Rosh Chodesh Tammuz begins/starts this evening at dusk on the Biblical Calendar. The name “Tammuz” is of Babylonian origin (as are the other names of the Hebrew months). However, in the Bible, the month was simply known as the “Fourth Month” in reference to the first month of Nisan (Abib).
As mentioned above, the name “Tammuz” is of Babylonian origin and came up with the Jews from the Babylonian exile. The name is rather strange and peculiar. Moreso, it is even scandalous that it would be adopted for a Hebrew month despite its Pagan connotation. But there is a reason as to why the name stands (which we’ll see later). In his book, The two Babylons, Alexander Hislop identifies Tammuz as a sun-god and progeny of the ancient Sumerian people. The Prophet Ezekiel mentions this Babylonian idol being worship by Israel while in apostacy to heaven (Ezekiel 8:14).
Ezekiel 8:14 - Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the Lord, and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.
Biblically and historically, the fourth month is a tragic month full of struggle as we’ll see. On 6th Sivan, after God revealed Himself to Israel, Moses ascended on Mt Sinai for a period of 40 days and 40 nights to receive the rest of the Torah (Exod. 24:18). This day coincided with the holiday of Shavu’ot (Pentecost). When Moses descended from the mountain and saw the idolatry of the Golden Calf, Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the two tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain (Exod. 32:19-20).
This unfortunate occurrence fell on 17th Tammuz, a day associated with catastrophic events in Jewish history. It was on the same month on 9th Tammuz that the Babylonian army breached the walls of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:2-7). Coincidentally, on 9th Av that the Temple fell at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar’s army. The date 17th Tammuz was adopted as a day of fasting among the Jews. It begins a three-week fasting period known as “Shivar Asar B’Tammuz” (The Fast of the 17th of Tammuz) which ends on 9th Av. This period constitutes a period of national mourning and Teshuvah (repentance) for the Jewish people.
Zechariah 8:19 - Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month (17th Tammuz) and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts.
In addition to the sin of the Golden calf, the following are other unfortunate events that took place on this date throughout history:
The name “Tammuz” serves as a historic cautionary reminder of the sin the children of Israel committed when they worshipped the Golden calf. Subsequent generations ought to learn from the event so that they are not enticed to worship idols. Though, the Babylonian name has a pagan undertone, Adonai made it stand so that Israel may remember the Almighty does not share His glory with that of idols (Isaiah 42:8).
Originally, the months of the Biblical Calendar were known according to the sequence following New Moon of the first month as given to Israel while in Egypt (Exod. 12:1-2). For example, second month, third month, fourth month etc. However, this changed after the Babylonian exile in fulfillment of the prophecy of the Prophet Jeremiah. “Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when it shall no longer be said, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ but ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them (Jer 16:14-15).” Therefore, the Babylonian names for the months stand in fulfillment of the prophetic word.
The following is the month of Tammuz in relation to the other Months of the Year:
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