New year references in the bible

While the Bible does not explicitly mention the concept of a "new year" as we understand it today, there are several passages that refer to the idea of a new beginning, renewal, or a fresh start. Here are a few examples:

  1. Leviticus 25:8-12 - This passage talks about the Year of Jubilee, which was a year of release and restoration for the Israelites. Every 50th year, all slaves were freed, debts were forgiven, and land was returned to its original owners. This concept of a "new year" is often seen as a symbol of God's desire to restore and redeem his people.
  2. Isaiah 42:9 - This verse says, "Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them." This passage speaks of God's sovereignty and His ability to bring about new things, which can be seen as a reference to a new beginning or a fresh start.
  3. Isaiah 65:17-18 - This passage says, "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create, for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness."
  4. Revelation 21:1-5 - This passage describes the new heaven and the new earth that God will create, where there will be no more sorrow, pain, or death. This can be seen as a reference to a new beginning or a fresh start, where God's people will live in harmony with Him forever.
  5. Psalm 118:24-25 - This passage says, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech You, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech You, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord."

While these passages do not explicitly mention the concept of a "new year," they do speak to the idea of new beginnings, renewal, and restoration, which can be seen as a reference to the idea of a new year.