What is the first month mentioned in the Bible?
Quick Summary
The first month mentioned in the Bible is not January. According to Scripture, the first month is called Abib (later known as Nisan), and it plays a central role in the story of Israel's redemption from Egypt. This month is a marker of freedom, covenant, and sacred memory. In this post, we’ll explore where it shows up, why it matters, and how it shaped the biblical calendar.
Abib: The First Month of the Biblical Calendar
The first time the Bible explicitly mentions a "first month" is in Exodus 12, just before the tenth plague falls on Egypt. God says to Moses and Aaron:
"This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you" (Exodus 12:2).
This declaration reorients Israel’s calendar around their liberation. I think of this as powerfully symbolic: after your redemption and salvation, you start over; you get a new beginning!
The Hebrew word for this month is Abib (pronounced AH-veev), meaning "ear of grain," because it corresponded with the spring barley harvest. After the Babylonian exile, the name Nisan replaced Abib, aligning with the Babylonian calendar.
This month was the backdrop of God’s redemptive action. Passover took place in Abib. The Exodus began in Abib. Each year, the calendar began with a reminder that God saves.
Key Mentions of the First Month in Scripture
Exodus 12:2 – God resets the calendar around the month of Israel’s deliverance.
Exodus 13:4 – Moses says, "Today, in the month of Abib, you are going out."
Exodus 23:15 and Exodus 34:18 – The Feast of Unleavened Bread is to be kept in Abib.
Deuteronomy 16:1 – Israel is commanded to observe the month of Abib and celebrate Passover.
Esther 3:7 – Mentions the month of Nisan during the time of the Persian empire.
The shift from Abib to Nisan shows how the Jewish people carried their sacred memory through centuries and into new cultural contexts. But the theological meaning stayed the same: God begins the year with freedom.
I remember being a student in college, being confused why the months were not consistent. After the Babylonian exile in 586 BC, during which the Jewish people were immersed in Babylonian culture and language, they took on the name of the corresponding month - Nisanu. The longer they were there, the more Aramaic became the common language.
So, in bible books written during or after the exile, like Nehemiah and Esther, we see the use of Nisan instead of Abib.
Why This Matters
Time in the Bible is rarely neutral. It’s often sacred. It points to something larger. The first month reminds us that God interrupts history. God sets captives free. God resets the calendar.
When Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples, it was during the month of Nisan. His crucifixion and resurrection happened within this holy season. In the same way that Israel was led out of bondage in Egypt, Christ leads us out of death and into life. The first month of the biblical year holds both memory and promise.
This is a window into how God marks time with meaning.
FAQ
What is Abib in the Bible?
Abib is the name of the first month in the Hebrew calendar. It means “ear of grain” and corresponds to the spring barley harvest. Abib is when the Exodus took place, and it became a central marker for Israel’s calendar.
Why did Abib change to Nisan?
After the Babylonian exile, Jewish communities adopted the Babylonian name Nisan, which matched the same time of year. The language and cultural influence of the Babylonians and Persians led to this shift, especially as Aramaic became more common.
Is Nisan still considered the first month?
Yes, Nisan remains the first month in the religious calendar used for festivals like Passover. However, in the civil calendar used in modern Israel, the year begins in the fall with Tishrei.
What month is Nisan on the modern calendar?
Nisan usually falls in March or April, depending on the year. It begins with the new moon closest to the spring equinox.
