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Statement of belief: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word
is truth.” (John 17:17 KJV)
Created 5929± 09 08 2025 [2008-12-08]
Updated 5940[(?)] 02 17 2026 [2010-10-26]
– Notice: This article has been
completely revised [as of early October 2010; beginning with my recognition, at
the end of the last prior Scripture year, of the crucifixion year being 19 CE
and not 18 CE,] in comparison to my prior
version!
Esther’s book: Calendar Considerations
and the Beginning of the 490 years
Prior to Yeshua’s Victory over Satan and over the
Kingdom of Death
Abstract:
What calendar is being used in the book of Esther? Is the year being reckoned from Aviv 1 or else from Tishri 1 or 22? What details if any may we identify in the book of Esther that will shed light upon this issue? Why is this matter a matter of importance? May the book of Esther be used for helping identifying more exactly the beginning of the reign of Ahasuerus? (It does!)
Having identified thus far seven different specific days of the week within the Book of Esther, and having found calendrical support for exactly placing each and all of those days on the calendar, I will then proceed to demonstrate how these data will help us distinguish between the regnal year reckoning beginning in the spring and/or the regnal years beginning in the fall. Lastly, I’ll show how all of these data serves as proof that the author of Esther recognized and defined the beginning of the Scripture year in terms of the Eighth Day, HagHaAzer, the 22nd day of the seventh month, aka. Tishri 22.
In the final analysis, it becomes obvious that the author of the Book of Esther is using pure Scriptural reckoning as its primary reference and foundation, but it is also obvious that the Babylonian calendar is being used as a secondary reference in order to provide certain explanatory remarks, which, like bracketed comments, should not truly be considered part of the original document per se, that is, whether or not inserted by the original author or by a later editor. These explanatory remarks are clearly identifiable throughout the Book of Esther, that is, written as they are on the format “in the xth [Scripture] month, that is, the [Babylonian name] month in the yth year of Ahasuerus…]” Another format for the same would be “in the xth [Scripture] month [that is, the … [Babylonian name] month in the yth [Babylonian] year of Ahasuerus…]” I believe that the latter format would be less likely to cause confusion. That is, using four bracketed comments for the purpose of making clear which specific calendars are being referenced, and that the words within brackets are not truly part of the document as such, but serving as explanatory comments[1] only.
All the specific dates (e.g. days of
the week etc. vs. dates of the month) recorded in the Book of Esther, once
recognized, constitute very strong evidence indeed, even astronomical vs.
historical record type proof, that the original Purim event began with one
specified day, and none other, that is, upon
Adar 13 in the 12th Babylonian and in the 12th Scriptural
regnal year of Ahasuerus/Xerxes [the day beginning at sunset Sat April 5, 473
BCE.] This is an important point in time to establish firmly and exactly, given
that it constitutes the beginning of the 490 year
prophecy of Daniel 9 ending at the beginning of the year of crucifixion and
resurrection of Yeshua, the Messiah. Which situation exactly parallels
Babylon’s fall in the year immediately following upon the
conclusion of the 70 years in Babylon!
2 Chronicles 36:21 KJV To fulfil the word of the
LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as
she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
To add even more significance to the importance
of this particular year in God’s timetable, please consider this: As best I can
tell, the Ark of the Covenant disappeared out of Jerusalem exactly 490
Scriptural years prior to the year of the original Purim event!!! For details
and simplicity of reckoning please cf. the tag ‘6000+ years’ within my most
recent version (currently version VIII.2.0) of my file ‘The Sacred Calendar of
the Creator in Progress…’ as available for download under this link…
Considerations:
Dating
the feast of Esther 1:1, 4, 10, and most especially dating
the 7th Day referenced in verse 10:
The date “Elul 18 = Pachons 28, year 15 of Xerxes” provided in one of the double dated Elephantine papyrus (AP 5) may be exactly placed in an astronomically defined Julian calendar between sunset Sept 12 and sunrise Sept 13, 471 BCE. Likewise the date “Kislev 18 = Thoth [17], year 21” of AP 6 may be exactly placed between sunset Jan 2 and sunrise Jan 3, 464 BCE. Unfortunately there is no direct statement specifying which one of three different calendar reckonings (being used by the Elephantine scribes) is being used in these papyri, that is, whether the Egyptian, the Babylonian, or the Scripture calendar reckoning. Thus we do not know right off hand when “year 15 of Xerxes” began or when “year 21” began. However, based upon a certain analysis of the above said papyri being prompted by this [Oct 2010] revision of this article, I have discovered that both of those years refers to the Babylonian year beginning in the spring with Nisan 1, and in consequence of that finding I’ve been able to date the beginning of the reign of Xerxes / Ahasuerus to sometime between the beginning of Tishri 22, 486 BCE and Nisan 1, 485 BCE.
Because
we do not at the outset have a certain date for the beginning of Ahasuerus’
reign, neither do we know right off hand the exact placement in time of the
words “in the third year of his reign” (Esther 1:3 KJV.) That is, How are the Babylonian
and the Scripture years of the reign of Ahasuerus numbered relative to one
another, and to which one (or else both) of those two calendars is “the third
year of his reign” giving reference? Although it is quite clear that the Jewish
scribes at Elephantine did use, albeit rarely,
Egyptian calendar reckoning I know of no evidence that the bible is using such
Egyptian reckoning. More specifically, there is no evidence that the Book of
Esther is giving reference to the Egyptian calendar. Based upon the evidence provided
by the Elephantine papyri alone I find that the
beginning of Ahasuerus’ /Xerxes’ reign began sometime between Nisan 1, 486 BCE
and Nisan 1, 485 BCE. If Ahasuerus’ reign began prior to Tishri 22, 486
BCE, then Ahasuerus’ 1st Scriptural year of reign
began with Tishri 22, 486 BCE and the Scripture years of Ahasuerus’ reign will
be reckoned as beginning before
the correspondingly numbered Babylonian years, whereas if Ahasuerus’ reign
began after the beginning of Tishri 22, 486 BCE, then the opposite will be
true, i.e. the Scripture years will be reckoned as trailing the correspondingly
numbered Babylonian years. At any rate at this point we may conclude that
Ahasuerus’ 1st Babylonian year of reign
began with Nisan 1, 485 BCE.
Let’s
study the beginning of Esther carefully and see whether or not we can distinguish
anything that may help us distinguish which of the above options may be true:
Esther
1:3
בשׁנתH8141 שׁלושׁH7969 למלכוH4427 עשׂהH6213 משׁתהH4960 לכלH3605 שׂריוH8269 ועבדיוH5650 חילH2426 פרסH6539 ומדיH4074 הפרתמיםH6579 ושׂריH8269 המדינותH4082 לפניו׃H6440
Esther
1:4
בהראתוH7200 אתH853 עשׁרH6239 כבודH3519 מלכותוH4438 ואתH853 יקרH3366 תפארתH8597 גדולתוH1420 ימיםH3117 רביםH7227 שׁמוניםH8084 ומאתH3967 יום׃H3117
Esther
1:5
ובמלואתH4390 הימיםH3117 האלהH428 עשׂהH6213 המלךH4428 לכלH3605 העםH5971 הנמצאיםH4672 בשׁושׁןH7800 הבירהH1002 למגדולH1419 ועדH5704 קטןH6996 משׁתהH4960 שׁבעתH7651 ימיםH3117 בחצרH2691 גנתH1594 ביתןH1055 המלך׃H4428
Esther
1:10 ביוםH3117 השׁביעיH7637 כטובH2896 לבH3820 המלךH4428 בייןH3196 אמרH559 למהומןH4104 בזתאH968 חרבונאH2726 בגתאH903 ואבגתאH5 זתרH2242 וכרכסH3752 שׁבעתH7651 הסריסיםH5631 המשׁרתיםH8334 אתH854 פניH6440 המלךH4428 אחשׁורושׁ׃H325
Esther
1:13 ויאמרH559 המלךH4428 לחכמיםH2450 ידעיH3045 העתיםH6256 כיH3588 כןH3651 דברH1697 המלךH4428 לפניH6440 כלH3605 ידעיH3045 דתH1881 ודין׃H1779
Esther 1:3 TLT In the third year of his reign,
he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants;
the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being
before him:
Esther 1:4 TLT When
he shewed the riches of his glorious
kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, beginning with day one hundred and
fourscore.
Esther 1:5 TLT And in the accomplishment of those days, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, for seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
Esther 1:10 TLT On the Seventh Day [of the week and of the seven days of the
feast,] when the heart of the king was
merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
Esther 1:11
To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look
on.
Esther 1:12 TLT
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains:
therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
Esther 1:13 TLT
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and
judgment:
Esther 1:14 TLT And the next
unto him was
Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the
first in the kingdom;)
Esther 1:15 TLT
What shall we do
unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she
hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
Esther 1:3 KJV
In the third year of his reign,
he made a feast unto all his princes and his
servants; the power of Persia and Media,
the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
Esther 1:4 KJV When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the
honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore
days.
Esther 1:5 KJV And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace,
both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
Esther 1:10 KJV On the seventh day,
when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence
of Ahasuerus the king,
Esther 1:11
To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look
on.
Esther 1:12 KJV
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains:
therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
Esther 1:13 KJV
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and
judgment:
Esther 1:14 KJV And the next
unto him was
Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the
first in the kingdom;)
Esther 1:15 KJV
What shall we do
unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she
hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
Upon
comparing KJV with the Hebrew original I notice several things:
1.
The
last word of Esther 1:4 “יום” meaning ‘day’ in the Hebrew
original is written in the singular, that is, not in the plural, “days,” as
translated in KJV. Thus, the “180 days” of KJV seem to be an incorrect translation from one
singular specified day in the Hebrew. That is, “day number 180.”
2.
The
first Hebrew word of Esther 1:5, “ובמלואת,”specifically
the letter ‘-ב,’ a preposition before “מלואת”, indicates an event within the time
referenced by the word “מלואת,” not an event occurring after the completion
of that which is represented by the word “מלואת”meaning “to fill… or be full
of” (Strong’s H4390.) That is, not an event occurring after another former
event – as apparently indicated by KJV translation.
3.
The
“many days,” referenced in Esther 1:4, seems to be specifically defined by the
words “seven days” in Esther 1:5.
4.
“The
seventh day” of Esther 1:10, since it is not being further defined, seems to be
a reference equally to the Seventh Day of the week and to the 7th
day of the feast that began on the 180th day. Said “seventh day”
should thus correspond to the 186th day.
5.
I
find confirmation for #2 above in the following facts:
a.
The
“feast” referenced in Esther 1:1 is defined in verse 3 as given to princes and
servants both, not as two separate feasts given to two separate groups of people
at two separate times. This same arrangement is then once again reiterated in
verse 5. Indeed, in verses 10 and 14, the specific individuals of each of these
two groups, the princes and the servants, are even identified and named.
6.
This
finding represents a correction relative to my
prior work…
Now,
let’s see if we can determine in what years, per the Babylonian and/or the
Scriptural calendars, the 186th day fell on the 7th day
of the week. Given the above
referenced facts re the Elephantine papyri AP 5 and AP 6, we already know
that Ahasuerus’ 3rd Babylonian year began with Nisan 1, 483 BCE, that
is, two years subsequent to the
beginning of Ahasuerus’ 1st year of reign. We would like to know
also, if possible, when Ahasuerus’ 3rd Scripture year of reign began, that is, whether it began with Tishri 22, 484
BCE, or else with Tishri 22, 483 BCE.
If I
am not mistaken, one of these last three dates above, should constitute the 1st
day of “the third year of [Ahasuerus] reign” referenced in Esther 1:3.
Correspondingly, I will consider the possibilities as to whether one of the
above three days, 1) Tishri 22, 484 BCE; 2) Nisan 1, 483 BCE; 3) Tishri 22, 483
BCE; or else 4) HagHaOmer, the 1st of 50 days
in the count to Pentecost, prior to the corresponding “180th day” within
Ahasuerus’ “third year of reign.”
First
I will have to determine whether the 180th day following HagHaOmer falls within the same Scripture year as the
corresponding day #1, the 1st of 180 days: The earliest possible
Scripture date for HagHaOmer, which day always falls
on the Seventh Day Sabbath, is Nisan 15. Thus, I need to consider both Nisan 15, 483 BCE and Nisan 15, 482 BCE, for this
purpose. Nisan 1, 483 BCE began at sunset March
14 [Starry Night Backyard last rays sunset 17:44:09; last visible crescent
moonset 19:01:09; lag: 67 minutes 00 seconds; illumination: 2.13%] or April (12
[SNB sunset 18:00:52; moonset 18:45:32; lag: 44 min 40 sec; illumination: 0.72%]
or) 13 [SNB sunset 18:01:26; moonset
19:42:26; lag: 101 min 00 sec; illumination 3.40%,] 483 BCE. Nisan 1, 482 BCE began at sunset April 2 [SNB
sunset 17:55:04; moonset 19:22:00; lag: 86 min 56 sec; illumination: 2.62%] or
May 1 [SNB sunset 18:11:53; moonset 19:08:10; lag: 56 min 17 sec; illumination:
1.14%] or 2 [SNB sunset 18:12:30; moonset 20:06:10; lag: 113 min 40 sec,] 482
BCE. It follows that Nisan 15, 483 BCE began at sunset March [14+14=]28 or April ([12+14=]26 or) [13+14=]27, 483 BCE, and that
Nisan 15, 482 BCE began at sunset April [2+14=]16 or May [1+14=]15 or
[2+14=]16, 482 BCE. Adding 179 Julian days to each of those dates gives me the
following results:
1.
Sat March 28,
483 BCE + 179 Julian days = Wed September 23, 483 BCE (Julian day #1545273.) è
Add 6 days: Fri April 3, 483 BCE + 179 Julian days = Tue September 29, 483 BCE
(Julian day #1545279.) è Tishri 21 or 22, 483
BCE [SNB Sept 8 (Elul 29? or 30 [based on SNB August 9
sunset 18:33:16; moonset 18:58:37; lag: 25 min 21 sec;
illumination: 2.04%]) sunset 18:02:54; moonset 18:39:08; lag:
36 min 14 sec; illumination: 3.42%]
2. Sun April 26,
483 BCE + 179 Julian days = Thu October 22, 483 BCE (Julian day #1545302.) è
Add 5 days: Fri May 1, 483 BCE + 179 Julian days = Tue October 27, 483 BCE (Julian day
#1545307.) è Tishri 20 or 21, 483 BCE
3.
Mon April 27, 483
BCE + 179 Julian days = Fri October 23, 483 BCE (Julian day #1545303.) è
Add 4 days: Fri May 1, 483 BCE + 179 Julian days = Tue Oct
27, 483 BCE è Tishri
20 (or 21 [SNB Oct 7 sunset 17:26:31; moonset 17:50:58; lag 24 min 27 sec;
illumination 1.58%,]) 483 BCE.
4.
Fri April 16,
482 BCE + 179 Julian days = Tue October
12, 482 BCE (Julian day #1545657.) è Tishri 16 or
17, 482 BCE
5.
Sat May 15, 482
BCE + 179 Julian days = Wed November 10, 482 BCE (Julian day #1545686.) è
Add 6 days: Fri May 21, 482 BCE + 179 Julian days = Tue November
16, 482 BCE (Julian day #1545692.) è Tishri 21 or 22
[SNB October 26 (Elul 29 (or 30 [based on Sept 26 sunset 17:40:41; moonset
17:54:30; lag: 13 min 49 sec ; illumination 0.84%]))
sunset 17:04:57; moonset 17:45:07; lag: 40 min 10 sec; illumination:
1.47%,] 482 BCE
6.
Sun May 16, 482
BCE + 179 Julian days = Thu November 11, 482 BCE (Julian day #1545687.) è
Add 5 days: Fri May 21, 482 BCE + 179 Julian days = Tue November
16, 482 BCE (Julian day #1545692.) è Tishri 21 or 22
[SNB October 26 (Elul 29 (or 30 [based on Sept 26 sunset 17:40:41; moonset
17:54:30; lag: 13 min 49 sec ;
illumination 0.84%])) sunset
17:04:57; moonset 17:45:07; lag: 40 min 10 sec; illumination: 1.47%,]
482 BCE.
As may
be seen from the above results it is still a little uncertain whether or not
the 180th day is within the same Scripture year as is day #1 of 180.
Indeed, based upon the visibility of the 7th New Moon alone it is
certainly possible, though borderline, for the 180th day to fall on
Tishri 22 in either one of 483 BCE and 482 BCE. I believe that it is unlikely (especially considering the
summer solstice date in 483 BCE,) but not impossible, that aviv was ripe in
time for an Aviv 1 on March 14, 483 BCE. Likewise a May 1 or 2 Aviv 1, 482 BCE
may seem a bit late, but considering the summer solstice date in 482 BCE, such
a late date would be about 8 or 9 days more likely then
than it is now. Indeed, such a date would compare favorably with the situation
re the May 12, 19 CE crucifixion. However, as
may be seen above, if day #1 of 180 is, by Scripture definition, always a Seventh Day
Shabbat, then day #180 is always the Fourth Day of the week, beginning Tuesday
night at sunset. It follows that, if that is the case, then day #186, “the
seventh day” of the feast (Esther 1:10) could not ever fall on a Seventh Day
Shabbat, and my attempt here to find such a double date would be futile!
I
conclude that, if the 180th
day count is based upon HagHaOmer and if “the third
year” is a Scripture year, then the data given for this feast cannot be used
for determining the dates of “the third year” in terms of a Julian calendar.
Nevertheless, it is interesting indeed to notice that such a count brings us to
a date that could very well correspond to the Eighth Day Feast, HagHaAzeret, Tishri 22! At any
rate, for the purposes of this analysis, I find no further need to consider option #4 above re any date based upon HagHaOmer
and the 50 day count of Omer towards Pentecost!
Now,
let’s continue our quest for determining in which year day #186 out of the 180
count that fell on a Seventh Day Shabbat:
Let’s
begin by determining day #1 of the 180 for each of: 1) Tishri 22, 484 BCE; 2) Nisan
1, 483 BCE; 3) Tishri 22, 483 BCE…:
1) Re the beginning
of the Scriptural year 484 BCE:
a.
((Tishri 22, 484 BCE è [SNB Sept 18, 484 BCE sunset
17:50:14; moonset 18:07:14; lag 17 min 00 sec; illumination: 1.85%] è Sept 18 + 21 è Day
#1 of 180 beginning sunset Thu
Oct 9, 484 BCE (Julian day #1544924.)))
b.
Tishri 22, 484 BCE è (([SNB Sept 18, 484 BCE sunset
17:50:14; moonset 18:07:14; lag 17 min 00 sec; illumination: 1.85%])) è Sept 19 + 21 è Day
#1 of 180 beginning sunset Fri
Oct 10, 484 BCE (Julian day #1544925.)
c.
Tishri 22, 484 BCE è [SNB Oct 18, 484 BCE sunset 17:13:08;
moonset 18:06:29; lag: 53 min 20 sec; illumination 3.99%] è Oct
18 + 21 è Day #1 of 180 beginning sunset Sat Nov 8, 484 BCE (Julian day #1544954.
2) Nisan 1, 483 BCE began at sunset March 14 [Starry Night
Backyard last rays sunset 17:44:09; last visible crescent moonset 19:01:09;
lag: 67 minutes 00 seconds; illumination: 2.13%] or April (12 [SNB sunset 18:00:52; moonset
18:45:32; lag: 44 min 40 sec; illumination: 0.72%] or)
13 [SNB sunset
18:01:26; moonset 19:42:26; lag: 101 min 00 sec; illumination 3.40%,] 483 BCE.
3) Re the beginning
of the Scriptural year 483 BCE:
a.
Tishri 22, 483 BCE è [SNB Sep 8, 483 BCE sunset 18:02:54;
moonset 18:39:16; lag: 36 min 22 sec; illumination 3.42%] è Sep 8
+ 21 è Day #1 of 180 beginning sunset Tue Sep 29, 483 BCE (Julian day #1545279.
b.
(Tishri 22, 483 BCE è [SNB Oct 7, 483 BCE sunset 17:26:31;
moonset 17:51:03; lag: 24 min 32
sec; illumination 1.58%] è Oct 7 + 21 è Day
#1 of 180 beginning sunset Wed
Oct 28, 483 BCE (Julian day #1545308.)
c.
Tishri 22, 483 BCE è ([SNB Oct 7, 483 BCE sunset 17:26:31;
moonset 17:51:03; lag: 24 min 32
sec; illumination 1.58%]) è Oct 8 + 21 è Day
#1 of 180 beginning sunset Thu
Oct 29, 483 BCE (Julian day #1545309.
d. Tishri 22, 483
BCE è [SNB Nov 6, 483 BCE sunset 16:54:24; moonset 18:02:11;
lag: 67 min 37 sec; illumination 3.29%] è Nov 6 + 21 è Day
#1 of 180 beginning sunset Fri
Nov 27, 483 BCE (Julian day #1545338.
4) Nisan 1, 482 BCE began at sunset April 2 [SNB sunset
17:55:04; moonset 19:22:00; lag: 86 min 56 sec; illumination: 2.62%] or May 1 [SNB sunset
18:11:53; moonset 19:08:10; lag: 56 min 17 sec; illumination: 1.14%] or 2
[SNB sunset 18:12:30; moonset 20:06:10; lag: 113 min 40 sec,] 482 BCE.
We
can now proceed to determine which day the
corresponding 186th day would have fallen on. As follows:
1) Tishri 22, 484
BCE = Day #1 of 180 days:
a. Beginning at sunset
Thu Oct 9, 484 BCE + 185 days = the day beginning at sunset Sun Apr 12,
483 BCE (Julian day #1545109.)
b. Beginning at
sunset Fri Oct 9, 484 BCE + 185 days = the day beginning at sunset Mon
Apr 13, 483 BCE (Julian day #1545110.)
c.
Beginning at sunset Sat Nov 8, 484 BCE + 185 days
= the day beginning at sunset Tue May 12, 483 BCE (Julian day #1545139.)
2) Nisan 1, 483 BCE
= Day #1 of 180 days:
a. Beginning at
sunset Sat March 14, 483 BCE + 185 days = the day beginning at sunset
Tue Sept 15, 483 BCE (Julian day #1545265.)
b. Beginning at
sunset Mon April 13, 483 BCE + 185 days = the day beginning at sunset
Thu Oct 15, 483 BCE (Julian day #1545295.)
3) Tishri 22, 483
BCE = Day #1 of 180 days:
a.
Beginning at
sunset Tue September 29, 483 BCE + 185 days = the day beginning at sunset Fri Apr
2, 482 BCE (Julian day #1545464) [SNB Apr 2 sunset 17:55:04 (with Venus setting
also with the last rays of the sun at a distance of only 1° 6’ and with an
illumination of 99.98%; cf. the pictures below!) ; moonset 19:22:04 (setting
with a spectacular background of the Pleiades at a distance of only 2° 12’
36’’;) illumination: 2.62%] è
Nisan 1, 482 BCE!!!
b. Beginning at
sunset Wed September 30, 483 BCE + 185 days = the day beginning at
sunset Sat Apr 3, 482 BCE (Julian day #1545465.)
c.
(Beginning at sunset Wed October 28, 483 BCE + 185
days = the day beginning at sunset Sat May 1, 482 BCE (Julian day
#1545493.))
d. Beginning at
sunset Thu October 29, 483 BCE + 185 days = the day beginning at sunset
Sun May 2, 482 BCE (Julian day #1545494.)
e.
Beginning at sunset Fri November 27, 483 BCE + 185
days = the day beginning at sunset Mon May 31, 482 BCE (Julian day
#1545523.)
4) Nisan 1, 482 BCE
= Day #1 of 180 days:
a. Beginning at sunset Fri April 2, 482 BCE +
185 days = the day beginning at sunset Mon Oct 4, 482 BCE (Julian day
#1545649.)
b. Beginning at sunset Sat May 1, 482 BCE +
185 days = the day beginning at sunset Tue Nov 2, 482 BCE (Julian day
#1545678.)
c.
Beginning at
sunset Sun May 2, 482 BCE + 185 days = the day beginning at sunset Wed
Nov 3, 482 BCE (Julian day #1545679.)
I find only one possible day out of all these options
that fall on the Seventh Day of the
week: Nisan 1, 482 BCE. To me that
suggests that Adar, 482 BCE and the 180th day,
which day accordingly began at sunset Sat Mar 27, 482 BCE (Julian
day #1545458) [SNB Mar 3, 482 BCE sunset 17:36:54; moonset 18:29:22; lag: 52
min 28 sec; illumination: 1.03%;] è Adar
24, 482 BCE.
Spectacular
sunset with Venus (hidden by the light! – like all the secrets in the Book of
Esther ( = ”star”!!!)) and moonset with the Pleiades, as seen from the
Jerusalem horizon at the beginning of Nisan 1 [beginning at sunset Fri April
2,] 482 BCE, the Seventh Day of the feast of Ahasuerus, which feast began on
the 180th day, Adar 24, 482 BCE.
For
further considerations re the potential significance of Venus relative to the
180th day in the Book of Esther, and the reason and basis for
Ahasuerus’ feast, please consider the evidence under this link…
Conclusion re the data provided in Chapter 1 of
Esther:
If:
1)
“The
seventh day…” of Esther 1:10 is the Seventh Day weekly Shabbat;
2)
“The
180th day” referenced in Esther 1:4 is the first day of a seven day
long feast;
3)
The
1st day of 180 was also the 1st day of either the
Scriptural or the Babylonian calendar year;
If
so, then, based upon the above discoveries, I conclude that the primary
calendar being used in the Book of Esther is the Scripture calendar.
Considering also the fact that the day beginning at the sunset of the above
referenced Friday April 2, 482 BCE almost certainly fell out on Nisan 1, I find
strong confirmation for the above
translation and understanding of mine. That is, Nisan 1, 482 BCE, was the
seventh and last day of Ahasuerus’ feast and the 186 day in the same sequence
as the 180th day of Esther 1:4. Think of it! Isn’t it true that it
is known that the days at the end of the year in ancient times were days of
feasting and reveling, and days used for sacrificing to the gods due to the
many anciently derived fears associated with the end of the year?
Indeed, perhaps we might ask ourselves what date in the
Egyptian calendar that corresponds to the 180th day beginning the
above feast… But the 180th Scriptural and Babylonian day began 6
days prior to Fri April 2, 482 BCE, which is the day beginning at sunset
Saturday March 27, 482 BCE. Given that the Egyptian days began at sunrise, I find that per Egyptian reckoning the
180th day began at sunrise Sun March 28, 482 BCE, which day in the
Egyptian calendar is named Choiak 7, the 4th
Egyptian month. But this is far from the 5 days of Epagomenae at the end of the
Egyptian calendar… Thus, nothing of great interest there.
Well, to be sure, perhaps we should consider also the 180th
day beginning with day #1 being Thoth 1? But each month in the Egyptian
calendar has 30 days, which makes the 180th day the 30th
day of the 6th Egyptian month, Mechir. It
follows that day #186 fell on Phamenoth 6. Phamenoth 6 fell out as follows:
1) Phamenoth 6, 484 BCE = Beginning at sunrise Wed
June 25, 484 BCE
2) Phamenoth 6, 483 BCE = Beginning at sunrise Thu
June 25, 483 BCE
3) Phamenoth 6, 482 BCE = Beginning at sunrise Fri
June 25, 482 BCE
Well, the 1st Egyptian year began with Thoth 1
between Nisan 1, 486 BCE and Nisan 1, 485 BCE, that is, Thoth 1, 486. It
follows that the 3rd Egyptian year began with Thoth 1, 484 BCE,
while the 3rd Babylonian year began with Nisan 1, 483 BCE. Thus the
180th day of the Egyptian calendar would have necessarily fallen in
either 484 BCE or 483 BCE. The 3rd Scripture year would have begun
with Tishri 22 in either 484 or 483 BCE. Thus, option #3 above is not viable.
It follows that none of the above reckonings of the 180th and the
186th days could have possibly fallen out on the Seventh Day of the
week.
Lastly, I should mention that in 484 and 483 BCE the summer
solstice day fell out at sunrise on June 29.
Considering
further the first two Hebrew words “ובמלואת
הימים”at the beginning of Esther 1:5,
I ask myself whether those words may not apply simply to the last week at the
end of the last month, Adar, of the Babylonian calendar, paralleling the last
eight or nine days at the end of the 7th month of the Scripture
calendar, that is, from Tishri 22 through the end of the 7th month?
If so, a more correct translation of those words might be “And in the filling
of the days [at the end of the year]…”
But what Scripture year are we talking about? Well,
considering my very recent discoveries, as reflected under this link, it is clear that Ahasuerus
began his reign within the Babylonian year beginning with Nisan 1, 486 BCE. It
is clear that Ahasuerus’ 1st Babylonian year began with Nisan 1, 485
BCE and that his 3rd Babylonian year began with Nisan 1, 483 BCE and
said
“180th day,” Adar 24, 482 BCE, would constitute the beginning of
the last week of Ahasuerus’ 3rd Babylonian year of reign…
Considering the clear and unique findings thus far and
the fact that the very basis for the one spectacular solution is the 22 day of
the seventh month, which day is indeed the very first day of the Scripture
year, the Eighth Day Feast, the number 8 being the symbol of something
new!!!!!!!!, I certainly do consider this very strong evidence indeed
that the primary time reference used within the book of Esther is none other
than the Scripture calendar. Given that much and the fact that there is
nothing to indicate anything but that “the third year” referenced in Esther 1:3
is first and foremost a reference to the Scripture year.
Given then that the 180th day, as well as
the 1st and the 186th days, are all days within the 3rd
Scripture year, it follows that “the third year” of Esther 1:3 began with
Tishri 22, 483 BCE and also that the 1st Scripture year of Ahasuerus
began with Tishri 22, 485 BCE, that is, in the seventh month after the
beginning of Ahasuerus’ 1st Babylonian year. Thus, I conclude
that most likely, almost certainly, the Scripture years were trailing the
Babylonian years during the reign of Ahasuerus. If true, this would then tell
us also that Ahasuerus acceded to the throne between the beginning of Tishri
22, 486 BCE and Tishri 22, 485 BCE, indeed prior to Nisan 1, 485 BCE, as
previously determined!
But, to be more certain, let’s see what further
evidence we might be able to discover in the Book of Esther that may either
confirm or rule out the very suggestive evidence thus far found…
Next,
let’s consider another Esther passage (3:13) referencing a potential double
date,
i.e.
Day One of the week vs. the 13th day of the 12th month:
Esther 3:7 KJV In the first month, that is,
the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month
Adar.
Esther 3:12 KJV Then were
the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the
king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over
every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according
to the writing thereof, and to every people after their
language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the
king's ring.
Esther 3:13 KJV And the
letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill,
and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and
women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the
twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
Est 3:13 ונשׁלוחH7971 ספריםH5612 בידH3027 הרציםH7323 אלH413 כלH3605 מדינותH4082 המלךH4428 להשׁמידH8045 להרגH2026 ולאבדH6 אתH853 כלH3605 היהודיםH3064 מנערH5288 ועדH5704 זקןH2205 טףH2945 ונשׁיםH802 ביוםH3117 אחדH259 בשׁלושׁהH7969 עשׂרH6240 לחדשׁH2320 שׁניםH8147 עשׂרH6240 הואH1931 חדשׁH2320 אדרH143 ושׁללםH7998 לבוז׃H962
Esther 3:13 KJV And the lettersH5612 were sentH7971 byH3027 postsH7323 intoH413 allH3605 the king'sH4428 provinces,H4082 to destroy,H8045 to kill,H2026 and to cause to perish,H6 (H853) allH3605 Jews,H3064 both youngH4480 H5288 andH5704 old,H2205 little childrenH2945 and women,H802 in oneH259 day,H3117 even upon the
thirteenthH7969 H6240 day of the
twelfthH8147 H6240 month,H2320 whichH1931 is the monthH2320 Adar,H143 and to take the spoilH7998 of them for a prey.H962
Esther 3:13 TLT And the lettersH5612 were sentH7971 byH3027 postsH7323 intoH413 allH3605 the king'sH4428 provinces,H4082 to destroy,H8045 to kill,H2026 and to cause to perish,H6 (H853) allH3605 Jews,H3064 both youngH4480 H5288 andH5704 old,H2205 little childrenH2945 and women,H802 in DayH3117 One,H259 even upon the thirteenthH7969 H6240 day of the
twelfthH8147 H6240 month,H2320 whichH1931 is the monthH2320 Adar,H143 and to take the spoilH7998 of them for a prey.H962
Est 8:12 ביוםH3117 אחדH259 בכלH3605 מדינותH4082 המלךH4428 אחשׁורושׁH325 בשׁלושׁהH7969 עשׂרH6240 לחדשׁH2320 שׁניםH8147 עשׂרH6240 הואH1931 חדשׁH2320 אדר׃H143
Esther 8:12 KJV Upon oneH259 dayH3117 in allH3605 the provincesH4082 of kingH4428 Ahasuerus,H325 namely, upon the thirteenthH7969 H6240 day of the
twelfthH8147 H6240 month,H2320 whichH1931 is the monthH2320 Adar.H143
Esther 8:12 KJV Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month
Adar.
I’d like to inquire into certain details of timing pertaining to the above quoted passages…
My first question will be: Was the 13th day of the 12th month, the day when the Jews were to be killed, also Day One of the week? Furthermore, did that event in the 12th month occur in the same “twelfth year of king Ahasuerus [when] they cast Pur” (Esther 3:7?) Was the casting of Pur a method used by Haman daily, for almost a year, for the purpose of determining when to approach the king about this matter of his, or was he using this casting of Pur for the purpose of determining the date when the Jews were to be killed - even before he approached King Ahasuerus with his request? Either way, this behavior seems a little bit strange to me, but, of course, so does Haman’s overall objective…
Given 1) what we already know re the beginning of the reign of King Ahasuerus, and 2) that we wish to distinguish more clearly which 12th year we are talking about, that is, whether a Scripture calendar year or one of two possible Babylonian years… [Well, I have by now found another way of ruling out the possibility of the later Babylonian accession year option, the one beginning with Nisan 1, 485 BCE. Nevertheless, for the sake of confirmation, and for the purpose of double checking, I’ll retain that later (i.e. the 3rd) option below that I’ve already worked through before…] pertaining to the Babylonian calendar year, we need to identify the dates pertaining to each of these three options:
1)
Based upon Ahasuerus’ 1st Babylonian year beginning with
Nisan 1, 485 BCE è Ahasuerus’ 12th year began with Nisan 1, 474 BCE è the 13th day of the 12th month (Esther 3:13) =
Adar 13, 473 BCE
2)
Based upon Ahasuerus’ 1st
Scripture year beginning with Tishri 22, 485 BCE è Ahasuerus’ 12th year began with Tishri 22,
474 BCE è the 13th
day of the 12th month (Esther 3:13) = Adar 13, 473 BCE
3)
Based upon Ahasuerus’ 1st Babylonian year beginning with
Nisan 1, 484 BCE è Ahasuerus’ 12th year began with Nisan 1, 473 BCE è the 13th day of the 12th month
(Esther 3:13) = Adar 13, 472 BCE
Provided Nisan 1 was based upon aviv and a visible
New Moon crescent:
Adar
13, 473 BCE (-472) fell on the day beginning at sunset (Tue Feb 5 [SNB Jan 24 sunset 17:06:31; moonset
18:20:07; lag: 73 min 36 sec; illumination: 2.40%] or (Wed Feb 6,) or else)
(Wed Mar 5 [SNB Feb 22 sunset 17:30:18; moonset 18:18:34; lag: 48 min 16 sec; illumination: 1.16%] or) Thu
Mar 6, 473 BCE, or else Fri April 4 [SNB Mar 23 (Shebat 29 or 30) sunset
17:49:48; moonset 19:17:42; lag: 87 min 54 sec; illumination: 2.97%] or Sat
April 5, 473 BCE; and
Adar 13, 472 BCE (-471)
fell on the day beginning at sunset Jan 25 [SNB Jan 13 sunset 16:57:59; moonset
18:31:35; lag: 93 min 36 sec; illumination: 3.71%] Mon Feb 23 [SNB Feb 11
sunset 16:58:00; moonset 18:31:36; lag: 93 min 36 sec; illumination: 3.71%] (or
Tue Feb 24,) or else (Tue Mar 24 [SNB Mar 12 sunset 17:43:06; moonset
18:31:36; lag: 48 min 30 sec; illumination: 1.00%]
or) Wed Mar 25, or Thu April 23 [SNB
Apr 11 sunset 18:00:27; moonset 19:37:09; lag: 96 min 42 sec; illumination:
3.21%,] 472 BCE.
Provided Nisan 1 was based upon aviv and the astronomical New Moon (not upon a visible New Moon crescent:)
Adar 13, 473 BCE (-472) fell on the day beginning at sunset (Mon Feb 4, or else) Tue Mar 4 or Thu Apr 3, 473 BCE; and
Adar 13, 472 BCE (-471) fell on the day beginning at sunset Sun Feb 22, Mon Mar 23 or else Wed Apr 22, 472 BCE.
For
the sake of completion, let’s consider also the Egyptian calendar. It is easy
to check, so let me see what I may find in this regard:
Provided
the Egyptian calendar is used in the Book of Esther somehow, while replacing
Egyptian names of months with their corresponding Babylonian names and numbers
– very unlikely option indeed and one without precedence!:
???Adar
= 12th month = Mesore 13, 473 BCE (-472) fell on the day beginning
at sunset Wed Nov 26, 473 BCE; and
???Adar
= 12th month = Mesore 13, 472 BCE (-471) fell on the day beginning
at sunset Thu Nov 26, 472 BCE.
Well,
no reason to see anything in this idea, is there?!!!
In summary re Esther 3:13 and
8:12:
As seen above there is only one solution that satisfies the hypothesis that Esther 3:13 and Esther 8:12 are specifying Day One of the week relative to the 12th year of King Ahasuerus’ reign. This date, Adar 13 beginning at sunset April 5, 473 BCE, may at first glance seem to be too late for an Adar date, but upon considering the fact that at that time, 2 ½ millennia ago, the summer solstice fell out 8 or 9 days later than it does now (on June 29,) plus my recent finding that the Aviv 17 crucifixion fell on May 12, 19 CE, such a finding should probably be expected! Indeed, this finding may even seem to constitute evidence that those two passages are indeed referencing Day One of the week and that the decrees of Haman and of Mordecai were both able to predict in advance upon which day of the week that particular Adar 13 fell. How possible is that? Let’s consider the details of the New Moon crescent of Adar 1, 473 BCE once again: “SNB Mar 23 (Shebat 29 or 30) sunset 17:49:48; moonset 19:17:42; lag: 87 min 54 sec; illumination: 2.97%.” Well, given those parameters for a New Moon event today, would make that observation rather certain for an observation at that time of the year. Indeed, given my findings re the very precise abilities of the people at that time to predict the events on the celestial sky (evidenced for instance by the Antikythera Mechanism, which I have found to be most likely based upon knowledge derived from the 7th century BCE,) I believe that it may indeed be possible, even likely, that those decrees of Haman and Mordecai did specify both the day of the week and the day of the month! – As evidenced by Esther 3:13 and by Esther 8:12!
|
As
within brackets, I’d like to also include the following quotes from the
apocryphal portions of the Book of Esther. Notice in particular the words “the twelfth month Adar of this
present year,” those underlined
words being necessarily a reference to a Babylonian calendar, while not
possibly a reference to a Scriptural fall to fall year, that is, given that
this letter was issued in the first month, Nisan!: Esther (13:1) [Inserted after Esther 3:13 in KJV w/apocrypha] The copy of the letters was this: The great
king Artexerxes writeth
these things to the princes and governours that are
under him from India unto Ethiopia in an hundred and seven and twenty
provinces. Esther (13:6) [Inserted after Esther 3:13 in KJV w/apocrypha] Therefore have we commanded, that all they
that are signified in writing unto you by Aman, who
is ordained over the affairs, and is next unto us, shall all, with their
wives and children, be utterly destroyed by the sword of their enemies,
without all mercy and pity, the fourteenth day of the twelfth month Adar of this
present year: Esther (16:20) [Inserted after Esther 8:12 in KJV
w/apocrypha] And ye shall aid them, that even the same
day, being the thirteenth day of the twelfth month Adar, they
may be avenged on them, who in the time of their affliction shall set upon
them. |
Additionally I’d like to consider also the following suggestion (per the footnote found in the following quote out of the SDA Bible Commentary) re Ahasuerus’ 13th year of reign vs. said Day One passages of Esther 3:13 and 8:12:
- - - - - - - - - - - Begin quote - - - - - - - - - - - -
"The
chronological data supplied by the book of Esther are as follows:
Event Esther Year-Month-Day B.C. Date
The
great feast 1:3 3
--- --- Between Apr. 14, 483 - Apr. 2, 482
Esther
summoned 2:12 [6 10
?]
" Jan. 1, 479 - Jan. 30, 479
Esther
made queen 2:16 7 10
---
" Dec. 22, 479 - Jan.
19, 478
Haman
casts lots 3:7 12 1
---
" Apr. 5, 474 - May 3, 474
Haman's
decree 3:12 12* 1
13 Apr. 17, 474
Mordecai's
decree 8:9 12* 3
23
June 25, 474
Purim 3:13; 12* 12
13 March 6, 473
8:12;
9:1, 17-19
*) Some take this to be
the 13th year of Xerxes, suggesting that Haman cast lots over a period of
months to determine a favorable time for presenting his request to the king, rather
than a favorable date for slaying the Jews. It seems unlikely, however, that
Haman would be content to wait so long to effect his evil design.
[SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 3, p. 460:2-3.]
- - - - - - - - - - - End quote - - - - - - - - - - - -
First I notice in the quote the date for the Purim event, “March 6, 473,” which year does indeed agree with my above findings. Indeed, even to the extent of agreeing with my 12th Babylonian year, though at the time of Haman’s casting Pur it would have still been the 11th Scriptural year. The fact that the SDA Bible Commentary authors are assigning this event to a point in time one month earlier than I do, March 6 vs. April 5/6, 473 BCE, is a minor detail that may need correction as per the within study. Likewise I find it interesting to note that the last date, “Apr. 2, 482,” given as the end point of the one year range for “the great feast” is the very same day as I discovered above, i.e. the 186th day!
But let’s get to that footnote! Let’s begin by modifying the above calendar dates (pertaining to Ahasuerus’ 12th year of reign:)
1)
Based upon Ahasuerus’ 1st Babylonian year beginning with
Nisan 1, 485 BCE è Ahasuerus’ 13th year began with Nisan 1, 473 BCE è the 13th day of the 12th month
(Esther 3:13) = Adar 13, 472 BCE
2)
Based upon Ahasuerus’ 1st Scripture year beginning with
Tishri 22, 485 BCE è Ahasuerus’ 13th year began with Tishri 22, 473 BCE è the 13th day of the 12th month (Esther
3:13) = Adar 13, 472 BCE
3)
Based upon Ahasuerus’ 1st Babylonian year beginning with
Nisan 1, 484 BCE è Ahasuerus’ 13th year began with Nisan 1, 472 BCE è the 13th day of the 12th month
(Esther 3:13) = Adar 13, 471 BCE
Provided Nisan 1 was based upon aviv and a visible
New Moon crescent:
Adar 13, 472 BCE (-471)
fell on the day beginning at sunset Jan 25 [SNB Jan 13 sunset 16:57:59; moonset
18:31:35; lag: 93 min 36 sec; illumination: 3.71%] Mon Feb 23 [SNB Feb 11
sunset 16:58:00; moonset 18:31:36; lag: 93 min 36 sec; illumination: 3.71%] (or
Tue Feb 24,) or else (Tue Mar 24 [SNB Mar 12 sunset 17:43:06; moonset
18:31:36; lag: 48 min 30 sec; illumination: 1.00%]
or) Wed Mar 25, or else Thu April 23
[SNB Apr 11 sunset 18:00:27; moonset 19:37:09; lag: 96 min 42 sec;
illumination: 3.21%,] 472 BCE.
|
Notice: Given
the findings at this link re
Ahasuerus’ accession year, it follows that the following results pertain to
Ahasuerus’ 14th year of reign, and thus also that the comments in this box are obsolete
and of historic or academic interest only!: Adar 13, 471 BCE (-470) fell on the day beginning at
sunset Sat Feb 13 [SNB Feb 1 sunset 17:13:52; moonset 18:46:58; lag: 93
min 06 sec; illumination: 3.29%] or Sun Mar 14 [SNB Mar 2 sunset 17:36:26;
moonset 18:45:08; lag: 68 min 42 sec; illumination: 1.80%] or else As may be seen from the above results, the day
beginning at sunset Saturday Feb 13 also fell on the First Day of the week.
However, all things considered, based upon what we have learned above
regarding the placement of the months relative to the seasons, this potential
Feb 13 option is probably too early in the year. Probably due 1) to the later
summer solstice of two and a half millennia ago, and 2) to the aviv and lunar
crescent observations being limited to the Jerusalem area rather than to the
entire land of Israel… |
Accordingly, although not utterly impossible, the 13th year of reign options, suggested by the originators of this idea as reflected by the SDA Bible commentary, may be considered a little less likely than otherwise…
Further conclusions based upon
our study of the 1st, the 3rd and the 8th
chapters of the Book of Esther:
Thus far our findings are consistent with the Book of Esther using the Scripture calendar as it primary time reference. Consider especially its 180th day reference, which base seem to be none other than the very first day of the Scripture year, Tishri 22! Consider also the emphasis on the events pertaining to the Seventh Day in contrast to the events pertaining to Day One of the week as revealed by this study! Praise the Lord of Hosts, the Ancient of Days!... Yet, the regnal years provided by the Book of Esther are also compatible with the Babylonian calendar, which is indeed reckoning Ahasuerus’ accession from the year beginning with Nisan 1, 486 BCE.
|
Notice: Given
the findings at this link re
Ahasuerus’ accession year, it follows that the following results pertain to
Ahasuerus’ 14th year of reign, and thus also that the comments in this box are obsolete
and of historic or academic interest only!: If
it could be proven [Now disproven by the study under the above link!] that our last Sat Feb
13 option would be the correct option, then the reckoning of time used in the
Book of Esther would be based exclusively on the Babylonian calendar and not
on the Scripture calendar, but I do not consider this option very strong,
albeit perhaps possible. However, if that latter option were to hold true,
then that would place Yeshua’s crucifixion and resurrection in the 492nd
year, rather than in the 490th year as does the more acceptable
and likely alternative above. Basis
for my former errors analyzed: [I
noticed that somehow I had misplaced the date of Ahasuerus’ feast (but not
the Purim event or the date of Haman’s casting Pur) in my former version of
ScriptureChronology.xls by one year. With the current findings within this
article, this problem is now corrected such that apparently all things agree!
It becomes obvious that the reason for this misplacement of mine was due 1)
to my former belief that the Book
of Esther was being based primarily upon Babylonian calendar reckoning;
2) to my incorrect
understanding of the month vs. season placement (I was formerly placing
the months too early in the year,) which was corrected upon realizing my
error re the 18 CE vs. 19 CE crucifixion; and 3) that the casting of Pur and
the Purim event were both tied to Ahasuerus’ 12th year of reign,
and likewise for all events throughout the Book of Esther, that is, in
the absence of the Book of Esther specifying a new or different regnal year
for each and every date provided in a clear sequence of events, I used to
think that it would be understood that the last specified regnal year would
still hold relative to the primary calendar reference used for reckoning. Re
that last particular: Please notice that Day 180, the beginning of the great
feast, is tied to Ahasuerus’ 3rd Babylonian year of reign, whereas
the Seventh, and last, day of that feast fell on Nisan 1 in Ahasuerus’ 4th
Babylonian year of reign. Likewise, it is quite obvious that an event tied to
Month #1, Aviv/Nisan, in Ahasuerus’ 11th Scripture year, will
necessarily be followed 11 months later by an Adar in Ahasuerus’ 12th
year. That goes without saying and should not be reason enough for deterring
anyone from recognizing the Book of Esther’s use of the Scripture calendar
reckoning as its primary reference!] |
Some thoughts re the symbolism
behind the numbers 180 and 186:
Consider this 180 = 60 + 60 + 60 ! Add 6 to that to obtain 186! Do you perceive any ties to the number 600, 60, and 6 – or 666 – as reference in Revelation 13:18? What ties to you perceive between those numbers and Day One of the week, Sunday, within this study of the Book of Esther? How does that same day, Day One, tie into the Purim event on Adar 13? Now, whenever 1 is added to 6 the result is 7 as in perfecting something or purifying something, thus also if 7 would have been added to 3 x 60 = 180, or even by compressing such a 7 into the 180 to obtain 186. But, what will be the result when such a 7 is characterized, not by truly purifying things of the Creator of all, but instead by revelry, drunkenness, and the public display of women? On the other hand, I do believe there was some wisdom inherent in Ahasuerus’ and his cohort’s careful thoughts re how to handle a difficult situation re family affairs… Yes, there may be much learning in carefully considering God’s usage of numbers and math! Time not excluded!
What
day of the week was Mordecai’s decree issued?:
Esther 8:9 KJV Then were the
king's scribes called at that time in the
third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day
thereof; and it was written according
to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the
deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and
seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto
every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing,
and according to their language.
Considering the fact that the Seventh-day Sabbath observance has always been of great importance to the Jews, Mordecai would not likely get involved in issuing a decree on the Sabbath. Accordingly, let’s take a look at which day of the week that may correspond to the date given in Esther 8:9, i.e. the 23rd day of the 3rd month, Sivan. Given the dates that we have already found, we should be able to determine this day quite well:
1) We have found that the 186th day beginning at sunset Fri Apr 2, 482 BCE (Julian day #1545464) was Nisan 1, 482 BCE.
2) Day One of the week relative to the 12th year of King Ahasuerus’ reign. This date, Adar 13 beginning at sunset April 5, 473 BCE.
Notice how the two months above are placed relative to each other in their respective years! Notice how well they agree with one another relative to their placement relative to the seasons of the year. Notice also that this placement of the months places the 9th month, Kislev, such that it does begin on November 25, 482 BCE and on December 26, 474 BCE. The second date, item #2 above, if valid, will define for us exactly which lunar cycle that correspond with the date we are given in Esther 8:9, that is, the 3rd month would have had to begin on July 1, 474 BCE [one month later than the months I was previously considering:]
Mordecai’s decree was issued on the Third Day of the week, Sivan 23, 474 BCE (-473,) which day fell on the day beginning at sunset Mon July 23 [SNB July 1 last rays sunset 18:44:36; moonset 19:46:56; lag: 62 min 20 sec; illumination: 1.36%; Julian day #1548498] or Tue July 24, 474 BCE.
What parallels do you perceive between the true timing of Yeshua’s resurrection and the timing of Mordecai’s decree?
What
days of the week did Haman 1) cast Pur and 2) issue his decree?
Esther 3:7 KJV In the first month, that is,
the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month
Adar.
Esther 3:12 KJV Then were
the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the
king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over
every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according
to the writing thereof, and to every people after their
language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the
king's ring.
Corresponding to the above dates, I find that, most likely:
Haman cast his Pur on the Sixth Day of the week, Aviv 1, 474 BCE (-473,) which day began at sunset Thu May 3 [SNB May 3 last rays sunset 18:13:08; moonset 19:25:44; lag: 72 min 36 sec; illumination: 1.95%; Julian day # 1548417] (or Tue July 24,) 474 BCE.
Haman’s decree was issued on the Fourth
Day of the week, Aviv 13, 474 BCE (-473,) which day began at sunset Tue May 15,
474 BCE (Julian day #1548429.)
Likewise I see no problem with Haman issuing a decree on most any day of the week… yet, I believe there may be some truth to the fact that Wednesdays are a very special day being honored by Satan worshippers…
Final
Conclusions re the dates provided in the Book of Esther:
1) The Book of Esther is certainly using the Scriptural calendar as its primary time reference. This fact is evidenced upon:
a. The 1st day of the 180 day count of Esther 1:4 is almost certainly Tishri 22, the Eighth Day Feast and the 1st day of the Scripture year, thus making the 7th day of the great feast, a Seventh Day Shabbat, the 186th day, Nisan 1, beginning at sunset on Friday April 2, 482 BCE (Julian day #1545464.) Such a placement of a feast over the last several days of the Babylonian year is certainly highly likely. Notice that this definition of the 180th day has effectively been hiding much insight into the details of the Book of Esther from most every translator and interpreter of the Scriptures over ages past! So long as the Book of Esther is perceived as a book being based only upon Babylonian reckoning and upon a year beginning on Nisan 1 in the spring, these important data and the nature of the 180 days of Esther 1:4 are almost certain to remain hidden to view. (Cf. this link…)
i.
The
Day One of the week event,
identified in the Book of Esther by the words “an hundred and fourscore days,”
which event began at sunset Sat Mar 27, 482 BCE (Julian day #1545458,) Adar 24,
482 BCE.
ii.
The
Day One of the week event, per the decrees of Ahasuerus
(Esther 3:13 (Haman’s;) 8:12 (Mordecai’s,)) scheduled
for Adar 13, 473 BCE (-472,) which event fell on the day beginning at sunset
Sat April 5, 473 BCE (Julian day #1548755.)
iii.
The Second Day of the
week, upon which 1) Haman erected his gallows,
2) then went up to make a proposition to the king re Mordecai, only to 3)
become commanded to give honors unto Mordecai,
and 4) Esther held her 2nd banquet, Nisan 18 [the day beginning at sunset Sunday May 20,]
474 BCE.
iv.
The Third Day of the week, upon
which day Mordecai’s decree was issued, which day was Sivan 23, the day
beginning at sunset Mon July 23, 474 BCE (Julian day #1548498.)
v.
The
Fourth Day of the
week, upon which Haman’s decree was issued, which day was Aviv 13, the day
beginning at sunset Tue May 15, 474 BCE (Julian day #1548429.)
vi.
The Sixth
Day of the week, upon
which Haman cast Pur, which day was Aviv 1, the day beginning at sunset Thu May
3, 474 BCE (-473; Julian day #1548417.)
vii. The Seventh Day Shabbat as the crowning event at the end of the great feast of Ahasuerus and his queen Vashti, which Shabbat began at sunset on Friday April 2, 482 BCE (Julian day #1545464.)
viii.
The Third Day of the Feast of
Unleavened Bread and the 3rd Scripture day following Esther’s
request for fasting and prayers, and upon which day she approached
Ahasuerus and served her 1st banquet for Ahasuerus and Haman, which
day fell on Day
One of the week, Nisan 17 [the day beginning at sunset Saturday May
19,] 474 BCE.
Nevertheless, the fact that all three regnal year references, within the Book of Esther, to the years of Ahasuerus’ reign all apparently[2] agree with the Babylonian year reckoning, while one of them (Esther 3:7) does not at first sight seem to agree with a Scripture calendar basis for the Book of Esther, does serve the purpose of satisfying many scholars, without more, that the Book is being based rather on Babylonian year reckoning... Yes, I too was being fooled into believing that until very recently indeed… Praise the Lord our Savior for lifting each of us out of the mire!
2) Given the support of 1) all of the above specifics for
identifying the 180th day of Esther 1:4 as a day falling in
Adar, and 2) all of
the above specifics being heavily based on Hebrew reckoning of time when not
otherwise indicated, it follows 3) that “the third year” reference in Esther
1:3, relative to said 180th day, is based upon Scriptural regnal
year reckoning. Considering also the plain and simple proof that that
same “third year” is also fitting into the Babylonian regnal year reckoning for that same
event, it is simple and easy to conclude that the Scriptural and Babylonian
year reckoning, relative to the years of Ahasuerus’ reign, are the same for the
month of Adar, and thus also throughout the 8th through the 12th
months. That being given, it then becomes obvious that the fall-to-fall
Scriptural calendar reckoning of Ahasuerus’ years are trailing the
spring-to-spring Babylonian regnal year reckoning during that same era of
Ahasuerus. From this fact I may finally conclude that the reign of
Ahasuerus/Xerxes began not only subsequent to the beginning of Nisan 1, 486
BCE, but also subsequent to the beginning of Tishri 22, 486 BCE, while also
prior to the beginning of Nisan 1, 485 BCE.
3) Given that the very
foundation of the 180 day reckoning (Esther 1:4) begins with Tishri 22, I find this
very strong evidence indeed that Tishri 22 was indeed considered the 1st
day of the Scripture year by the author of Esther.
Praise the Lord of Hosts, the Ancient of Days…
Daniel
2:19 KJV Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed
the God of heaven.
Daniel
2:22 KJV He revealeth the
deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the
darkness, and the light dwelleth with him...
Daniel
2:28 KJV But there is
a God in heaven that revealeth
secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar
what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon
thy bed, are these…;
Daniel
2:29 KJV As for thee,
O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come
to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh
known to thee what shall come to pass.
Daniel
2:30 KJV But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more
than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to
the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of
thy heart.
Daniel
2:47 KJV The king
answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that
your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest
reveal this secret.
Daniel
10:1 KJV In the third
year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto
Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the
thing was true, but the time appointed was long:
and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
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