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Hebrew Calendar before Meton
Hi everyone. 
As you know, the modern Jewish calendar employs the 'Metonic Cycle' to marry its solar and the lunar aspects. But how were soli-lunar calendars synched before Meton? The following is what I found concerning astronomy found in the Bible. We assume that they copied from superior Babylonian/Egyptian astronomers. Apparently not; but please read on:
In 432 BC Meton of Athens developed the 19-year Metonic calendar cycle, and from about the Greek empire era other calendars began to adopt Meton's system. The Jews were no exception. During these years they compromised their ancient Sabbath-based system, changed New Year to Tishri, and stopped observing Jubilee. Shmita (the Sabbatical Years) continued but began in Tishri, rather than Nisan when New Year was supposed to be.
It begs the question; how did the Hebrew calendar synchronise the Sun and Moon before Meton? The answer is found in the Bible. They used a 49-year Sabbatic cycle starting New Year, 1st of Nisan, immediately following the previous block of forty-nine. (Exodus 12:2)
From there they intercalated months as required until the 10th day of the 7th month of the 49th year, upon which a special 50th year was announced. (Lev.25:8-9) This might seem strange until it is noticed how an astronomical formula is at work. The gap between the two events comes to 17718 days - a figure equaling exactly 600 months. (lunar months average 29.53 days) This gap is always the same.
Now, 600 months equal 50 lunar years which explains why the Jubilee year is superimposed over the other years. In short, 481/2 solar years equal 50 lunar years, so the 'overlaid' Jubilee is a device that equalises the solar and lunar cycles to 50 years each, after which the new cycle began afresh.
Now, I may not have all the details right
but tell me if we aint on to something here?
Ged
As you know, the modern Jewish calendar employs the 'Metonic Cycle' to marry its solar and the lunar aspects. But how were soli-lunar calendars synched before Meton? The following is what I found concerning astronomy found in the Bible. We assume that they copied from superior Babylonian/Egyptian astronomers. Apparently not; but please read on:In 432 BC Meton of Athens developed the 19-year Metonic calendar cycle, and from about the Greek empire era other calendars began to adopt Meton's system. The Jews were no exception. During these years they compromised their ancient Sabbath-based system, changed New Year to Tishri, and stopped observing Jubilee. Shmita (the Sabbatical Years) continued but began in Tishri, rather than Nisan when New Year was supposed to be.
It begs the question; how did the Hebrew calendar synchronise the Sun and Moon before Meton? The answer is found in the Bible. They used a 49-year Sabbatic cycle starting New Year, 1st of Nisan, immediately following the previous block of forty-nine. (Exodus 12:2)
From there they intercalated months as required until the 10th day of the 7th month of the 49th year, upon which a special 50th year was announced. (Lev.25:8-9) This might seem strange until it is noticed how an astronomical formula is at work. The gap between the two events comes to 17718 days - a figure equaling exactly 600 months. (lunar months average 29.53 days) This gap is always the same.
Now, 600 months equal 50 lunar years which explains why the Jubilee year is superimposed over the other years. In short, 481/2 solar years equal 50 lunar years, so the 'overlaid' Jubilee is a device that equalises the solar and lunar cycles to 50 years each, after which the new cycle began afresh.
Now, I may not have all the details right
but tell me if we aint on to something here?Ged
This pre-Greece system may be even more accurate than the Metonic cycle?
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