47 The Seasons and Divisions of Time

The Seasons and Divisions of Time In the sketch given of the Physical Features of Palestine I it will be seen that some parts of the land are much more elevated than others; this being the case, the seasons for agricultural purposes necessarily vary more or less for different districts. Our Lord said that when the fig-tree put forth its leaves summer was nigh. (Matthew 24:32.) This would agree nearly with the month of May.

Winter is spoken of as unsuitable for flight from the doomed city. (Matthew 24:20.) The feast of the dedication is also said to be in winter. It was not safe for ships to sail on the Mediterranean Sea in winter. (Acts 27:12.) Paul speaks twice of wintering in certain places in Asia Minor, as if it was difficult to travel then. The above occurrences are the only intimations of the seasons in the New Testament. We give the traditional list of seasons, usually found in books of reference; and also some statistics of actual observations in the land. It will be seen that these modern statistics do not always agree with the traditional list. For instance, Bul is called the rainy month; the word occurs only once (1 Kings 6:38) and is supposed to signify "rain;" but the statistics show that there is much more rain now in December and January. The early rain and the latter rain are also placed to months in which there appears now to be but little rain; but the terms "early" and "latter’ may refer to when the rain is most valuable, and not when it is most plentiful. The climate and seasons may have somewhat altered.

It was foretold that the land of promise should "drink water of the rain of heaven." They should have rain in due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that they might gather in the corn, the wine, and the oil. (Deuteronomy 11:11-14.)

Dr. Barker gives the average quantity of rain during nine years in Jerusalem as 56.5 inches, which is a great deal more than given in the statistics. As to the temperature at Jerusalem, Dr. Barker gives the highest during five years (1851-5) as 92°, and the lowest 28°; the mean average during the year being 66.5°. The average temperature in January was 49.4°, and in August 79.3°.

Seed time commences as soon as rain has fallen at the end of October or early in November, and continues till January. Harvest in low, protected parts begins at the end of March or early in April; in the hill country it is a month later; and in the north, from June to the end of July. The rains of November clothe the fields with grass. In January citrons, oranges, and lemons are ripe. In February, apple, pear, plum, and apricot trees are in blossom. In May, apricots and melons are ripe in the warm parts. In June, figs, cherries, and plums begin to ripen; but August is the chief month for fruit: the grape, fig, pomegranate, and peach are in their prime, and the vintage extends through September. In August the great heat begins to dry up vegetation, which continues until the whole scene changes to what appears to be a dry and barren land; but the early rains soon show again that it is only the surface that is parched. All are agreed that under better cultivation the land would be very productive. The six seasons, named in Genesis 8:22, are arranged to occupy two months each, and to follow thus:--

Such seasons must necessarily over-lap each other. It is said that the same divisions still exist among the Arabs. The months were arranged by the new moon becoming visible. New moon to new moon occupies about 29½ days, and it will be seen that the months were alternately 30 and 29 days, which agreed with the changes of the moon very well; but the whole twelve months amounted to only 354 days-11¼ days short of the solar year. This must have been discovered very soon, because of the first fruits of the barley and wheat harvest having appointed times for their presentation in the temple. In three years a month would be lost, and an additional month was from time to time added, called Ve-adar, the "added Adar."

JEWISH CALENDAR AND ITS ANTITYPES.

TEMPERATURE AND RAIN IN PALESTINE.

In 1887 rain fell only 43 days in the year. The most prevalent winds were West and South West. The above observations were taken at Sarona, north of the great orange groves of Jaffa, 1 1/2 miles from the sea shore, and about 55 feet above the level of the sea; taken by Herr J. Dreher. and arranged by Jas Glaisher, Esq., F. R. S. The degrees are Fahrenheit. From Quarterly Statement of Palestine Exploration Fund, 1890.