חֹדֶשׁ

The Hebrew noun חֹדֶשׁ (kho-desh) primarily signifies the "new moon," marking the beginning of a lunar month in ancient Israel. The term is closely related to the Hebrew root חָדַשׁ (kha-dash), meaning "to be new" or "to renew." This connection highlights the concept of renewal associated with the lunar cycle. Beyond indicating the celestial event, חֹדֶשׁ frequently refers to the entire "month," which in the Israelite calendar was determined by the sighting of the new moon. Thus, the word encompasses both the specific day of the new moon and the period of time comprising a month. The new moon was a significant religious observance, often accompanied by special sacrifices and assemblies. It was considered a time of worship and gathering, and its observance is noted alongside Sabbaths and other festivals. The concept of time, and its measurement, is interwoven with the religious life of Israel, and the monthly cycle, signaled by חֹדֶשׁ, plays an important part in the biblical calendar. Therefore, the term carries both a temporal and a cultic significance, linking the natural rhythm of the moon to the rhythm of Israelite worship and life. The word can also be found in contexts purely referring to a period of time, such as a number of months or an age measured in months. These uses demonstrate the broader application of the term beyond just the religious observance, reflecting its common usage in everyday life for marking periods of time.