to the Hebrews. Conjointly with the sun, it was appointed "for signs and for seasons, and for days and years;" though in this respect it exercised a more important influence, if by the "seasons" we understand the great religious festivals of the Jews, as is particularly stated in (Psalms 104:19) and more at length in Ecclus 43:6,7. The worship of the moon prevailed extensively among the nations of the East, and under a variety of aspects. It was one of the only two deities which commanded the reverence of all the Egyptians. The worship of the heavenly bodies is referred to in (Job 31:26,27) and Moses directly warns the Jews against it. (4:19) In the figurative language of Scripture, the moon is frequently noticed as presaging events of the greatest importance through the temporary or permanent withdrawal of its light. (Isaiah 13:10; Joel 2:31; Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24) ATS Bible Dictionary MoonThis beautiful and stately ruler of the night, Genesis 1:16, is one of the chief witnesses to mankind of the goodness, wisdom, and power of the Creator, Psalm 8:3; and as receiving all its light from the sun, and reflecting it on all around, it is a striking image of the church of Christ. In the clear sky of the East, the moon shines with peculiar brilliancy; and it was worshipped by most nations of antiquity, either directly, or as an idol-goddess under the name of Ashtoreth, Artemis, Diana, Hecate, Meni, Mylitta, Maja, etc. The Hebrews were specially cautioned against this form of idolatry, De 4:19 17:3; and yet fell into it; 2 Kings 21:3 Isaiah 65:11 Jeremiah 7:18 8:2:19:13 44:17-25. See LUNATIC and NEW MOON. Easton's Bible Dictionary Hebrews yareah, from its paleness (Ezra 6:15), and lebanah, the "white" (Cant. 6:10; Isaiah 24:23), was appointed by the Creator to be with the sun "for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years" (Genesis 1:14-16). A lunation was among the Jews the period of a month, and several of their festivals were held on the day of the new moon. It is frequently referred to along with the sun (Joshua 10:12; Psalm 72:5, 7, 17; 89:36, 37; Ecclesiastes 12:2; Isaiah 24:23, etc.), and also by itself (Psalm 8:3; 121:6).The great brilliance of the moon in Eastern countries led to its being early an object of idolatrous worship (Deuteronomy 4:19; 17:3; Job 31:26), a form of idolatry against which the Jews were warned (Deuteronomy 4:19; 17:3). They, however, fell into this idolatry, and offered incense (2 Kings 23:5; Jeremiah 8:2), and also cakes of honey, to the moon (Jeremiah 7:18; 44:17-19, 25). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The celestial orb which revolves round the earth; the satellite of the earth; a secondary planet, whose light, borrowed from the sun, is reflected to the earth, and serves to dispel the darkness of night. The diameter of the moon is 2,160 miles, its mean distance from the earth is 240,000 miles, and its mass is one eightieth that of the earth. See Month.2. (n.) A secondary planet, or satellite, revolving about any member of the solar system; as, the moons of Jupiter or Saturn. 3. (n.) The time occupied by the moon in making one revolution in her orbit; a month. 4. (n.) A crescent like outwork. See Half-moon. 5. (v. t.) To expose to the rays of the moon. 6. (v. i.) To act if moonstruck; to wander or gaze about in an abstracted manner. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia MOONmoon (yareach; meaning obscure-probably "wanderer"; by some given as "paleness"; selene): The moon was very early worshipped by the nations of the Far East as a divinity or the representative of one or more deities. These deities were both masculine and feminine. In Assyria and Babylonia the most common name for the moon-god was Sin or Sen. In Babylonia he was also called Aku and Nannara. In Egypt the moon was representative of several deities, all masculine. The chief of these was Thoth the god of knowledge, so called because the moon was the measurer of time. Babylonia has, also, Aa, the goddess of the moon, as the consort of the sun, while her equivalent was known in Phoenicia as Ashtaroth-karnaim. This personification and worship of the moon among the nations who were neighbors to Palestine was but part of an elaborate Nature-worship found among these people. Nor was this worship always separated from Palestine by geographical lines. It crept into the thought and customs of the Hebrews and in a sense affected their religious conceptions and ceremonies. They fell into the habit of making direct homage to sun, moon and stars, as is evidenced by Job 31:26, 27 Jeremiah 44:17, and even Isaiah 8:18 (see CRESCENTS). Moses seems to have forewarned his people against the danger of this form of worship (Deuteronomy 4:19). MOON, NEW See ASTROLOGY, sec. I, 6; ASTRONOMY, sec. I, 3, (1); FASTS AND FEASTS. NEW MOON See MOON, NEW; FASTS AND FEASTS. Greek 4582. selene -- the moon ... the moon. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: selene Phonetic Spelling: (sel-ay'-nay) Short Definition: the moon Definition: the moon. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4582.htm - 6k 3561. noumenia -- new moon. 3501a. neomenia -- a new moon 4583. seleniazomai -- to be moonstruck, spec. be epileptic ... 3501. neos -- a new moon Strong's Hebrew 3842. lebanah -- moon... 3841, 3842. lebanah. 3843 . moon. Transliteration: lebanah Phonetic Spelling: (leb-aw-naw') Short Definition: moon. Word Origin ... /hebrew/3842.htm - 6k 3394. yareach -- moon 2320. chodesh -- new moon, a month 3677. kese -- full moon 7720. saharon -- moon, crescent 3391. yerach -- month 6759. Tsalmunna -- a king of Midian 4301. matmon -- hidden treasure, treasure 529. emun -- faithfulness 3386. Yaroach -- a Gadite Library The Light of the Moon from the Sun; the Inconvenience of the ... Influence of the Moon and Stars on Men. The Moon's Age Set Forth in the Julian Calendar. ... Of the Sun and Moon. Moon-Light. On the Eclipse of the Moon. July 30, 1776 The Harvest Moon Illusive Appearance of the Moon. The Moon Hath Risen on High, The Moon's Increase and Wane; the Manich??an Trifling Respecting ... Thesaurus Moon (70 Occurrences)... 16). A lunation was among the Jews the period of a month, and several of their festivals were held on the day of the new moon. It ... /m/moon.htm - 36k New-moon (4 Occurrences) Moon-ornaments (2 Occurrences) Moon's (1 Occurrence) Month (197 Occurrences) Ur (5 Occurrences) Eclipse Astoreth Astarte (2 Occurrences) Easter (1 Occurrence) Resources Why does the Bible describe the moon as a light? | GotQuestions.orgIs there any significance to a full moon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What was the significance of the new moon in Bible times? | GotQuestions.org Moon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Moon (70 Occurrences)Matthew 24:29 Mark 13:24 Luke 21:25 Acts 2:20 1 Corinthians 15:41 Colossians 2:16 Revelation 6:12 Revelation 8:12 Revelation 12:1 Revelation 21:23 Genesis 37:9 Exodus 19:1 Numbers 10:10 Numbers 28:14 Numbers 29:6 Deuteronomy 4:19 Deuteronomy 17:3 Deuteronomy 33:14 Joshua 10:12 Joshua 10:13 1 Samuel 20:5 1 Samuel 20:18 1 Samuel 20:24 1 Samuel 20:27 1 Samuel 20:34 2 Kings 4:23 2 Kings 23:5 1 Chronicles 23:31 2 Chronicles 8:13 Ezra 3:5 Nehemiah 10:33 Job 25:5 Job 26:9 Job 31:26 Psalms 8:3 Psalms 72:5 Psalms 72:7 Psalms 74:16 Psalms 81:3 Psalms 89:37 Psalms 104:19 Psalms 121:6 Psalms 136:9 Psalms 148:3 Proverbs 7:20 Ecclesiastes 12:2 Song of Songs 6:10 Isaiah 1:13 Isaiah 1:14 Isaiah 3:18 Isaiah 13:10 Isaiah 24:23 Isaiah 30:26 Isaiah 58:13 Isaiah 60:19 Isaiah 60:20 Isaiah 66:23 Jeremiah 8:2 Jeremiah 31:35 Ezekiel 32:7 Ezekiel 46:1 Ezekiel 46:6 Hosea 2:11 Hosea 5:7 Joel 2:10 Joel 2:31 Joel 3:15 Amos 8:5 Habakkuk 3:10 Habakkuk 3:11 Subtopics Moon: Feast of the New Moon: Traffic at the Time of, Prohibited Moon: Joseph's Dream Concerning The Moon of Changeableness of the World The Moon of Fairness of the Church The Moon of Glory of Christ in the Church The Moon: (Becoming Blood) of Judgments The Moon: (Withdrawing Her Light) Deep Calamities The Moon: Appointed by an Ordinance for Ever The Moon: Appointed for a Light in the Firmament The Moon: Appointed for Signs and Seasons The Moon: Appointed for the Benefit of All The Moon: Appointed: To Divide Day from Night The Moon: Appointed: To Light the Earth by Night The Moon: Appointed: To Rule the Night The Moon: Called the Lesser Light The Moon: First Appearance of, a Time of Festivity The Moon: Has a Glory of Its Own The Moon: Influences Vegetation The Moon: Lunacy Attributed to the Influence of The Moon: Miracles Connected With: Signs In, Before the Destruction of Jerusalem The Moon: Miracles Connected With: Standing Still in Ajalon The Moon: Worshipped As the Queen of Heaven The Moon: Worshipping of Condemned As Atheism The Moon: Worshipping of Forbidden to the Jews The Moon: Worshipping of Jews often Guilty of The Moon: Worshipping of Jews Punished For The Moon: Worshipping of To be Punished With Death Related Terms Moon-ornaments (2 Occurrences) |
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