Sirach 43:7 - From the moon is the sign of the feast day; A light that waneth when she is come to the full.
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What does "Sirach 43:7" mean?
Sirach 43:7, "From the moon is the sign of the feast day; A light that waneth when she is come to the full," is a poetic observation about the lunar cycle and its connection to religious calendars, particularly Jewish ones. Let's break down the meaning:
"From the moon is the sign of the feast day..." This highlights that the moon, specifically its phases, is crucial for determining the dates of religious festivals or feast days. Many ancient calendars, including the Jewish calendar, were lunisolar, meaning they were based on both the cycles of the moon and the sun. The new moon (when the moon is "born" again) was often the signal to start a new month, and therefore, a crucial indicator for when festivals would occur.
"...A light that waneth when she is come to the full." This refers to the moon's cycle. The moon waxes (grows) from a new moon to a full moon, and then wanes (shrinks) back to a new moon. The verse notes the waning of the light after the full moon, which is a key part of understanding the passage of time and predicting future lunar events.
In essence, the verse means:
The lunar cycle, particularly the observation of the new moon and the full moon, is what signals when religious holidays are to be celebrated. The verse emphasizes how the visible change of the moon from full to a sliver marks the continuing cycle of time, and therefore, the approaching dates of the next set of feasts.
Religious context:
In the Jewish calendar, the New Moon (Rosh Chodesh) marks the beginning of a new month. Many festivals are tied to specific days of the lunar month (e.g., Passover on the 15th of Nisan, which is the full moon of that month). The verse reflects an awareness of this calendar system and the importance of observing the lunar cycle for religious observance.
Figurative/poetic interpretation (less common but possible):
While primarily literal, there could be a more subtle, figurative reading. The "full moon" could symbolize a high point or time of abundance, followed by a period of decline or decrease. In this interpretation, the verse could be a broader reflection on cycles and transitions in life. However, the clear connection to calendars in the verse makes the lunar-calendar interpretation the dominant one.
Sirach 43:7 - From the moon is the sign of the feast day; A light that waneth when she is come to the full.
What does "Sirach 43:7" mean?
Sirach 43:7, "From the moon is the sign of the feast day; A light that waneth when she is come to the full," is a poetic observation about the lunar cycle and its connection to religious calendars, particularly Jewish ones. Let's break down the meaning:
"From the moon is the sign of the feast day..." This highlights that the moon, specifically its phases, is crucial for determining the dates of religious festivals or feast days. Many ancient calendars, including the Jewish calendar, were lunisolar, meaning they were based on both the cycles of the moon and the sun. The new moon (when the moon is "born" again) was often the signal to start a new month, and therefore, a crucial indicator for when festivals would occur.
"...A light that waneth when she is come to the full." This refers to the moon's cycle. The moon waxes (grows) from a new moon to a full moon, and then wanes (shrinks) back to a new moon. The verse notes the waning of the light after the full moon, which is a key part of understanding the passage of time and predicting future lunar events.
In essence, the verse means:
The lunar cycle, particularly the observation of the new moon and the full moon, is what signals when religious holidays are to be celebrated. The verse emphasizes how the visible change of the moon from full to a sliver marks the continuing cycle of time, and therefore, the approaching dates of the next set of feasts.
Religious context:
In the Jewish calendar, the New Moon (Rosh Chodesh) marks the beginning of a new month. Many festivals are tied to specific days of the lunar month (e.g., Passover on the 15th of Nisan, which is the full moon of that month). The verse reflects an awareness of this calendar system and the importance of observing the lunar cycle for religious observance.
Figurative/poetic interpretation (less common but possible):
While primarily literal, there could be a more subtle, figurative reading. The "full moon" could symbolize a high point or time of abundance, followed by a period of decline or decrease. In this interpretation, the verse could be a broader reflection on cycles and transitions in life. However, the clear connection to calendars in the verse makes the lunar-calendar interpretation the dominant one.