GENESIS 1:14 EXAMINED
Declaring A New Year

March 24, 2007 | Revised March 25, 2007 | Written by Felicia A. Trecek.

DECLARING A NEW YEAR
There are many people within our religious circles who believe that the new year cannot be declared before or on the day of the vernal equinox in March. And, they base it on Genesis 1:14. So, let's look at Genesis 1:14 very closely. Does it mandate that a new year cannot begin before or on the day of the equinox? Does it tell us anything about an equinox? What does Genesis 1:14 actually say?

WHAT IS AN EQUINOX?
Firstly, what is an equinox? We need to clearly understand what an equinox is so we can look for it within Genesis 1:14.

Most of the time, the direction of the earth's rotation around its own axis, and the direction of its orbit around the sun, vary from one another. However, as the earth tilts backward and forward in its orbit, relative to the sun, these two angles coincide from time to time. It's like the earth's poles are exactly vertical. This event is known as an equinox, and happens twice a year, in March (the Vernal Equinox) and again in September (the Autumnal Equinox).

The word (equinox) itself is Latin for 'equal night' and refers to the fact that, on the equinox, day and night are of equal length. A moment after the vernal equinox, the earth continues it's northern hemisphere tilt position toward the sun. A moment after the autumnal equinox the northern hemisphere pole begins it's tilt away from the sun. Consequently; there are only two times within a full year that the day and night are equal in length.

GENESIS 1:14
"The Scriptures" book/bible reads;
"And Elohim said, 'Let lights come to be in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and appointed times, and for days and years.'"

From Green's Interlinear, Genesis 1:14 reads;
"And God said, Let luminaries be in the expanse of the heavens, to divide between the day and the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and for years."

All four; the signs, the seasons, the days, and the years, are all contingent upon the lights. My previous said statement is important to know and understand. We know this said statement is a fact due to the explicit statement within Genesis 1:14 where it reads, "...and let them be...". The word, "THEM" is plural and refers back to the lights. So, we have more than one light within the expanse that we use to determine signs, seasons, days, and years. (Although, the primary light is the sun.) The LIGHTS determine the said times. There isn't any word or phrase within Genesis 1:14 that demonstrates or mandates that we ought to use anything beyond the LIGHTS to determine the signs, seasons, days, and years. This is a fact and it needs to be clearly understood.

Now, let's look at the word SIGNS. The word "SIGNS" is translated from the Hebrew word, "oth" and is Strong's #226 meaning: "prob. from 225 (in the sense of appearing); a signal (lit. or fig.) as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.: -mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token."

As you continue to read; please make a mental note that this word, SIGNS is derived from the sense of APPEARING. And, remember it is contingent upon the LIGHT/S.

What exactly are these SIGNS? I deduce that the word SIGNS is not any particular stand-alone object or objects. But; rather the SIGNS indicate the presence or occurrence of something else by the means of the LIGHT. This is a paramount point. Genesis 1:14 explicitly states that the lights are FOR signs. We have to be able to SEE the signs by the means of the light. Hence; this rules-out mathematical calculations for any type of presence or occurrence. We must SEE the new moon, we must SEE the beginning of the year, we must SEE the seasons, we must SEE the difference between "day" vs. the night, etc. The signs are made visible by the means of the light. We cannot SEE the equinox event itself. The only way this would be possible is to be in outer-space looking back toward the earth and the sun.

THE MOON
Let's look at the second half of Genesis 1:14 again. It reads, "And Elohim said, 'Let lights come to be in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be FOR signs and seasons, and for days and years.'" These heavenly bodies that give-forth light are FOR signs, seasons, days and years. Years are mentioned. Days are mentioned. Seasons are mentioned. The moon doesn't emanate it's own light, but merely reflects the light of the sun. So, why isn't the moon mentioned since we use it to determine months?

The moon is actually within the LIGHTS category. Psalms 136:8-9 says that the moon and the stars are the "lights" that rule at night. Hence, the moon is a light and is within the LIGHT category. And, this light (the moon) WAS MADE FOR SIGNS.

The signs of the moon fit the description given above. The amount of light on the moon are signals, signs...etc. Some of the examples of signals and signs that the moon displays are: the beginning of months, the middle of the months, and the end of a months. Plus, the moon plays a role in determining YHWH's Holy days. The moon is a flag, a beacon, a monument, etc.

THE STARS
Some people think that we might see the equinox by the means of the stars. For example: the earth is in certain positions in relationship to the sun, moon and stars at certain times of the year. During the vernal equinox, we're presently in Pisces. I don't claim to know too much about astronomy. But, I do know that Pisces is slowly moving along the line of the Ecliptic towards Aquarius at a rate of about one degree every seventy years. I make this point because the stars - in relationship to the earth - are in transit to one degree or another. So, in Moses' day - during his time in history - the stars were in different positions in relationship to the earth compared to today.

Moreover, I don't know one star from another when I look into the sky. And, I rather doubt the majority of people do. So, I have a difficult time buying into the reasoning that we can SEE the equinox by the means of the stars. We can't. At least, the LIGHT does not literally shine upon it because it is a non-object. The two equinoxes are occurrences/events and can't be compared with the sun shining upon the moon. I can't see the earth itself in a straight-up position in relationship to the other astronomical bodies in space.

THE SEASONS
The seasons are contingent upon the sun because the LIGHT/S are FOR the seasons. The light/s determine the seasons.

Question: does the vernal equinox need to occur before the grass begins turning green, the buds begin to sprout-forth on the trees, the barley begins to grow toward maturity ...etc.? The answer is obviously, no. Here in Sacramento, California (2007) our fruit-trees budded a few weeks ago, the grass needed to be mowed, etc. This springing-up and budding-forth type situation began occurring a few weeks ago prior to the equinox here in Sacramento, California. So; the earths springing-forth type system doesn't necessarily and exactly "follow" the vernal equinox, but rather the sun's light intensity, sun's light duration each day and possibly the gravitational pull from the sun. Again; as stated explicitly within Genesis 1:14, the SEASONS are contingent solely upon the light and possibly the source of the light (the body of the sun) in the case of the gravitational pull. My main point is this: the Vernal Equinox is not some magical moment. I will elaborate more about this in a subsequent section.

The lights are FOR the seasons. So; I will be able to SEE the seasons. What can I see? I can see the AVIV (Abib) barley, I can see the grass grow, the trees bud-forth, etc. Deuteronomy 16:1 explicitly mandates that we OBSERVE the month of Abib. Other bible translations say to WATCH for Abib. Abib is a character of one of the seasons that I can SEE.

The character of AVIV (Abib) doesn't need to possess all of the spring-like conditions. This aspect of Aviv/Abib confuses people and reasonably so. But, to understand what Aviv/Abib is, you'll need to understand that certain types of agricultural crops and vegetation begin sprouting and growing soon after the winter solstice. Certain types of seeds begin to awaken from their dormancy shortly after the winter solstice when the earth's northern hemisphere pole begins to tilt back the other way - back toward the sun. This is the time - at the winter solstice - when days begin to grow longer in duration again, not at the moment of the Vernal Equinox. Additionally; because the earth's poles begin tilting back in the opposite direction again - specifically the northern hemisphere pole begins tlting toward the sun again a moment after the winter solstice, the sunlight intensity also begins to increase again.This causes a warming effect. These LIGHT conditions will signal certain types of seeds to germinate and begin growing. THEY GROW DURING THE COLD MONTHS - BEFORE THE VERNAL EQUINOX! And; when spring time approaches, most of these types of crops (which includes Barley) are just about to be in the FULL RIPE condition. This ALMOST RIPE condition is called AVIV or ABIB. Consequently; during the first biblical month of the year, there was a barley harvest. The fields were ready for harvesting. The seeds of Barley and other like crops don't remain dormant until springtime. If so, the fields of grain wouldn't be ready for a harvest the very first month of the biblical year. Reference the book of Ruth. Specifically read Ruth 1:6,22; 2:23.

The Hebrew word translated into our English word, SEASONS has more than one meaning. It can be likened a bit to the word, SIGNS. The word SEASONS can also mean, APPOINTED TIMES. These appointed times are appointments with YHWH. Both figuratively and literally speaking, these appointed times are illuminated by the light according to Genesis 1:14. The LIGHTS are FOR the appointed times.

YEARS
We determine years by two means: 1) number of months, and 2) seasons. There are essentially four types of seasons within one given year: spring, summer, fall, and winter. And, these four seasons usually (but not exclusive too) are within a 12 moon cycle rotation. Sometimes the 12 moon cycle is extended to become a 13 moon cycle because the seasons within it have been prolonged by a natural phenomenon. Because "time" appears to be flexible in terms of expandability and contractibility in terms of measuring a year, there isn't an exact measurement that determines the length of a year. Years vary in length.

Because of this said flexibility in the measurement of a year in time, we figuratively can say "time" isn't exacting. Literally, time is exacting since time is linear and it is continuous. But; when we attempt to confine it within measurements, we have difficulty. Some people argue - when measuring time - that it is exacting because of the recurring vernal equinoxes for example. Hence, does spring-time begin EXACTLY when the vernal equinox occurs? As I've already stated above, the answer is untrue. An equinox does not determine the beginning of a year. The recurring crescent moon during the time of Abib marks a new year. (Ex 12:2) We can use the equinoxes when performing mathematical calculations to determine secular calendars; however, mathematical calculations do not determine the seasons or the years. LIGHT determines the SEASONS AND THE YEARS according to Genesis 1:14.

DAYS
We understand that the sun shines light during the "day", then the sun disappears for a duration we call night. So, the light divides the "day" from the night. The light duration during each day can be measured throughout the year. Hence, we can figure-out when the equinoxes occur. So, alas! the equinoxes! The ancient peoples were smart enough to figure-out the equinoxes. Some cultures of people built structures honoring the equinox days. Because simple people like myself can measure the light duration of the day by the means of sticks and stones, does this mean that the Vernal Equinox is the start of a new year, every year? The answer is, no. The declaration of a new moon begins a new year based upon the condition of Abib. (Ref: Ex 12:2; 13:4; 23:15; 34:18; Deut 16:1)

IS AN EQUINOX MENTIONED ANYWHERE IN SCRIPTURE?

Some people might not be convinced yet that the Vernal Equinox doesn't begin a new year. So, I want to contrast the mandates that signal the observance of Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread against the mandates that signal the observance of Sukkot - the Feast of Booths/Ingathering.

Is the equinox mentioned anywhere in scripture? The answer is, it's possible. Read Exodus 23:16 and Exodus 34:22. Exodus 23:16 tells us to keep the Feast of Ingathering (at the) outgoing of the year. Exodus 34:22 tells us to keep the feast of Ingathering (at the) turn of the year. Both of these verses - within the Hebrew language and the translations thereof - directly indicate the Autumnal Equinox. But, this is not certain. It's merely speculative. Therefore, it appears that we are mandated to observe Sukkot - the Feast of Booths/Ingathering on or after the Autumnal Equinox.

If YHWH told us to keep and observe Sukkot - the Feast of Booths/Ingathering on or at the out-going of the year, on or at the turn of the year, then why didn't he tell us to keep and observe Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread on or at the turn of the year, or on or at the in-coming of the year? Any type of this said language is absent in all the mandates for the observance of Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.

The mandate signaling the beginning of the year and the observance of Passover is AVIV (Abib). No where are we commaned to observe Passover or the Feast of Unleavened Bread (at) the turn of the year. (Assuming this phrase; "turn of the year", refers to the equinox.) (Ref: Deut 16:1; Ex 12:2; 13:4; 23:15; 34:18). YHWH commanded us to watch for Abib and observe Passover within the month of Abib. And, Exodus 12:2 explicitly tells us that this month/moon (Abib) is the first of months/moons of the year.

LET'S PLAY A BIT

How can the equinox be or rather signal the beginning of a new year, but yet the declaration of the moon of Abib begin the new year also? We can't have two beginnings of a year within the same year. It's erroneous. I have heard it said that I have declared a new year within the old year. Have I?

When the new moon of Abib was declared on March 21, 2007, there were sufficiently twelve new moons before it. And, people are falsely assuming that the NEW year begins after the vernal equinox. (The Vernal Equinox this year, 2007 is on March 21.) Scripture is clear that a new year begins upon the declaration of the new moon of Abib (Ref: Ex 12:2). Therefore, you cannot have it both ways. On one hand you can't say that the new year begins after the vernal equinox occurs. Then; on the other hand, declare a new year upon seeing the new moon X amount of days later. Which is it? Does the vernal equinox begin/signal a new year, or does the new moon of Abib begin/signal a new year?

The following scenario is based upon the false notion that the NEW YEAR begins right after the vernal equinox. (This scenario is based upon my belief in a visible crescent new moon.)

HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO (Please note: the word "you" is general.)
If you say that I am taking days from the old year and trying to make them part of the new year, what about this: you are taking new year days - days after the vernal equinox - and casting them into the OLD year. So, if we choose to use this argument against one another, then I win. You can only claim that I am taking a mere few hours from the old year and casting them into the new year. But; you on the other hand, are taking 29 days of the new year and casting them back into the old year.

I hope that you (the reader) can see the point that I am trying to communicate: there is a flaw in the premise that I have declared a new year within the old year. If people adhere to their belief that BOTH the vernal equinox somehow begins/signals the new year and the first new moon afterwards begins the new year, then they truly have sandwiched days between the two events that are really in no-man's land sort of speak. Those days are not apart of any particular month. Again, they can't have it both ways.

CONCLUSION

The Vernal Equinox does not begin a new year or is it a signal for the observance of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The assumption that it does is not scriptural based, and it is false.

In the Judaica Encyclopedia, copyright 1971, under the heading, "Calendar" it states: "during temple times, in individual years, intercalation (adding an extra month to the old year making 13 months) was decided upon according to the agricultural conditions."

This year, 2007 Abib barley was found in Israel by two separate investigative teams during the month of March. Consequently, this year - 2007 does not require an additional month. Barley was the first grain harvest of each new year in ancient Israel. (Ref: Ruth 1:6,22; 2:23) And, the mandated sheaf within Lev 23 was from the barley fields. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a celebration of the first harvest, the beginning of the harvest/s. It's not a celebration of the equinox. Declaring a new year is not about the equinox, but rather the harvest.