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The Hebrew Months

Month NumberOrdinal NameKnown Biblical NameMeaning of NameSeasonApprox. Gregorian TimeScriptural Notes
1First MonthAviv (Aviyv)“Fresh ears (of grain)”Early SpringMarch–AprilShemoth (Exodus) 12:2, 13:4;
–
Vayiqra (Leviticus) 23:5 (Pesach & Matstsah)
2Second MonthZivMeans “radiance” or “light”; corresponds to IyarMid–SpringApril–May1st Melekiym (Kings) 6:1
–
Bemidbar (Numbers) 1:1
3Third Month(None)—Late SpringMay–JuneShemoth (Exodus) 19:1 (Shavuot given in this month)
4Fourth Month(None)—Early SummerJune–JulyYirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 39:2 refers to the breach of Jerusalem in this month
5Fifth Month(None)—Mid–SummerJuly–AugustZakaryahu (Zechariah) 7:3 (fast of fifth month)
6Sixth Month(None)—Late SummerAugust–SeptemberChaggai (Haggai) 1:1
7Seventh MonthEythaniym“Flowing streams” or “perennial waters”Early FallSeptember–October1 Melekiym (1 Kings) 8:2 – Feast of Sukkot
8Eighth MonthBul“Produce” or “Rain”Mid–FallOctober–November1 Melekiym (1 Kings) 6:38
9Ninth Month(None)—Late FallNovember–DecemberEzra 10:9
10Tenth Month(None)—Early WinterDecember–JanuaryEster (Esther) 2:16 (later called Teveth post-exile)
11Eleventh Month(None)—Mid–WinterJanuary–FebruaryDevariym (Deuteronomy) 1:3
12Twelfth Month(None)—Late WinterFebruary–MarchEster (Esther) 3:7
13Intercalated Month(None)—Used as neededAdjusts for Aviv barleyNot named in Scripture; added when needed to keep Aviyv in spring

In Scripture, the original names of the months (before the Babylonian exile) are typically referred to by their number (e.g., “first month,” “second month”) or by a few specific names found in the Torah and early historical books. After the Babylonian exile, Hebrew culture adopted Babylonian month names, many of which are still used today (like Nisan, Tammuz, etc.).

Below are the non-Babylonian month names found in the Bible (pre-exile), along with their corresponding month numbers:

Original (Pre-Exilic) Hebrew Month Names:

Month NumberHebrew NameReferenceNotes
1stAviyv (Abib)Shemoth (Exodus) 13:4 , 23:15 , 34:18 , Devariym (Deuteronomy) 16:1Means “green ears” or “spring”; the beginning of the year in Yahuah’s calendar
2nd Ziv (Zif)1 Melakiym (1 Kings) 6:1 , 6:37Means “radiance” or “light”; corresponds to Iyar
3rd(no specific name in early texts)—Later called Sivan (Babylonian)
4th(no specific name)—Later called Tammuz (Babylonian)
5th(no specific name)—Later called Av (Babylonian)
6th(no specific name)—Later called Elul (Babylonian)
7thEythaniym (Ethanim)1 Melakiym (1 Kings) 8:2Means “ever-flowing” or “strong”; corresponds to Tishri
8thBul1 Melakiym (1 Kings) 6:38May mean “produce” or “rain”; corresponds to Heshvan
9th to 12th(no specific names)—Usually referred to only by number or later Babylonian names

Babylonian Names (Post-Exilic):

These were adopted during or after the Babylonian exile (see Nechemyah and Esther).

Hebrew MonthBabylonian Name
1stNisan
2ndIyar
3rdSivan
4thTammuz
5thAv
6thElul
7thTishrei
8thCheshvan (Heshvan)
9thKislev
10thTevet
11thShevat
12thAdar (Adar II in leap years)

Summary:

Only Aviyv, Ziv, Eythaniym, and Bul are original month names mentioned before the Babylonian influence. All other months in the Hebrew calendar were numbered or left unnamed until later usage of Babylonian names.