Shebat
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Shebat in the Bible?
Shebat is the eleventh month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, corresponding to the period of February in the modern Gregorian calendar, and is referenced in biblical texts such as Zechariah 1:7.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Shebat provides context for the chronological setting of prophetic narratives, allowing readers to situate events within the seasonal and agricultural cycles of ancient Israel.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Shebat. 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 Shebat in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Shebat clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Zechariah 1:7
Related Topics
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
"Shebat." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/shebat/