Before their captivity in Babylon, they counted their moneths without any name, according to the number. The First, Second, Third moneth, &c. After their return from Babylon, they called them by these names:
| 1. Nisan; it was also called אביב Abib, which signifieth an ear of Corn. in this month Barley began to be eared. | They answered to part of | 1 | {March. { April. |
| 2. Iiar, it was also called זיו which signifieth beauty: then the Trees began to be beautified with Buds and Blossoms. | 2 | { April. { May. | |
| 3. Sivan. | 3 | { May. { June. | |
| 4. Thamuz. | 4 | { June. { July. | |
| 5. Ab. | 5 | { July. { August. | |
| 6. Elul. | 6 | { August. { September. | |
| 7. Tisri, otherwise called Ethanim. | 7 | { September. { October. | |
| 8. Marchesuan, it was called Bull. | 8 | { October. { November. | |
| 9. Chisleu. | 9 | { November. { December. | |
| 10. Tebeth. | 10 | { December. { January. | |
| 11. Shebeth. | 11 | { January. { February. | |
| 12. Adar. Ve-adar. | 12 | { February. { March. |
Before their coming out of Egypt, they began their year in the moneth of Tisri,[242] and thus they continued it always after, for civil affairs, for their date of buying, selling, their Sabbatical years, years of Jubile, &c. After their coming out of Egypt, they began their year in the moneth Nisan, and so continued it for the computation of their greatest Feasts.
[242] Ἐν μηνὶ δευτέρῳ Δὶῳ μὲν ὑπὸ Μακεδόνων λεγομένῳ Μαρσουάνῃ δὲ ὑπὸ Ἑβραίων, οὕτω γὰρ Αἰγύπτιοι τὸν ἐνίαυτον ἦσαν διατεταχότες. Μωυσῆς δὲ τὸν Νισὰν, ὅς ἐστι ξανθικὸς, μήνα πρῶτον ἐπὶ ταῖς ἑορταῖς ὥρισεν. Joseph. Antiq. l. 1. c. 4. Mendose ponitur Μαρσουάνη pro αρχασουὰν qui mensis erat olim secundus apud Hebræos, sicut et Dius apud Macedones.
CHAP. II.
Of their Feasts.
Before we descend to their particular Feasts; First we will see their manner of Feasting in general. Their ordinary meals, as they were not many in a day, so neither were they costly. They were called Arucoth,[243] which word signifieth properly, such fare as Travellers and Way-faring men use on their journeys. The word is used, Jer. 40. 5. So the chief Steward gave him victuals, and a reward, and let him go. Likewise, Pro. 15. 17. Better is a dinner of green herbs where love is. The extroardinary and more liberal kind of entertainment, by way of Feasting, was commonly called Mischte,[244] from their liberal drinking at such meetings. There was also another kind of feasting, wherein they made merry together, eating the remainders of their Sacrifices; this they termed Chag.[245] From this custom of having a feast at the end of their Sacrifices, the Christians of the Primitive Church instituted their Love-feasts to succeed the Lords Supper:[246] In both these greater and more solemn Feasts, there were some Ceremonies used by them, as preparatory to the Feast, others in their giving thanks, others in their gesture at Table.
[243] ab ארח ארוחות Iter facere, significat viaticum.
[244] משתה Convivium, compotatio dicitur à potendo sive bibendo, ut Græcè συμπόσιον, ab altera ejus parte.