New Moon: Crescent Moon or Full Moon?

This is an important issue because we determine when a Biblical month begins by a new moon as commanded in the scriptures. There is a controversy among some as to which is a new moon, a crescent moon or a full moon. The one method is that after the conjunction the first light of the moon is the new moon. The other method is that the full moon is seen as the new moon. This question's answer is in the meaning of new moon and in the historical evidence that we have pertaining to the new moon.

The Hebrew word "codesh" is translated in the KJV 254 times as "month", 20 times as "new moon", once as "monthly", and once as "another". Codesh is Strong's number 2320 which means the new moon. The root of Codesh is Strong's number 2318 "Cadesh" which means to renew or cause to rebuild. This definition points to the crescent moon because the crescent moon is growing out of the darkness. The full moon is a moon that is completely illuminated. This would be a moon that is not rebuilding but is dying because it has reached it maximum illumination.

The International Standard Encyclopedia and the Harper's Bible Dictionary agree that the Hebrew for moon is "yareah" probably meaning wondering and "lebanah" which means white or pale. This confirming that the moon has to be visible. Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible on Page 936 under the heading time states:

"The phases of the moon would be watched, and it would soon be noticed that these recurred at regular intervals. Each appearance of the new moon would be noted as the beginning of a new period."

There is scriptural evidence of feasts at the full moon. Blow the trumpet at the new moon, At the full moon, on our feast-day. (Psalms 81:3 ASV) Both the Feast of Tabernacles and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are feasts that start on the 15^th day of the month. This puts these feasts' start at the full moon. Notice also that this scripture if you had any remaining doubt shows that the new moon and full moon are two different times.

Biblically speaking the full moon has a purpose but the full moon is not the same as the new moon. Scholars from every source that I looked at also agree that the new moon is a crescent moon. The new moon is the beginning of the month and this means that the crescent is the first light of that month. Which is easier to determine, a first light or a full moon. A full moon is hard to tell because for a few days it looks full.

We do find historically that Israel did look for the new moon as a crescent. The Sanhedrin would send men out to all the high places in Jerusalem. The men would light large fires to alert the others looking for the moon that it was seen. If they were looking for a full moon it would not of been something that you would watch for. If it were full then you would simply select the roundest moon that you see. This may have put it a couple days off. The Encyclopedia Judaica backs up the idea that they would search for the new moon and would determine by its visible crescent that the moon had been seen. The following is taken from the Encyclopedia Judaica:

NEW MOON (Heb. Rosh Hodesh; "head of the month"), the first day or beginning of the month. The Torah placed its celebration on a par with the observance of the festivals, declaring "Also in the day of your gladness, and in your appointed seasons, and in your new moons, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt-offerings..." (Num. 10:10). Originally, the New Moon was not fixed by astronomical calculations, but was solemnly proclaimed after witnesses had testified to the reappearance of the crescent of the moon. On the 30th of each month, the members of the High Court assembled in a courtyard in Jerusalem, named Beit Ya'azek, where they waited to receive the testimony of two reliable witnesses; they then sanctified the New Moon. If the moon's crescent was not seen on the 30th day, the New Moon was automatically celebrated on the 31st day. To inform the population of the beginning of the month, beacons were kindled on the Mount of Olives and thence over the entire land and in parts of the Diaspora. Later, however, the Samaritans began to light misleading beacons, and the High Court despatched messengers to far-removed communities. Those Jews who lived great distances from Jerusalem always celebrated the 30th day of the month as the New Moon. On those occasions when they were informed of its postponement to the 31st, they also observed this second consecutive day as the New Moon (RH 1:3-2:7). By the middle of the fourth century, the sages had established a permanent calendar and the public proclamation of the New Moon was discontinued. A relic of the original practice is, however, retained in the synagogue custom of announcing the New Moon on the Sabbath preceding its celebration. [Aaron Rothkoff]

It does appear from scriptural evidence that the new moon was celebrated with a meal. It was a convocation where at least the family came together. The sacrifices that were required for the new moon were actually greater than any other time of the biblical calendar. (Num. 28:11-15) Today we don't sacrifice animals for the new moon but we do come together mostly in groups watching for the new moon. According to Biblical history it was not a set apart day except in the seventh month. The seventh month begins with the Feast of Trumpets. The only feast that is set apart on the new moon.

We find that Saul held feasts on the new moon. (1 Samuel 20:24) This was when Saul turned against David and David fled and hid in the country. We also find warnings Isaiah 1:13-14 that Israel had setup feasts that Yahweh didn't accept. It is a warning that Israel should not keep their man made feasts. The keyword is "your feasts" in these verses. They were not Yahweh's feasts. This is one of many times that Israel created or borrowed from the pagan nation's worship and said that they were doing it toward Yahweh. Yahweh's feasts are laid out in through out the books of Moses. (Lev. 23)

And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Yahweh. (Isaiah 66:23 AV)

As earlier mentioned the new moon was to be a convocation. With the coming kingdom of Yahweh on earth we will all go to worship before Yahweh for the new moons. We are in training currently so that if we are found worthy of the first resurrection we will have the knowledge to teach those who will rise not knowing the truth. Amos warns that we are to be happy in our worship of almighty Yahweh. (Amos 8:5) We are not to be quick to return to our labors rather than worship Yahweh. Yahshua showed beautifully that if we are joyful to worship Yahweh then our life's will is content with serving him. Its a hard path sometimes because we are stuck in the fast pace where time is money but the glory that Yahweh promises is far better than any amount of money.

The full moon is only mentioned two times in the whole scripture. The idea that we are to look for the full moon instead of the crescent moon is flawed in many ways as pointed out in this article. First, the definition of new moon does not support a full moon. A moon that is rebuilding is not a completely illuminated moon rather it is a moon that is growing. A crescent moon is seen soon after the period of darkness where the moon is not seen. Second, Psalms 81:3 points out the difference between a full moon and a new moon by stating both. If they were the same new moon or full moon would of sufficed.

Third, history has men searching for the moon. If they were searching for the moon it would not be full because a full moon illuminates the sky. Searching would have been ridiculous with such a bright light in the sky. Fourth, the full moon does mark the middle of the month giving light to the pilgrims coming to the feasts. The major feasts of Tabernacles and Unleavened Bread are on the fifteenth of the moon. This is about the same time the moon is full.

The crescent moon is the new moon. It is a time where we are all to come together and look for Yahweh's lesser light. The new moon is such a beautiful marker for the beginning of the month. A usual sighting of the new moon is as the sun sets the sky clears. The sun sets in the west slightly right of where the new moon will be seen. As the sky darkens the first star is seen which is actually the planet Venus. Gradually the crescent appears above eye level in the west. The shofar is blown and brethren come together for fellowship.

This is part of the learning and as children and family come together for the new moon this bond will be strengthened because seeing one of Yahweh's most beautiful creations is believing. The sighting of the new moon is a blessing and as we look more and more for the moon we start to understand Yahweh's calendar and Yahweh's plan. Inspiration is found in many places but if Yahweh and Yahshua inspire us we have nothing to fear. The new moon is one of the many ways that Yahweh inspires his family.

"I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. (Revelation 2:19 NKJV)

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