Pachon
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Pachon in the Bible?
Pachon is the name of an Egyptian month referenced in 3 Maccabees 6:38, corresponding to the modern months of May or June.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Pachon as an Egyptian month clarifies the historical setting of 3 Maccabees, demonstrating how the text utilizes the contemporary Egyptian calendar system to date events during the Hellenistic period.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Pachon. 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 Pachon in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Pachon 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
"Pachon." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/pachon/