Israel is observing Shemni Atzeret (שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת) – the Eighth Day of Assembly – mentioned in Leviticus 23:36. It begins at 5:57 PM (sunset) in Jerusalem on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (10:57 AM ET).
The Eighth Day is the last of the LORD’S Feast Days listed in Leviticus 23; however, there are two additional Biblical Feasts on the calendar that begins on Nisan 1, which is the original Biblical calendar given by God Himself. Nisan 1 is the Biblical New Years Day, which is the start of the month of the Exodus from Egypt as well as the beginning of Jewish national history. It is also the first month used for counting the festivals (mo'edim) on the Biblical Calendar and for reckoning the years of reign of the Kings of Israel.
The Biblical New Year starts when the waxing crescent of the moon is first sighted by two witnesses. The Nisan 1 new moon is called Rosh Chodashim – “the head of the months.” The observance of Rosh Chodashim is considered the very first commandment given to the Israelites before the great exodus from Egypt: “This month shall be for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you” (Exodus 12:2). Biblically, Nisan 1 is the only new year – the head of the month – designated in Scripture.
If Nisan 1 is the head of the months, then the Days of Awe – the 10 days from the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) – plus the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) should be in the seventh month, as Scripture confirms:
[1] “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the SEVENTH MONTH, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets [Feast of Trumpets], a holy convocation” (Leviticus 23:24).
[2] “Also the tenth day of this SEVENTH MONTH shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:27).
[3] “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘The fifteenth day of this SEVENTH MONTH shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the Lord’” (Leviticus 23:34).
Having a New Year in the seventh month comes from Babylon. Please refer to https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/yom-teruah-or-rosh-ha-shana-bible-or-babylon/.
Back to Shemni Atzeret (שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת) – the Eighth Day of Assembly – which is celebrated on the 22nd day of the seventh month on the Biblical Calendar. It is separate, yet connected, to Sukkot. In fact, when Shemini Atzeret is mentioned in the first five books of the Bible, it is always mentioned in context with the seven-day festival of Sukkot, which it immediately follows.
The Hebrew word Shemini literally means “Eighth.” Because of this, it is often assumed that Shemini Atzeret is simply the eighth day of Sukkot. However, the seven days of Sukkot ends with Hoshana Rabbah – the great hoshanah (salvation) – and then is immediately followed by an additional festival called Shemini Atzeret (Num. 29:35). Atzeret comes from the Hebrew root word meaning “to hold back.” Therefore, the Hebrew Sages interpret this to mean that God is asking all His people who made pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Sukkot to stop or tarry with Him another day. It’s like a king who invites his sons to dine with him for several days, but when the time comes for them to leave, the king asks them to stay one more day because of his love for them (Rashi on Leviticus 23:36). Shemini Atzeret can be seen as simply a day to celebrate God’s special relationship with those He loves.
Significantly, remaining or abiding an extra day with the Lord beyond the fullness of the seven days of Sukkot can represent the eternal state of perfection. Sukkot’s seven days represent the millennial reign of Messiah Yeshua – the olam habah. So, Shemini Atzeret can represent the additional reality of the eternal state of perfection, which is the Day of the New Heavens and the New Earth (Isa. 65:17; Rev. 21:1).
“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
Give em heaven!!!
Robin Main
Written October 23, 2024 – Sapphire Throne Ministries – Robin Main. Copyrighted – If you are going to copy this, please copy it right by giving attributions to this source. Blessings!
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