The Month of CheshvanWatch and Pray

The month of Cheshvan is the eighth month on the Biblical calendar, counting from Nisan. It also coincides with October-November on the Gregorian calendar. The Bible refers to this month as “Bul” (1 Kings 6:38), meaning “rainy.” However, following Israel’s Babylonian exile, its name was changed.

Cheshvan is often referred to as “Marcheshvan.” The prefix “Mar” means, “bitter.” It is said that Cheshvan is bitter because there are no festivals or Holy Days in this month. It is a tradition in Judaism to rejoice on Holy Days. However, because Cheshvan has no holidays, there is no rejoicing and that is why the month is referred to as bitter.

The great flood during the month of Cheshvan

Cheshvan is also called “Chodesh Bul.” Chodesh means “month,” and Cheshvan comes from the Hebrew word “Mabul,” which means “the flood.” The month of Cheshvan is associated with the great flood and global judgment, which Noah and his family endured. The 17th of Cheshvan was the beginning of the great flood that took place in the time of Noah, according to tradition. God had chosen to destroy His creation because mankind had become wicked and chose to turn away from God.

God’s covenant with Noah and the earth

Noah and his family discovered that the waters of the flood had completely receded on the 27^th of Cheshvan, just over a year later (Genesis 8:1-4). On the following day, Noah built an altar an made an animal sacrifice to God. Noah gave thanks to God for His mercy and goodness shown to him and his family. After this, God swore that He would never again bring a flood upon the earth to destroy mankind. He then placed a rainbow in the sky as a sign of His covenant with the world (Genesis 9:11-17).

The month of new beginnings

God remembered Noah and the animals and made a wind to pass over the earth, As a result, the flood water began to disappear. In addition, the rain stopped falling and water stopped flowing from under the earth (Genesis 8:1-4). Through Noah and his family, humanity was given a new beginning,

The number eight, in the Bible, represents a new beginning. Therefore, the month of Cheshvan is an opportune time to ask God for a fresh start or new beginning. In addition, it is a good time to remember the covenant we have with our Father, through Jesus Christ. By faith, we can believe that God will open new doors for us and fulfill the purpose He has for our lives.

CLICK HERE: Jewish-Gregorian Calendar