The Month of Iyar

The month of Iyar is the second month on the Biblical calendar and usually coincides with April-May on the Gregorian calendar. It is between two of the most important months of the year for the Jewish people. Passover is observed in the previous month of Nisan, and Shavuot (the Jewish Pentecost) is observed in the coming month of Sivan.

Iyar was formerly named “Ziv,” before Israel’s Babylonian captivity (1 Kings 6:1, 37). The word Ziv means “light” or “glow.” For this reason, Iyar is referred to as the “month of radiance” or “blossoming” because of the splendor of the sun and season of the year.

Iyar, the month of healing

Iyar is referred to as the month of healing. Moreover, it is related to the Bible Scripture, “… I am the Lord that healeth thee,” Exodus 15:26. In fact, the Hebraic spelling of Iyar is an acronym for the words, “Ani Hashem Rophecha” which means, “I am God your healer.”

On the first day of Iyar, the Israelites arrived at a place where the water was bitter and undrinkable. Because of this, they began to complain to Moses. Then, Moses cried out to God for help, and in response to his pleas, God instructed Moses to throw a tree into the water. As a result, the water miraculously became sweet and drinkable (Exodus 15:24-25). Afterwards, God promised that if Israel listened to Him and obeyed His commands, He would protect them from the diseases He put on the Egyptians: “… for I am the Lord that healeth thee,” (v. 26).

Manna falls from Heaven

Jewish tradition teaches that on the 15th of Iyar, manna began to fall from heaven. This took place during the Israelites’ 40-year wandering in the desert. The word “manna” means “What is it?” It appeared each morning, and the Israelites were given specific instructions on gathering it (see Exodus chapter 16). This manna was perfect food and was supposed to have healing qualities. Many of the Jews, who left Egypt, had numerous physical blemishes and injuries from the hardships of slavery. Yet miraculously, they were all healed by God, their Healer, prior to their meeting at Sinai to receive the Torah.

As a result of this, the month of Iyar is commonly referred to as the month of (natural) healing. Therefore, it is an opportune time for believers to seek God for the healing of their bodies and emotional wounds. As a loving Father, God desires that His children are healthy and healed from every kind of illness (3 John 1:2). So, trust and put your faith in God, the Lord Who heals us.

Jesus, the bread of life

Far more important than manna’s physical qualities is what the manna foreshadowed. It foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, “For the bread of God is He who cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world. “…I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst,” (John 6:32-35).

God provided manna to daily sustain the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. In a similar manner, He sent Jesus Christ, our spiritual manna, for the salvation of our souls (John 6:49-50).

So, let us daily trust God to supply our physical needs and find spiritual nourishment in Christ and God’s Holy Word.

CLICK HERE: Jewish-Gregorian Calendar