BIBLICAL CONCEPT?: The Month of Jesus' Birth

 

Limited Biblical evidence: Luke’s detailed account of Jesus’ birth (Luke 1:1-4), the Abijah* division of the temple service of Zacharias (Luke 1:5-23 and 1 Chronicles 24:5-10, 18-19), Zacharias’ service of incense burning (Luke 1:8-11), Elizabeth becomes pregnant after the end of Zacharius’ temple service (Luke 1:24), 6 months into Elizabeth’s pregnancy Mary becomes pregnant with Jesus (Luke 1:25-38), Mary stays with Elizabeth for the final three months of Elizabeth’s pregnancy (Luke 1:39-40, 56), Mary gives birth 6 months after Elizabeth (Luke 1:26, 1:56-57, Luke 2:6). 

 

A limited conclusion concerning the month of Jesus’ birth: Levitical priests were divided into 24 divisions that served two times a year for a seven day period.  All divisions served together for the festivals of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.  51 weeks of service = 357 days and the Jewish lunar calendar comprised 354 days, thus the whole year is covered with service.  Altogether, each division served for 5 weeks per year.  The Jewish religious calendar begins on Nisan (March - April) and the Abijah division (the eighth division) would have served during Sivan (May - June).  John the Baptist could have been conceived in late June.  6 months into the pregnancy of Elizabeth = a late December conception for Jesus.  9 months later = a September - October birth for Jesus. 

 

 

*Abijah = hY"bia] = Yahweh is my Father.

 

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(Hyperlinks from above.)


NAS Luke 1:1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

 

NAS Luke 1:5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. 7 And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years. 8 Now it came about, while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. 11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear gripped him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. 14 "And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine or liquor; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, while yet in his mother's womb. 16 "And he will turn back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 "And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." 18 And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this for certain? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." 19 And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I have been sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. 20 "And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their proper time." 21 And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute. 23 And it came about, when the days of his priestly service were ended, that he went back home.

 

NAS 1 Chronicles 24:5 Thus they were divided by lot, the one as the other; for they were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God, both from the descendants of Eleazar and the descendants of Ithamar. 6 And Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel the scribe, from the Levites, recorded them in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' households of the priests and of the Levites; one father's household taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar. 7 Now the first lot came out for Jehoiarib, the second for Jedaiah, 8 the third for Harim, the fourth for Seorim, 9 the fifth for Malchijah, the sixth for Mijamin, 10 the seventh for Hakkoz, the eighth for Abijah,

 

NAS 1 Chronicles 24:18 the twenty-third for Delaiah, the twenty-fourth for Maaziah. 19 These were their offices for their ministry, when they came in to the house of the LORD according to the ordinance given to them through Aaron their father, just as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

 

NAS Luke 1:8 Now it came about, while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. 11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

 

NAS Luke 1:24 And after these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant; and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,

 

NAS Luke 1:25 "This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men." 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee, called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you."

 

NAS Luke 1:39 Now at this time Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

 

NAS Luke 1:26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee, called Nazareth,

 

NAS Luke 1:56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home. 57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she brought forth a son.

 

NAS Luke 2:6 And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.