Page 25 - BV3

According to Scribner's Dictionary of the Bible (1898), "In the time of the earliest proph-
ets, the New Moon stood in the same line with ANOTHER LUNAR OBSERVANCE, THE SAB-
BATH. Ezekiel, who curiously enough frequently dates his prophecies on the New Moon (See Eze.
26:1; 29:17, 31:1, and 32:1) describes the gate of the inner court of the (new) temple looking east-
ward as kept shut for the six working days, but opened on the Sabbath and the New Moon"
(p.521).

We find that in the book of Ezekiel the prophet begins his book by dating it while he was
by the river Chebar in the 5th year of King Jehoiachin's captivity on the 5th day of the 4th month
(Ezekiel 1:1-2). He was commanded by God to go to the House of Israel and speak to them
(Ezekiel 3:4-5). Then, he sat before them seven days (verses 15-16) and, in chapter 4, God com-
manded Ezekiel to act out a prophecy concerning both Israel and Judah. Acting out this prophecy
required Ezekiel to lay on his left side for 390 days, then turn to his right side and lay on it for 40
days (Ezekiel 4:1-6). Upon completion of God's instructions, Ezekiel again dated his prophecy in
the 6th year, 6th month, and fifth day (Ezekiel 8:1) -- exactly one year and two months later.

Now if Ezekiel was using a purely solar calendar (such as we use today), this period of
time should have been 425 days or possibly 432 days if it was the 28th year when an extra week
was added. Adding up the days that Ezekiel counted (this does not include any travel time), we get
7+390+40=437 days.

With this number of days in this period of time, it is not possible for the calendar to be a
solar type -- as some people have proposed. Nor could it be a regular lunar/solar calendar year of
12 months. The only possibility is a lunar/solar calendar year that has the extra month added.
Adding up the time allowed in a 13-month year plus two months, gives us a period of time that
lasts 443 days plus or minus one or two days to correct for the variable number of 29 or 30-day
months. This agrees with Ezekiel's account of 437 days plus a few days of traveling time.

It is obvious from scripture, then, that the calendar of Israel during the time of the prophets
was a lunar/solar calendar of the type that incorporated weeks that were determined by the
phases of the moon. It is also beyond doubt that the lunar weekly cycle was not lost from the time
of the prophets to the time of Christ.

When the Dead Sea Scrolls were uncovered, the archaeologists found three manuscripts
dating to around the first century B.C. that had one purpose in common: to synchronize the 354-day
lunar calendar with the 364-day solar calendar. In addition, the archaeologists found that two of
these manuscripts -- 4Q320 and 4Q321 -- record the beginnings of the solar months and the festi-
vals. The third, 4Q321a, may have done so as well, but, unfortunately, the relevant portion of the
text has perished. All of these texts designate the name of the priestly rotation in service at the
temple in Jerusalem at the time in question. Twenty-four courses of priests served altogether -- ro-
tating into service for a week at a time. The names of these courses follow the Biblical list found
in I Chronicles 24:7-18.

Now in manuscript 4Q320 Mishmerot A (fragment 1, column 1) we find --

25