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A Unique Lunar-Based

Calendar

James D. Dwyer

In the context of very early Christian history, it is surprising to discover that Sabbath time
corresponds with a very formalized circuit (a formal lunar-based cycle containing some very spe-
cific calendar terms).

Clement of Alexandria (of the Second Century) specifically noted a lunar-based celebra-
tion. (This lunar-based celebration was also seemingly observed by the early Christians). He
wrote:

[Peter] inferred thus: "Neither worship as [some] Jews… [for] if the moon be not visible,
they do not hold the Sabbath, which is called the first; nor do they hold the new moon… "
(The Stromata, or Miscellanies, Chapter 5).

Clement quoted a 'Sabbath, which is called the first' and this festival date is noted to have
corresponded to the lunar cycle. This respective Sabbath interval (called the 'first') is of special
interest because in seven New Testament verses a seemingly similar Sabbath date can be cited.

The formal lunar circuit -- as it was understood and counted during the Temple Era -- is
somewhat complex; and consequently, some of the early used references and definitions are a bit
difficult to translate into modern terms.

A modern equivalence is perhaps easier to make through an analysis of the early used Ro-
man Calendar. This calendar was originally lunar based (with the full-phase of the Moon appear-
ing at mid-month). In this lunar calendar, the last days of the Moon (in the waning phases) were
counted backward to the beginning of the next month. Thus, the middle of the month (or the point of
the full-phase of the Moon) was specially reckoned and this epoch seems to have had a certain
special significance throughout the ancient world.

In particular, the point of the mid-month marked the beginning of the waning cycle of the
Moon, when perceptually an opposite, or a reverse of the month was reached.

A very good example of the peculiar significance of this reverse of the lunar month can be
recited from Scroll 4Q317 (as reconstructed by J. Milik).

This scroll shows a repeating 14 stage progression (from waning in 14 stages, to waxing in
14 stages, to waning in 14 stages, and so on). These specific 14 stages of the lunar cycle appear
chronologically on the scroll -- as follows:

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