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A Lunar-Based Sabbath In

Biblical Texts

James D. Dwyer

The religious calendar adhered to by Jews of the late Second-Temple Era is rather well
outlined in the writings of the priest-historian Josephus. Throughout his document entitled Antiqui-
ties of the Jews it is very clear that the 7th day was significant in the regard of being the Jewish
Sabbath. On the 7th day ordinary occupation ceased, and additional Temple sacrifices were of-
fered. (Refer to Book 1, 1:1; Book 3, 6:6; Book 3, 10:1; etc.; etc.).

Even though the special observance of the 7th Day (or Sabbath) is amply shown in Antiq-
uities, most passages which refer to the Sabbath do not make it clear that the 7th days (or Sab-
baths) were celebrated in association with the lunar-week-unit. Certain passages from
Antiquities, however, do seem to show that Sabbath time was observed in association with the
lunar circuit. As an example, the following passage seems to illustrate that the 7th Day (or Sab-
bath) was celebrated in some-kind-of chronological association with the celebration of the new
moon:

"...the seventh day [requires additional sacrifices] ...and at the new moon, [yet additional
sacrifices are required]." (Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus, Book 3, Chapter 10:1).

Another example from the writings of Josephus which alludes to some kind of chronologi-
cal association between a celebration held at the time of the 7th Day (or Sabbath) and a celebra-
tion held at the time of the New Moon can be recited from Wars of the Jews -- as follows:

"The high priest [officiated] ...on the seventh days and new moons..." (Wars of the Jews,
Josephus, Book 5, Chapter 5:7).

As is further shown throughout the subsequent paragraphs and sections of this article, the
meaning of certain early Jewish documents (in their original language texts) seems to confirm that
Jews under the Second-Temple might have once celebrated the 7th Day Sabbath in association
with the lunar-cycle.

A compilation of calendar information from the earliest Jewish sources (especially from
biblical sources) ultimately leads to the somewhat startling recognition that the primal Jewish
definition of the week was strangely different from the modern Jewish definition of the week.

The Temple Priesthood

By the First Century CE, it is apparent that many of the Jews were generally dissatisfied
with the Temple priesthood. Confusion seems to have abounded concerning the legitimacy of those
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