Year
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Year in the Bible?
The Hebrew calendar employed a lunisolar system where the year was based on solar cycles and months on lunar cycles, requiring intercalation to maintain alignment. The Hebrew terms 'shanah', 'shenah', and 'yamim' denote this period.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the lunisolar structure of the Hebrew year clarifies the timing of biblical festivals and agricultural cycles, revealing how ancient Israelites synchronized religious observances with seasonal changes.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Year. 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 Year in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Year clarify?
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
"Year." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/year/