אָבִיב (a.viv)
a.viv
Abib
H:N-M / N:N--TQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M / N:N--T
Word Overview
The Hebrew word abib refers to the first month of the religious calendar, occurring in March or April. Its literal meaning is "fresh" or "young," specifically describing barley ears that are tender and ready for harvest. This agricultural detail grounds the biblical timeline in the seasonal rhythms of ancient Canaan.
Scripture identifies this month as the time of the Exodus and the Passover festival (Exodus 12:2; Deuteronomy 16:1). Later biblical texts equate abib with the name Nisan, showing how the descriptive term evolved into a formal calendar designation. The word highlights the connection between God’s redemptive acts and the land’s fertility.
Translators typically render abib as "Abib" or "Nisan," preserving its unique cultural context rather than forcing it into a generic month name like March. This choice keeps the reader aware of the specific harvest imagery tied to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Abib anchors our spiritual rhythm to the physical world. It names the first month of Israel’s religious calendar, a time when barley ears were tender and ready for harvest. This was not just a date on a page but a season of new beginnings, marking the moment God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt.
When Scripture calls us to observe this month, it reminds us that redemption is often tied to seasons of growth and provision. The harvest imagery points to God’s faithfulness in providing for His people at the very time they needed it most. We can find comfort in knowing that our deliverance is woven into the natural order He created.
This connection between land and liberty invites us to see God’s hand in the rhythms of life. Just as the barley ripened for harvest, God prepared a way out for Israel. It encourages us to trust that new beginnings are possible, rooted in His consistent care and historical acts of salvation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ Abib6×
- young barley ear[s]1×
- [was] young barley ear[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָֽ/אָבִ֔יב2×
- הָֽ/אָבִ֗יב1×
- הָ/אָבִֽיב\׃1×
- הָ/אָבִ֔יב1×
- הָ/אָבִ֑יב1×
- אָבִ֞יב1×
- אָבִ֔יב1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 13:4
Today you go out in the month Abib.
This verse marks the specific day of departure, linking the month's name directly to the act of leaving Egypt.
-
Deuteronomy 16:1
Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover to Yahweh your God; for in the month of Abib Yahweh your God brought you out of Egypt by night.
It commands remembrance of the month as the time Yahweh brought Israel out by night, emphasizing divine timing.
-
Exodus 23:15
You shall observe the feast of unleavened bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib (for in it you came out of Egypt), and no one shall appear before me empty.
It ties the feast of unleavened bread to the month Abib, establishing it as the fixed time for this commemoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Abib mean?
How is Abib different from Nisan?
Why is this month important?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 3 books)
Exodus 4 verses
The flax and the barley were struck, for the barley had ripened and the flax was blooming.
Exodus 13:4Today you go out in the month Abib.
Exodus 23:15You shall observe the feast of unleavened bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the…
Exodus 34:18“You shall keep the feast of unleavened bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the…