Abib means “young ear” and describes the month when the barley was newly ripened. It was the first month of Israel’s religious year and was later called Nisan.
Definition
Abib is the descriptive designation for the month of young or newly ripened grain, especially barley. It marked the first month of Israel’s religious year and the seventh month of the civil year. The month was later called Nisan. Abib was associated with the ripening of grain and the beginning of the barley harvest.
Biblical Usage
Abib identifies the month in which Israel’s religious year began. The Passover and related observances occurred in this month, and the harvest began with the gathering of a sheaf of barley that was offered to the Lord. The term describes the stage of young ears of grain rather than functioning originally as a proper month-name.
Historical Background
The beginning of the year was determined by the new moon nearest or next preceding the appearance of young barley ears. This year was practically the same as the old Babylonian year. After the Captivity, the month was called Nisan, and it began about the time of the vernal equinox.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
An ear of corn, the month of newly-ripened grain (Ex. 13:4; 23:15); the first of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, and the seventh of the civil year. It began about the time of the vernal equinox, on 21st March. It was called Nisan, after the Captivity (Neh. 2:1). On the fifteenth day of the month, harvest was begun by gathering a sheaf of barley, which was offered unto the Lord on the sixteenth (Lev. 23:4-11).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(green fruits). [Month]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a'-bib ('abhibh, young ear of barley or other grain, Ex 9:31; Le 2:14): The first month of the Israelite year, called Nisan in Ne 2:1; Es 3:7, is Abib in Ex 13:4; 23:15; 34:18; compare De 16:1. Abib is not properly a name of a month, but part of a descriptive phrase, "the month of young ears of grain." This may indicate the Israelite way of determining the new year (Ex 12:2), the year beginning with the new moon nearest or next preceding this stage of the growth of the barley. The year thus indicated was practically the same with the old Babylonian year, and presumably came in with Abraham. The Pentateuchal laws do not introduce it, though they define it, perhaps to distinguish it from the Egyptian wandering year.</p><p>See CALENDAR.</p><p>Willis J. Beecher</p>
