Dark Moon/New Moon 🌒

Genesis 1:16 (KJV)

"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also."

We understand the “two great lights” to be the sun and the moon. Their roles are clearly outlined: the sun rules the day, and the moon rules the night. But does the Bible explicitly state the exact phase or appearance of the moon at its creation? No, it does not—so we do not speculate.

Even if it did, for example, mention that the moon was full at its creation, there would still be no indication of the season or time of the month. Therefore, we apply the principle of not going beyond what is written.

New Moon: A Logical Comparison

Let’s consider a simple analogy. If I ask for a fresh bucket of water and you bring me one, it will be empty—not full. The same logic applies to the concept of a “new moon.” It starts dark, an empty slate, and gradually increases in light.

Just as a new biblical day begins in darkness and then increases into light until the brightness of noon, so too does the moon cycle. The full moon occurs midway through the lunar cycle, just like the sun’s light peaks around mid-day.

General vs. Specific Function in Genesis 1:16

Genesis 1:16 gives us a general description of the sun and moon’s purpose: to divide day from night, and for signs, seasons, days, and years. We understand this is a general function because, while the sun rules the day, it does not determine months. The moon, however, is directly connected to determining months and specific biblical feast days.

Sirach 43:6–8: The Moon’s Divine Function

Sirach 43:6–7 (KJV)

"He made the moon also to serve in her season for a declaration of times, and a sign of the world. From the moon is the sign of feasts, a light that decreaseth in her perfection."

These verses describe the moon as a sign for feast days. A light that decreases in its perfection points directly to the full moon—its brightest state—gradually fading.

Sirach 43:8 (KJV)

"The month is called after her name, increasing wonderfully in her changing, being an instrument of the armies above, shining in the firmament of heaven."

This verse confirms that the month begins when the moon is dark, increasing as it moves through its phases.

Why the Full Moon Matters for Feasts

Consider this: how can the moon be a sign of feasts if Passover begins on a dark moon? It cannot. The moon must be full—bright and visible—to serve as a sign for the feast.

The 15th day of the first month is when the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins, directly following the Passover. This is confirmed in Scripture:

Leviticus 23:5–6 (KJV)

"In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread."

This positions the full moon in the middle of the month, further proving that the new moon must begin in darkness to align the full moon with the 15th day.

Psalms 81:3 – Decoding the Appointed Time

Psalms 81:3 (KJV)

"Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day."

This verse references both the “new moon” and the “time appointed.” Let’s examine the original Hebrew for clarity:

• New moon / Month: H2320 – chôdesh – Often used interchangeably for both 'new moon' and 'month'.

• Time appointed: H3677 – kese' – Properly refers to “fulness” or “full moon.”

So, this verse refers to the feast that occurs during the full moon, in the middle of the month—specifically, Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Conclusion: The Scriptural Pattern is Clear

From Genesis to Psalms to Sirach, the Scriptures paint a consistent picture: the moon’s cycle begins in darkness, increases in light, peaks at full moon, then decreases again.

• The new moon is a fresh start—darkness.

• The full moon marks the middle of the month and aligns with feast days.

• The biblical day begins in darkness and follows the same pattern.

The moon is a timekeeper and sign—divinely orchestrated by the God of Israel for His people to mark sacred time. This understanding not only upholds biblical consistency, it also harmonizes with natural observation.

Let us continue to seek wisdom in the Word and reject traditions not rooted in Scripture. As it is written:

Isaiah 8:20 (KJV)

"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."