moon Summary and Overview

heb. yareah, from its paleness (Ezra 6:15), and lebanah, the "white" (Cant. 6:10; Isa. 24:23), was appointed by the Creator to be with the sun "for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years" (Gen. 1:14-16). A lunation was among the Jews the period of a month, and several of their festivals were held on the day of the new moon. It is frequently referred to along with the sun (Josh. 10:12; Ps. 72:5, 7, 17; 89:36, 37; Eccl. 12:2; Isa. 24:23, etc.), and also by itself (Ps. 8:3; 121:6). The great brilliance of the moon in Eastern countries led to its being early an object of idolatrous worship (Deut. 4:19; 17:3; Job 31:26), a form of idolatry against which the Jews were warned (Deut. 4:19; 17:3). They, however, fell into this idolatry, and offered incense (2 Kings 23:5; Jer. 8:2), and also cakes of honey, to the moon (Jer. 7:18; 44:17-19, 25).

The moon held an important place in the kingdom of nature, as known to the Hebrews. Conjointly with the sun, it was appointed "for signs and for seasons, and for days and years;" though in this respect it exercised a more important influence, if by the "seasons" we understand the great religious festivals of the Jews, as is particularly stated in #Ps 104:19| and more at length in Ecclus 43:6,7. The worship of the moon prevailed extensively among the nations of the East, and under a variety of aspects. It was one of the only two deities which commanded the reverence of all the Egyptians. The worship of the heavenly bodies is referred to in #Job 31:26,27| and Moses directly warns the Jews against it. #De 4:19| In the figurative language of Scripture, the moon is frequently noticed as presaging events of the greatest importance through the temporary or permanent withdrawal of its light. #Isa 13:10; Joe 2:31; Mt 24:29; Mr 13:24|

MOON , Deut 33:14, or LES'SER LIGHT. Gen 1:16. The Hebrew year was a lunar year, and the new moon regulated many of the feasts and sacred services of the Jews. It was always the beginning of the month, and this day they called Neomenin, new-moon day or new month, and celebrated it with special sacrifices. Num 28:11-15. The heathens have generally worshipped the moon, under the names of "Queen of Heaven," "Venus," "Urania," "Succoth-benoth," "Ashtaroth," "Diana," "Hecate," or perhaps "Meni," etc. Deut 4:19; Deut 17:3; Job 31:26-27. The Jews were warned against this kind of idolatry, Deut 4:19; Deut 17:3, but they nevertheless burnt incense to the moon, 2 Kgs 23:5; Jer 8:2, and their women worshipped her as the queen of heaven and offered cakes of honey to her. Isa 7:18; Jer 44:17-19, Jer 44:25.

yareach "yellow," and lebanah; "white" (Genesis 1:14-16, "the lesser light".) Instead of being regarded as a person and worshipped, as it was by the surrounding nations, in Scripture it is God's creature "made for signs, seasons, days, and years" (Psalm 104:19). The brightness of the moon in the East, guiding the traveler by night when the heat of day is past, gives it a prominence which it has not with us (Psalm 8:3). In Psalm 89:37 however the moon is not the "faithful witness," but God is witness to His own oath; translated "and the witness in heaven is faithful," so Psalm 89:35. So Job 16:19, "my witness is in heaven," namely, God knows my innocence. The church is "fair as the moon, clear as the sun" (Song of Solomon 6:10). As the moon shines in the night, reflecting the sun's light, so the church in this world's night (Romans 13:12) reflects the light of "the Sun of righteousness" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Her justification in Him is perfect (1 John 4:17 ff); in herself sanctification is yet imperfect, as the moon has less light than the sun on the illuminated part, and is but half illuminated. At His coming she "shall shine forth as the sun" (Matthew 13:43). It influences vegetable growth; Deuteronomy 33:14, "moons," namely, its phases, others explain "months" as the times of ripening fruits. The cold night dews (Genesis 31:40) and moonlight hurt the eyes and health of those sleeping under it; so Psalm 121:6, "the moon shall not smite thee by night"; moon blindness is common in the East. The moon was worshipped as Isis in Egypt; as Karnaim, "two horns," of Ashtoreth, wife of Baal the king of heaven (the male and female symbolizing the generative powers of nature), in Syria; as Sin, "lord of the month," in Babylon. Sabaism (from tsaabaa' "the heavenly hosts") was the earliest of false worships; it appears in our pagan names Sun day, Mon (moon) day; and in Job 31:26, "if I beheld the sun ... or the moon walking in brightness, and my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand" in adoration. Josiah put down those who burned incense to the moon (2 Kings 23:5). She was called "queen of heaven" (Jeremiah 7:18), though that may mean Venus Urania. "Cakes" (cawanim) round like her disc were offered to her. So far from being an object of worship, it unconsciously worships its Maker (Psalm 148:3; Psalm 8:3). The moon in Revelation 12:1 is the Jewish dispensation, borrowing its former light from the Christian but now become worldly, and therefore under the church's feet (Galatians 4:3 end; Hebrews 2:1). The sea, earth, and its satellite the moon, represent the worldly element in opposition to the sun, the kingdom of heaven. Before Jehovah the moon has no brightness (Job 25:5; Isaiah 24:23; Isaiah 60:19-20). He shall be His people's everlasting light when sun and moon shall have ceased to shine.