Months of the year in the Biblical Period |
|
Month (Numerical) |
Month (Biblical/ Babylonian) |
Secular Month Names |
Derived from / Meaning |
First |
Nisan/Abib |
March – April |
From Latin Mars/Martius. Mars is the Roman god of war, identified as the Greek god Ares. |
Second |
Iyyar/Ziv |
April – May |
From Latin Aprilis, Greek Aphro – short for Aphrodite. Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and beauty, identified with Roman goddess Venus. |
Third |
Sivan |
May – June |
From Latin Maius/Maia, Italic goddess of spring, daughter of Faunus, wife of Vulcan. |
Fourth |
Tammuz |
June – July |
From Latin Junius/Juno, principle goddess Roman Pantheon, goddess of marriage – well being of women. Wife/sister of Jupiter – identified as Greek goddess Hera. |
Fifth |
Av |
July – August |
From Latin Julius mensis (month of Julius). Previously Quintillis mensis (fifth month), but later named after himself, Julius Caesar in 46BC when he reformed the Roman calendar. |
Sixth |
Elul |
August – September |
From Latin Augustus mensis (month of Augustus). Previously Sextilis mensis (sixth month), but later named after himself, Augustus Caesar when he completed the calendar reform of Julius caesar. |
Seventh |
Tishri/Ethahim |
September – October |
From Latin Septem(seven) +”ber”. Previously had 29 days, until of Julius caesar, when it became 30 days long. |
Eigth |
Kheshvan/Bul |
October – Nov |
From Latin Octo(eight) +”ber”. Always had 31 days. |
Ninth |
Kislev |
Nov – December |
From Latin November. Previously had 29 days, until of Julius caesar, when it became 30 days long. |
Tenth |
Tevet |
December – January |
From Latin Decem(ten) +”ber”. Previously had 29 days, until of Julius caesar, when it became 31 days long. |
Eleventh |
Shebat |
January – February |
From Latin Januarius/Janus.Janus is the Roman god of gates/doorways. Added in 700BC. Previously had 29 days, until of Julius caesar, when it became 31 days long. |
Twelfth |
Adar |
February – March |
From Latin Februarius/Februa. Februa is the Roman festival of purification. |