Bible Dictionaries
Moon

Holman Bible Dictionary

Light in the night sky created by God and controlling the calendar. (Genesis 1:14-19 ). Hebrew uses several words for moon, new moon, full moon, or bright, white moon. Two of Israel's greatest festivals were celebrated at the beginning of the full moon: the Passover in the spring and the Feast of Booths in the fall. Each month they celebrated the “new moon” with a little more festivity than a regular sabbath (Numbers 28:11-15 NIV).

Still the Old Testament strongly teaches against worshiping the moon (Deuteronomy 4:19; Job 31:26-28; Isaiah 47:13-15 ) as did Israel's neighbors. The people of Israel were to remember that the moon was nothing more than an object created by Yahweh and had no power over people.

Joel said in the last days the moon would become dark (Joel 2:10; Joel 3:15 ) or turn to blood (Joel 2:31 ). The moon will not give its light on the “Day of the Lord,” the light of the sun and the moon being replaced by the everlasting light of the Lord (Isaiah 13:10; Isaiah 60:19-20 ).

James Newell