What was the significance of the new moon in Bible times?

Answer

The importance of the new moon in Bible times lies in its role as the start of a new month (as the Hebrew calendar follows a lunar cycle) and as a time for the Israelites to offer sacrifices to God. The beginning of each month was determined not through astronomical calculations but by messengers appointed to spot the first visible crescent of the new moon. Once sighted, this news was spread across the land through signal fires on hilltops and the sound of trumpets. The Hebrew term for “month” (hodesh) directly translates to “new moon.”

In Numbers 28:11, the observance of the New Moon offering is instructed for the first time: “On the first day of each month, present to the Lord a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven one-year-old male lambs without blemish.” Alongside each animal sacrifice, there was to be a grain offering and a drink offering (verses 12–14). Furthermore, in addition to the burnt offerings, a goat was to be offered to the Lord as a sin offering (verse 15). The New Moon celebration signified the dedication of each new month to God. These festivals involved sacrifices, the sounding of trumpets during the sacrifices «Also in the day of your joy, and on your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the LORD your God.», (Numbers 10:10), the cessation of all work and commerce «and if the people of the land bring goods or any food on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy it from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day; and we will forego the seventh year’s produce and the exacting of every debt.», (Nehemiah 10:31), and social or family feasts «And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even. », (1 Samuel 20:5).

As with any religious ritual, there was a danger of observing the New Moon festivals without a true heart to follow God. Later in their history, the Israelites continued to observe the New Moon festivals outwardly, even after their hearts had turned cold toward God. They readily parted with their bulls and lambs and goats, but they would not give up their sins. They relied on the outward observations to cleanse them, even though there was still evil in their hearts. God had severe words for such hypocrisy: “Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them” (Isaiah 1:13-14). Sin is hateful to God, and no amount of ritual or ceremony or sacrament can make up for a sinful heart. “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being” (Psalm 51:6;ESV;see also Hosea 6:6).

Observance of New Moon festivals and their sacrifices is no longer required. When the perfect Sacrifice, the spotless Lamb of God, appeared, He rendered the observation of these ordinances no longer necessary. All the righteous requirements of the Law were fulfilled by Him « Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. », (Matthew 5:17), and His sacrifice on the cross means that there is no longer a need for sin offerings. Paul reminds us of this truth: “Do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. These are a foreshadowing of things to come; the substance, however, is found in Christ” (Colossians 2:16-17).