Mastering the Biblical Hebrew Calendar: Step-by-Step Guide - Part 2
Calculating the biblical feasts begins with determining the new year at the equinox, followed by the first new moon of the first month. For 2026, this falls on March 20th, marking both the equinox and the first new moon.[Leviticus 23]
The Appointed Feasts of YHWH
YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, these are the appointed feasts of YHWH that you shall proclaim as holy convocations. They are my appointed feasts." [Leviticus 23:2 ESV]
These feasts include holy convocations—assemblies where we gather with no work done. The Sabbath is the first: "Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work." [Leviticus 23:3]
On the Sabbath, no work or cooking is allowed. For other feasts (except Yom Kippur), prepare only the food needed that day—no ordinary work.
Note: The Passover is not a feast; it's the sacrifice (lamb or goat) just before entering the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
The First Month: Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread
In the first month (first new moon after equinox), "on the 14th day of the month at twilight is YHWH's Passover." [Leviticus 23:5]
For 2026:
- March 20th: New Year / 1st day (1st new moon).
- Count to the 14th: April 2nd at twilight (even, ~3 PM to sunset) = Passover sacrifice.
"And on the 15th day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to YHWH; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work." [Leviticus 23:6-7]
- April 3rd (sunset): Day 1 of Unleavened Bread (full moon—always on the 15th).
- April 9th: Day 7 holy convocation, no ordinary work.
Psalm 81:3 confirms: "Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon on our feast day." The Feast of Unleavened Bread and Feast of Tabernacles always begin on the full moon (15th).
Use apps like Daff Moon to verify new moons and full moons (98-100% illumination = mid-month).
Counting to Shavuot (Pentecost)
Next, the wave sheaf offering (barley firstfruits): "When you come into the land... bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest, and he shall wave the sheaf before YHWH, so that you may be accepted. On the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it." [Leviticus 23:10-11]
This Sabbath is during Unleavened Bread (April 3-9, 2026). The day after (Sunday, April 5th) starts the count.
"You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering." [Leviticus 23:15]
Count 50 days:
- From April 5th → May 24th, 2026 = Shavuot (Feast of Weeks).
Shavuot falls in the third month (new moon ~May 18th), matching Exodus 19:1: "...the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai." This is when the Israelites received the law.
Get the Full Biblical Feast Calendar
Download our Biblical Feast Calendar at israelitemedia.com/calendar. We've calculated new moons and feasts for you—easy to follow!
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Study Leviticus 23 fully to proclaim YHWH's feasts as holy convocations.