Nisan
The First Month of the Jewish Year
Nisan holds the distinction of being the first month of the Jewish religious calendar, as established by God's command to Moses and Aaron in Egypt: "This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you" (Exodus 12:2). Originally called Abib in the Pentateuch, meaning "ripening grain" or "green ears" (Exodus 13:4; 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:1), the name Nisan was adopted after the Babylonian exile.
Biblical References
The name Nisan appears by name in two Old Testament books. In Nehemiah 2:1, it marks the date when Nehemiah, serving as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, received permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls. In Esther 3:7, Nisan is mentioned as the month when Haman cast lots to determine the date for his planned destruction of the Jewish people. Both passages show Nisan functioning as a standard calendrical reference in the post-exilic period.
The Month of Passover and Exodus
Nisan's primary significance lies in its connection to the Passover and the Exodus from Egypt. On the tenth day of Nisan, each Israelite household selected a lamb without blemish (Exodus 12:3-5). On the fourteenth day, they slaughtered the lamb at twilight and applied its blood to their doorposts (Exodus 12:6-7). That night, the angel of death passed over homes marked with the blood, and Israel departed Egypt. This foundational event shaped Israel's identity as a redeemed people.
Other Key Events in Nisan
Beyond the Exodus, Scripture records several other significant events in this month. The Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land on the tenth of Nisan (Joshua 4:19). The Feast of Unleavened Bread, lasting seven days, began on the fifteenth (Leviticus 23:6). The offering of firstfruits took place during Nisan as well (Leviticus 23:10-11), celebrating the beginning of the barley harvest.
Nisan and the New Testament
Christian tradition recognizes that Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection occurred during Nisan. Jesus celebrated the Last Supper on the evening of Passover, and He was crucified the following day. Paul explicitly connects these events when he writes, "Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7). The timing of the resurrection during the feast of firstfruits further connects to Paul's declaration that Christ is "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20).
A Month of New Beginnings
Nisan represents new beginnings throughout Scripture. It marked the start of Israel's national life, the entrance into Canaan, and ultimately the death and resurrection of Christ. The spring timing, when new life emerges from winter's dormancy, reinforces the theme of redemption and renewal that runs through this month's observances.
Biblical Context
The month is called Abib in the Pentateuch (Exodus 13:4; 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:1) and Nisan in the post-exilic books (Nehemiah 2:1; Esther 3:7). It is the month of Passover (Exodus 12), the crossing of the Jordan (Joshua 4:19), and the season of Christ's death and resurrection.
Theological Significance
Nisan embodies the theme of divine redemption. God chose this month to deliver Israel from slavery, and in the same month, Christ accomplished the ultimate redemption through His death and resurrection. The Passover lamb of Nisan foreshadowed the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Historical Background
The name Nisan derives from the Babylonian month Nisannu, adopted by the Jews during the Babylonian exile (6th century BC). The Babylonian calendar heavily influenced the post-exilic Jewish calendar. In ancient Mesopotamia, Nisannu was also the first month, associated with the spring equinox and the Akitu (new year) festival. The Jewish adoption of the name reflects the cultural exchange during the exile while retaining the theological significance established at the Exodus.