Overview
The Hebrew word hodesh literally means "new moon" or "month" and appears throughout the Old Testament to denote the lunar cycle that governed Israel's religious calendar. The new moon held ceremonial significance, marked by trumpet blasts and special sacrifices, serving as a boundary marker for festivals and holy days ordained by God.
Key Scriptures
"Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day" (Psalm 81:3, ESV). "And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day, throughout your generations, as a statute forever" (Exodus 12:17, ESV). "The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you'" (Exodus 12:1-2, NASB).
Application
Recognize how God's design of the lunar calendar reflects His sovereignty over time and demonstrates the importance of gathering for worship according to His established patterns.