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These two respective large Sabbath intervals (which would have reoccurred at the lunar-
half-cycle) seem to have been specially celebrated (perhaps as a renewal in counting the lunar-
cycle).
"Among the Phoenicians the new moon and the full moon were the chief days of sacri-
fice..." (Britannica, 1972, Sabbath).
"[A Temple sacrifice is required]...on the seventh day...[and at] the new moon." (Antiqui-
ties of the Jews, by Josephus, Book 3, Chapter 10:1).
"The high priest [officiated]...on the seventh days and new moons..." (Wars Of The Jews,
by Josephus, Book 5, Chapter 5:7).
If a special lunar-based festival was celebrated twice in each moon-cycle, then the respec-
tive renewal festival (at the half-lunar-cycle) would inherently have occurred exactly alternate to
each of the 7th-days.
In comparing the syntax usage of all the early-used Greek terms for the occurrence of the
Sabbath, it is possible to recognize a conformity in the usage of the word "Sabbatwn" (which is a
plural form of Sabbath time).
The somewhat unusual referral to plural Sabbath time (or "Sabbatwn") seems -- in many
instances of usage -- to relate to the above cited enlarged Sabbath interval -- or to a 14th stage of
the lunar cycle. An example of a referral to an enlarged Sabbath (one which appeared at a 14th
stage of the lunar-cycle) can seemingly be found in the New Testament Book of Colossians -- as
follows:
"[Christian converts have their own part]...in respect of an Holyday, ...the new moon,
[and]...the 'Sabbatwn' " (Colossians, 3:16).
The festival at "Sabbatwn", as noted in the Book of Colossians above, must have routinely
reoccurred in each lunar-cycle (by inference). The extended Sabbath (a plural form of Sabbath)
would probably have occurred at one-half of the lunar-cycle (alternate to the new month).
It is thus evident from certain early literature that each half of the lunar cycle was distinct.
Throughout half of the lunar-cycle, a special weekly feast was perceptually held in association
with the time of "the Sabbaths" (or "Sabbatwn"). An example of this half-cycle distinction can be
perhaps be found in the Septuagint version of Ezekiel, Chapter 46:1. Here, entrance to the Temple
was allowed on the "day of Sabbatwn" and the "day of Noumhnias".
Scroll 4Q317 of the Dead Sea Scrolls additionally shows the occurrence of "Echd
B+Shbt" (or literally, "the 1 of the Sabbath") in correspondence with the waxing and waning
halves of the Moon. This peculiar reoccurring date, "the 1 to the Sabbath", is oddly shown to re-
appear in seeming correspondence to a span of time 14½ days in length (specifically in correspon-
dence with the time of the lunar-cycle phase change).
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