Passover is correctly translated in the old covenant 46 times and in the new covenant 26 times. However, translators made a mistake one time in translating the Hebrew to the Greek in Acts 12:4 translators use the term Easter instead of the proper term Passover. Guess which translation the world clings to?
Act 12: v4. And when he had apprehended him, he put [him] in prison, and delivered [him] to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Easter actually started as a ritual of celebrating the spring equinox.
The earth is spherical and looks like it's hanging on nothing in space however, it's the invisible gravitational pull of the Sun that holds it in orbit and keeps it from flying off.
Isa 40: v22. [It is] he that sitteth upon the circle (sphere) of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers (people are tiny compared to earth); that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in
Job 26: v7. He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, [and] hangeth the earth upon nothing.
View of earth from space!
The spring and fall equinoxes are the times that occur twice a year when the northern and southern hemispheres of the earth are the same distance from the Sun.
Our Creator set the Earth in motion spinning on its axis (line through north and south pole) with a tilt of 23.5 degrees. The earth spins towards the east and completes a revolution every 24 hours, however, since the earth is so massive (compared to us the earth looks to be flat since it's so massive compared to our small size) it carries the atmosphere with it and therefore it appears that we're sitting still. This is similar to being in a car with no windows and you can't tell you're moving (unless the car stops). It also explains why the sun appears to rise in the east. We're actually moving (with the earth) towards the east. This rotation is part of the Creator’s clock as the earth continues to spin on its axis over a 24-hour period The sun appears to move across the sky eventually setting below the western horizon marking the beginning of a new day!
Precisely when the top of the round sun drops below the horizon at even (sunset) a new day has begun!
Psa 19: v4. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun
V5. Which [is] as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, [and] rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
V6. His going forth [is] from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof (the sun appears to orbit the earth every 24 hours but it’s the rotation of the earth on it’s axis every 24 hours to the east that gives this view).
Our Creator also set the earth in another motion circulating, revolving, or making a complete circuit, circle, or orbit around the sun counterclockwise once a year. If there was no tilt of the earth's axis then there would never be a change of seasons as the earth revolves around the sun once a year because if the axis was vertical the northern and southern hemispheres would be the same distance from the sun at all points during the year. When the tilt is away from the sun this marks the depth of winter in the northern hemisphere and when the tilt is towards the sun marks the depth of summer since the northern hemisphere is closer to the sun in between are the equinoxes when the northern and southern hemispheres are a equal distance from the sun.
Gen 1: v14. And Yahweh said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.
Yahweh's clock/calendar drives the seasons and hence when the barley will be ripe. Noah kept time on the ark and I'm sure he didn't have any barley field growing in the ark to determine the season. Noah used the sun and moon (Yahweh's clock). He knew that a new moon would be seen every 29 to 30 days. If it wasn't seen on the 29th because of clouds, then the next day would mark the new moon.
Noah’s ark has been found! See for yourself at arkdiscovery.com.
Gen 8: v13. And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first [month,] the first [day] of the month (new moon), the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.
The new Moon occurs 21 times in the Bible and is translated the first day of the month. Moses probably read the book of Deuteronomy to the people on a new moon (a day off, not a holy convocation).
Deu 1: v3. And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first [day] of the month, [that] Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the Yahweh had given him in commandment unto them;
The first new moon on or after the spring equinox is a SIGN or beacon that the new year is about to begin!
The first month of the new year must start in the spring !
Exo 12: v2. This month [shall be] unto you the beginning of months: it [shall be] the first month of the year to you.
Isa 66: v23. And it shall come to pass, [that] from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Yahweh (future millennium).
Amo 8: v5. Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? And the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit (buying/selling=barter/trade=occupation)
1Sa 20: v5. And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow [is] the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third [day] at even (David probably saw the new moon crescent the evening before after sunset making the next sunset that night and the next day/morrow/tomorrow the new moon day).
Since the new year starts in spring, not winter, the spring equinox is a SIGN the new year is about to start depending on the new moon (The first sliver of light on the moon after sunset). Since the first day of the (new) month can't start in the (old) month the following evening would mark the start of the first day of the year. However, most follow Herbert Solinsky's theory that the first faint reflection (crescent) of the new moon can sometimes be seen before sunset, at sunset, or after sunset, but always before the stars come out. Herbert has studied this over 50 years and I have great respect for his work. He believes the start of the new day is imprecise and thinks the faint crescent can be seen sometimes before sunset, usually after sunset, but always before the stars come out (personal communication). If the day begins and ends when the stars come out that would always be after the sighted crescent and would be the first day of the month !
However, the end and beginning of a day doesn’t happen when stars come out later. The day ends and begins at sunset before the crescent is seen!
The day begins and ends in a precise moment in time when the Sun sets below the horizon; this is proved in Leviticus 23:32.
Lev 23: v32. It [shall be] unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth [day] of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath
The Hebrew word for even is sunset therefore a 24-hour day begins and ends precisely at sunset when the sun drops below the horizon.
Other scriptures that support the sunset doctrine.
Psa 136: v7. To him that made great lights: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
V8. The sun to rule by day: for his mercy [endureth] for ever
V9. The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
The weekly Sabbath is fairly straightforward compared to the annual Sabbaths. The international date line is actually in the wrong place. Yahweh’s international dateline is Jerusalem. Our Creator will be there in Ezekiel's temple during the Millennium and our Creator and Father both will be there in the new heavens and new earth when New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven (heaven coming to earth)!
Isa 2: v3. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of YahwehZidkenu (our Creator) to the house of the Yahweh of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of YahwehZidkenu from Jerusalem (Millennium).
Mic 4: v2. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of YahwehZidkenu, and to the house of the Yahweh of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the from Jerusalem (Millennium).
Friday night at sunset in Jerusalem is the start of the weekly Sabbath there and as the earth rotates towards the east the sunsets move west around the globe in a 24-hour period to also start your Sabbath wherever you are on Friday night at sunset.
The key is using Jerusalem as the international dateline. This way everyone on the planet has their Sabbath start on Friday night at sunset wherever they are located. Jerusalem would start their Sabbath friday at sunset and would be first. As the earth rotates on its axis in 24 hours the sunsets progress around the globe. Thus the Sabbaths start later and later as you go west but everyone on the planet would have their Sabbath start at Friday night at sunset wherever they're located. Thus the Sabbaths come to you from Jerusalem first and then to you wherever you are on Friday night at sunset!
Israel is a narrow north to south country that is all in one time zone. Therefore, they would all start their Sabbath first at the same time Friday night at sunset.
Likewise, the new moon would first be sighted in Jerusalem, Israel, and then as the sun sets progress west over 24-hour period later and later but after sunset on the same day of the week for everyone on the planet (assuming no different cloudy weather conditions).
Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua (should be YahwehShua see articles on this site regarding name) sights the new moon wherever they are located and create a monthly new moon report. I've spent time utilizing their extensive database and compared local sunset times with local new moon sighting times. I found no cases where the new moon was sighted before sunset. The new moon was always sighted later after sunset. I have not seen the faint crescent of a new moon (which is a reflection) before or at sunset because the faint reflection from the moon can't compete with direct sunlight (not a reflection) from the sun. The new moon or faint crescent is seen after the sun sets. The sun rules the day, moon & stars rule the night!
The sun sets in the very precise time the second it drops below the horizon and can no longer be seen. That's a new day, starting precisely when the sun sets and if the new moon has not been visualized yet then it would be the start of a new day of the (old) month. Since the first day of a new month needs to start in the new month the evening after the crescent is sighted would really be the start or first day of the new month! There is a small sect who had some writings previously on the internet which I reviewed in the past regarding the sunset doctrine and I agree with their findings but I have had no personal communication. However, I think the sunset doctrine is the correct clock and harmonizes with the scriptures
You see to the sunsetters, it would mean that if we spotted the sliver tonight, which by the way, always follows an hour or so after sunset, this would mean that not tomorrow but rather two days after the evening we sight the crescent, would be the New Moon!” (The beginning of Yahweh’s months forums at Eliyah.com September 15,2002).
I think Yahweh does everything extremely precisely, even his clock that he has set in motion: the first second of the first minute of the first hour of the first day of the first month of the new year starts at exactly a precise time when the sun sets the next night after visualizing the crescent the prior night with the naked eye! The first new moon of the year is the one that is seen on or after the spring equinox (equinox SIGN). The first day of a new month is the sunset that occurs after the visualization of the crescent the prior night (crescent SIGN)! If the crescent is visualized before sunset or at sunset, that would be the first sunset and the start of the first day of the year which would correspond with Solinsky’s calendar. But if the crescent is seen after sunset (true fact) that means the day started before the crescent was seen and the start of the day was in an old month. Therefore, if the crescent is seen after sunset the next sunset would be first day of the first month of the new year! Everything after that precise moment in time is of the new year everything prior to that precise moment in time is of the old year. Yahweh's clock is extremely precise! Yahweh the Father’s timing is perfect! He had his Son (our Creator the true Lamb of Yahweh) sacrificed at the exact same time the lambs were being slaughtered on the preparation day (Passover).
New moon after sunset:
Choose your doctrine! Currently the Light of YahwehShua follows Herb Solinsky's research to keep peace and love within our assembly until we (our small assembly) are all of one mind!
Again, weekly Sabbaths are easy, but annual Sabbaths are more difficult. I agree with the sunset doctrine, but submission and service to one another is more important.
I don't know if Yahweh’s clock/calendar is a salvation issue and certainly doesn't come close to the importance of getting baptized in the name of YahwehShua and having hands laid on you by an elder. The old covenant required physical circumcision to attend the feast of unleavened bread day one. The new covenant requires circumcision of the heart and hands laid on you by an elder to attend the last supper (preparation/Passover/14th day ) and the feast of unleavened bread (15th day).
Col 2: v11. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of YahwehShua.
Col 2: v12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of Yahweh the Father, who hath raised him from the dead.
Rom 8: v15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption (Spirit of Messiah/Holy Spirit), whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
We are to serve one another and edify one another and have unity and seek peace within the brethren. The following scriptures are a help.
1Co 8: v2. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
Rom 14: v22. Hast thou faith? Have [it] to thyself before YahwehShua. Happy [is] he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
The assembly or act is more important than the day. In the old covenant, Moses at the direction of Yahweh, allowed Israelites who were defiled (unclean) to keep the Passover the second month on the 14th day clearly demonstrating that the act of keeping the Passover is more important than the day since they were able to keep the Passover a month later!
Num 9: v9. And Yahweh spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 9: v10. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or [be] in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover (kill the lamb on the 14th/ preparation day /Passover and consume the lamb after the end of the 14th after sunset the 15th/ the Feast of Unleavened bread) unto Yahweh.
Num 9: v11. The fourteenth day of the second month at even (the beginning of the 15th) they shall keep it, [and] eat it (lamb) with unleavened bread (Feast of Unleavened Bread) and bitter [herbs].
What a loving Creator! Paul also gives insight regarding days in the new covenant.
Rom 14: v4. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for YahwehShua is able to make him stand.
Rom 14: v5. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike.] Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Rom 14: v6. He that regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto YahwehShua; and he that regardeth not the day, to YahwehShua he doth not regard [it.] He that eateth, eateth to the YahwehShua , for he giveth YahwehShua thanks; and he that eateth not, to the YahwehShua he eateth not, and giveth YahwehShua thanks.
Col 2: v16. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days:]
Col 2: v17. Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body (assembly) [is] of YahwehShua
Back to the spring equinox! If you have a good view of the east and west horizons without trees it's easy to see the sunrise and sunset move over time. As we move towards winter you will notice the sunrise and sunset keep moving south to the right at sunrise and to the left at sunset. As we move towards summer the sunrise and sunset appear to move to the north to the left at sunrise and to the right at sunset. In between these movements are the equinoxes and if you have a stake driven in the ground (replace man in image 5 above with stake) the shadow at sunrise and sunset will overlap on the equinoxes (see fifth image above). The spring equinox always falls on March 19th, 20th, or 21st. This year it will occur on March 20th at 5:20 p.m. The first new moon on or after that date will be the signal that the new year is about to start!
At the end of the 13th day (sunset), after the first day of the new year will begin the start of the 14th of Abib. The Last Supper, the beginning of the preparation day, the Passover. The daylight portion of the 14th at 3:00 p.m. is when the true Lamb of Yahweh (our Creator) performed the greatest act of Love of all time! At precisely 3:00 p.m. on the preparation day is the greatest moment in all time and in all history. The weekly and annual Sabbaths pale in comparison! That single act guarantees all creation an endless life!
Pray to Yahweh in the name of his resurrected Son YahwehShua for wisdom and truth. Love everyone especially the brethren!
Heb 12: v14. Follow peace with all [men,] and holiness, without which no man shall see YahwehShua.
Iphp 2: v3. [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
I'm still trying to get the giant redwood out of my own eye !
Mat 7: v3. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Again the weekly Sabbaths are straight forward using Friday at sunset whever you are located using Jerusalem (YahwehShua’s international dateline) as the start of the first Sabbath on Friday at sunset. Without the correct clock YOU won’t have the correct time for the annual Sabbaths. Study Yahweh’s clock. Pray to Father Yahweh in the name of his Son YahwehShua for wisdom and true doctrine.
HalleluYahwehShua!