Ab (2)
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Ab (2) in the Bible?
The fifth month of the Hebrew ecclesiastical calendar, occurring in July and August, which is not explicitly named in the Hebrew Bible but is identified in the writings of Josephus as the month in which Aaron died.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Ab provides context for the timeline of priestly history and the seasonal cycles referenced in biblical narratives, aiding in the precise dating of events related to the Tabernacle and early Israelite leadership.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Ab (2). Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Ab (2) in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ab (2) clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Ab (2)." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ab-2/