Part II: Conception Date vs. Birth Date of Jesus
The Actual Time of Year of Jesus’ Birth(and of his conception)
By Marty Cohenhttp://www.MessianicMessages.com
Last
week, I touched on a very sensitive topic. Today,
I am going to barge ahead with vigor! Although it deals with a holiday celebrated
in a few months, it is, I believe, very closely connected to this
Feast which ends tonight. You
will probably need to print this one out and study it for while,
but please do not dismiss it until you do.
I think Every year, we are confronted by Christians who ask me what about celebrating Christmas. Carol and
I have raised five children, two from Carol’s previous marriage
and three from mine. Hers grew up in the Catholic church, and mine
grew up as secular Gentiles, raised by their mother and her second
husband. In their later years, three of them were raised
in our home and were exposed to and came to embrace a personal
relationship with the L-rd, Yeshua. Although at home in Messianic
worship and observance, they always expected a tree and
presents
at the end of the year. Year after year, we struggled and year
after year, we succumbed to their happiness. This year, they are
all grown, and we decided to spend the season renewing our understanding
of the people, the place, and the time of His birth. That time
was almost certainly not December 25th, and in this teaching, I
will address that issue among others.
The New Testament itself is the source for the calculation of the date
of the birth of the Messiah. The birth of Yeshua during the week
of Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) and specifically on Simhat
Torah (the last day of the feast)coincides with the one feast and
the one week of the Hebrew year which commemorates the Sh’chinah
(Glory of God) tabernacling among men"
and the Torah itself "coming to life."
This birth date would establish a Chanukah (around December 25) "miraculous
conception" of the Messiah. And, this would more literally "fulfill"
the inspired and revelatory purposes of both of these celebrations:
Simhat Torah commemorates the advent of the Torah. And, as the Gospel
of John tells us, "the Word became flesh." Chanukah is the
commemoration of a miraculous eight-day supply of oil for the light
in the Temple menorah, when the supply should only have been sufficient
for one day. What better day for the Radiant Glory of HaShem to bring
the "Light of the World" into the womb of a young Jewish
virgin?
Let’s
look at the time span of about nine months from the first day of
Chanukah to the first day of Sukkot and the last day of Sukkot,
285 to 293 days, respectively. This is within the normal human
gestation period or the period from conception to delivery. The
first day of Sukkot is a viable option for the birth of Yeshua
since the circumcision would have occurred on Simhat Torah and
life is counted as beginning when a male child survives to the
day of circumcision eight days after his birth, at which time he
formally receives his name.
First, we must establish the date of Miriam’s (Mary’s) conception by
marking the birth of Jochanan (John the Baptist), who preceded
Yeshua in birth by six Hebrew months. In order to determine this
date we must first determine the date of Zacharias’ angelic visitation.
This is provided through the cycle of duties of the priests in
the Temple and through knowing the "course"
of service under which Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, served.
The Bible tells us clearly that Elisheva (Elizabeth, the mother of John)conceived
immediately after Zacharias returned home from his priestly service. Luke
1:5 also states that Zacharias was a priest of the "course
of Abijah." 1 Chronicles 24 divides the priestly families
into 24 groups or "courses." 1 Chronicles 24:10 designates
the "eighth course"
as that of Abijah.
Each course had
by all
of the men of
Zacharias’ first course of duty therefore fell from 27 Iyar to the eve
of Shavu’ot (Pentecost) on the fifth day of the month of Sivan.
During the two-day festival of Shavu’ot, Zacharias would have been
obligated to remain and serve with all of the priests in Jerusalem
even though he was unable to speak during this time.
So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order
of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his
lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the L-rd.
And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the
hour of incense. Then an angel of the L-rd appeared to him, standing
on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw
him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said
to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard;
and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call
his name John. (Luke 1:8-13)
Zacharias would have returned home to his wife, Elisheva on 8 Sivan.
So 8 Sivan becomes the earliest possible date for the conception
of Yochanan by Elisheva. Assuming
the long-held belief that the menstrual cycle usually coincided
with the phases of the moon, with most women having their most
fertile period during the first week of the new moon, (which also
marks the beginning of Hebrew months), she could have conceived
that very day. Luke 1 indicates that the conception occurred
"soon after" Yochanan returned from his priestly duties. Knowing the desire of a childless man for a
son, most probably very soon after.
And so it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that
he departed to his own house. Now after those days (of his
Assuming that Elisheva conceived on 8 Sivan, she would have hidden herself
the five months of Sivan, Tammuz, Av, Elul, Tishrei and the first
week of Cheshvan. So the
angel, Gabriel would have been sent to Miriam in the sixth month
of Elisheva’s pregnancy or during the latter part of Cheshvan or
early part of the month of Kislev. We know that the conception
took place sometime after the appearance of the angel from two
accounts: And when eight
days were completed for the circumcision of the child, his name
was called Yeshua, the name given by the angel before he was conceived
in the womb. (Luke 2:21) And having come in, the angel said to
her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the L-rd is with you; blessed
are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled
at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.
Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you
have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive
in your womb and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Yeshua. "He
will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the
Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. "And
he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom
there will be no end." Then Mary said to the angel, "How
can this be, since I do not know a man?" And
the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will
come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you;;
therefore, also, that holy one who is to be born will be called
the Son of God. (Luke 1:28-35)
The most appropriate time and the most appropriate celebration for an
unusual conception by Miriam would have been the first day of Chanukah,
which commemorates a "miracle" of light and which is
probably the day that Miriam was herself overshadowed by the Ruach
Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) and conceived.
The evening of the 24th of Kislev marks the beginning of Chanukah, which
celebrates the occasion of the rededication of the Temple when
oil for the menorah expected to last only one day actually lasted
eight days. Chanukah, also called the Feast of Dedication, would
have occurred from the 164th to the 172nd days of Elisheva’s
pregnancy or just as she was about to enter her third trimester.
"Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in
her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called
barren.
"For with God nothing will be impossible. (Luke 1:36-37)
Until God could send an angel to speak to Joseph about Miriam’s unusual
conception,
Miriam went to live with Elisheva and her husband Zacharias, to
assist her cousin with the demands of her pregnancy. She remained
with Elisheva for three months. Again, assuming a conception on
8 Sivan, Elisheva would have been, during the week of Passover,
at full-term, especially for a child born from the womb of a mother
of advanced years. And Mary
remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she
brought forth a son. (Luke 1:56-57)
Remember that Yeshua himself identified Yochanan as having the mantle
of Eliyahu. Interestingly, the Jewish people to this day, set a
place for Eliyahu (Elijah) during the Passover Seder meal. Passover
would therefore be the most appropriate week for the birth of Eliyahu
and of Yochanan HaMikvot (John the Baptiser). Making the 8th day
of Passover the day which actually coincided with Yochanan’s circumcision.
Exactly six months later, from Nisan 15 to Tishrei 15, the first day
of Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) follows the Passover. If Miriam
conceived on Kislev 24, the first day of Chanukah, Yeshua would
have been full-term (in a younger woman) on the 15th to 22nd of
Tishrei. Again, since life is reckoned to begin after a male child
is circumcised and the child is customarily not given a name unless
it survives to be circumcised, either date qualifies as a "birthday" for
Yeshua.
The 22nd of Tishrei (8th day of the Feast), is Simhat Torah, which literally
means "the rejoicing of the Torah." On this day, the
rabbis in the synagogues take the Torah scrolls out of their sacred
places and dance with them around the synagogue and even in the
surrounding streets as though the Torah had come to life.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory,
glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and
truth. (John 1:14)
During the Feast of Tabernacles, every male Israelite is required to
come to Jerusalem and abide in tents or primitive lean-tos called
sukkot. The Hebrew word sukkot describes "stables" or
lodging places for animals as reflected in Genesis 33:17.
And Jacob journeyed to Sukkoth, built himself a house, and made Sukkoth
(booths)for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called
Sukkoth. (Genesis 33:17).
Dwelling in these booths seven days and nights out of every year, which
were no better than shelters constructed for animals, served to
remind the Hebrew people that these were their ancestor’s normal
shelters for the 40 years their ancestors lived in the wilderness.
Could this animal shelter be the traditional place known by the Greek
term "manger" in which the Child was laid? Having "no
room in the inn" on the Feast of Tabernacles these holy pilgrims
to Jerusalem could have found a place in one of these Sukkot.
According
to scripture, they could not return to their homes immediately
because they must register for the census imposed by Herod. This
massive annual visitation to Jerusalem during Sukkot was the most
logical time for Herod to impose his census and tax. It is important
to note that the Chanukah season, which coincides with the traditional
December 25th birthdate for Yeshua, does not make such a demand
for the sons of Israel to journey to Jerusalem, and would have
been a very impractical time to collect a tax and to count the
population.
Matthew 2:7-8, 16 states that Herod inquired "diligently" of
the wise men (magi). These magi are believed to be Parthian mystics
who lived East and North of the Euphrates at the end of the Persian
empire. Parthia was a kingdom whose power rivaled Rome in the First
Century. The royal class (from which Parthian kings were chosen
by a combined vote of the magi and the royal class) were known
as "Kings of Kings." Apparently this custom carried over
from earlier Persian rule. For instance, both Artaxerxes and Nebuchadnezzar,
are referred to in
Scripture
by this title. (Ezra 7:12, Ezekiel 26:7 and Daniel 2:37).
The magi also believed that the blessing of Jacob to Judah, that the
scepter (of rule) should not depart from Judah (Genesis 49:10)
meant that even the nations (other people groups) should be ruled
by kings of Israel. This belief coupled by the appearance of the
Star of Bethlehem convinced them that a true
"King of Kings" selected by the hand of God, was to be found
among the House of David within Judea.
As a "king of the Jews" Yeshua was an early candidate for kingship
in the Parthian empire, which had always remained friendly to Judah,
and which many scholars -- including the first century historian,
Josephus – wrote, comprised the vast hordes of the assimilated
northern kingdom who had escaped Assyrian exile.
At any rate, Herod had inquired of these knowledgeable magi and must
surely have known when Yeshua was born although they did not return
to him as he had commanded.
Now when they (the magi) had seen him, they made widely known the saying
which was told them concerning this child. (Luke 2:17)
This would make it dangerous for Joseph and Miriam to bring Yeshua to
the
Josephus relates that Herod became very ill immediately following an
act of impiety against the priesthood, at which time an eclipse
of the moon occurred. This
eclipse, the only one mentioned by Josephus, happened March 13,
4 BC. Herod’s death occurred "about
September" meaning he would have been ill for several months
before dying in the fall, according to Josephus’ record. The seven
days of Sukkot fall in mid-September to October, according to the
Julian calendar. This means that Herod, who first grew sick in
the spring of 4 BC, died after the Feast of Tabernacles and shortly
after Joseph and Miriam had fled with
the infant,
Yeshua. But they returned, after Herod’s death, in time for his
dedication in the Temple, when Yeshua was 40 days old, around Kislev
12 or the day we now call Thanksgiving Day. An interesting aside
is that many believe our observance of Thanksgiving is due to the
Pilgrim’s keeping the Torah’s tradition of this Feast of Tabernacles.
During this presentation of the infant Yeshua in the Temple, the prophecies
of Simeon and Hanna were delivered to Joseph and Miriam. Those
prophecies from Isaiah, coincide with the readings of the prophets
read in the synagogue only one time a year ... the week of Kislev
12.
Then, there is the prophecy of Simeon as he beheld the infant Yeshua
in the Temple when he was 40 days old.
And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the child,
his name was called Yeshua, the name given by the angel before
he was conceived in the womb. Now when the days of her purification
according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought him
to Jerusalem to present him to the L-rd (as it is written in the
law of the L-rd, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called
holy to the L-rd"), and to offer a sacrifice according to
what is said in the law of the L-rd, "A pair of turtledoves
or two young pigeons." And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem
whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting
for the Consolation of Israel, (Luke 2:21-25a)
These words by Simeon paraphrase the two-pronged mission of Messiah recorded
in Isaiah 49:5-6: "And now the L-rd says, Who formed me from
the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, so that
Israel is gathered to Him (For I shall be glorious in the eyes
of the L-rd, and my God shall be my strength), Indeed He says,
'It is too small a thing that you should be my servant to raise
up the tribes of Jacob,and to restore the household of Israel;
I will also give you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should
be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
As Yeshua may have hinted, the first mission of "restoring the preserved
of Israel" would be last, and the last mission "becoming
a light of salvation to the Gentiles" would be first.
So, how have we gotten so confused in our observation of the birth of
Yeshua? Many speculate and accuse the Church of heresy and of pagan
practice. Many bring condemnation upon the Church for straying
so far from Torah and from the Times of the L-rd. That is not my
mission; that is not the purpose to which I have been called. I
have been called to be a "light for the gentiles." I
have been called to the Gentile majority of the Body of Messiah.
I have been called to present to you the truth, but with the love
of Aaron, who always sought unity for the sake of the Word of G-d
and always went out of his way to bring peace to the people of
G-d. It is that peace that I bring to you.
Was Jesus born on December 25th? Probably not. Was He born? Absolutely.
Is He the very nature of G-d, bodily sent to reveal the Father
to His children? Without
question. He was, in fact, probably conceived on the day to which
we ascribe His birth. When does life begin? At birth? At conception?
When your youngest graduates from college, gets married and has
a good job in a state far away? Life for us must begin when we
allow Yeshua, the Giver of life to rule and to reign in our hearts.
He is the reason we celebrate the Feasts of the L-rd and He is
the reason we celebrate Christmas. He
is the focus of our lives and of our ministry. When you sit in
your Sukkah and share special times with your family, realize that
it is to celebrate that Yeshua tabernacles with us. When
you decorate your homes and adorn a tree this December, realize
that it is G-d who gives us the power to get wealth. Realize that
2000 years ago, in a town just South of Jerusalem, the King of
kings was sent to die for us all. Remember that Jesus is the reason
for the season. Focus on the manger (or the Sukkah) not on the
gifts under the tree. Focus on Jesus, not Santa Clause. We are
not going to change over a thousand years of tradition with this
message. But we can change our hearts, we can change our plans,
we can change our future.
This season, pray for the peace of Jerusalem. This season, pray like never before that the
people through whom the Messiah came would see Him for Who He is.
Psalm 122 commands that we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. James
5: 16 promises that the effective fervent prayer of a righteous
man avails much. Does that mean that if we pray really hard, for
peace that we will see it? No, it means we must pray effectively.
How? "The nations cry, "Peace, peace, but here is no
peace." And there will be no peace in Jerusalem until the
Prince of Peace rules in the heart of every Jewish person in the
world; Jerusalem is the heart of every Jew and we must all rest
in shalom.
So, pray for the salvation of Jewish people. Pray for the salvation of
a Jewish person whom the L-rd has placed into your life. Next,
be their friend. Send them cards at Chanukah, at Passover, and
at Rosh Hashanah. Be there for them. And "have a good answer
when you are asked of the hope that is in you." Expect to
be asked why you are always there, why you are always confident,
why you are always so expectant of good. Then, let our answer always
be Yeshua is the Messiah of Israel and He is my hope. Never shrink
back from an opportunity to bring the truth of the gospel to a
Jewish person; to do so is to be involved in the greatest holocaust
in history.
I hope
you still love me and will continue to pray for us.
Marty Cohen,
http://www.MessianicMessages.com
This
information is not being provided to stir controversy in the seemingly
never-ending debate about the actual time of year Jesus was born
on. To my way of looking at it, Marty’s information
is pretty sound. Looking
at the information provided by the Scriptures in the four gospels
through a Jewish lens or paradigm seems to yield information about
the conception and birth dates of Yeshua that Gentile Christian
scholars have for centuries been unable to decipher. Why? The cipher is a Jewish one, which best unlocks the missing information within the
four gospels, which were written by the Holy Spirit through four Jewish men. This information should help us to put together and understand
some pretty awesome miracles God was performing to protect the
Jewish ethnic culture Jesus would be born into, to restore the
sanctity of the temple where essential legal ceremonial rituals
would have to be performed for and on Jesus right after his birth,
all necessary if he were to fulfill the requirements of being the
Messiah. So we find the
Festival of Lights itself has a far deeper and more significant
meaning, in that the Light of the world John spoke of in John 1,
actually entered into Mary and brought about her immaculate conception
of the Himself, the Savior, Jesus, Yeshua of Nazareth. It’s
very interesting how at Christmas time the neighborhood fills up
with lights, everywhere trees, houses, shrubs, all lighted up with
lights, Christmas trees lighted up with lights everywhere--how
truly symbolic of the time when this very brilliant (but invisible
to human eyes) speck of light came down from the heavens and entered
into Mary and caused one of her eggs to become a invisibly brilliant
glowing embryo who nine months later would became Jesus, Yeshua
of Nazareth. That is how the Messianic Jewish believers
are beginning to see this history, as they begin to unravel it
using a Jewish lens, paradigm, to unlock Scriptures inspired by
the Holy Spirit, but written by Jews.
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