The Sumerian and Babylonian calendars

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 23 views

Introduction

The Book of 1 Enoch is an ancient Jewish text that contains a wealth of information on astronomy, cosmology, and the history of the world. One of the most intriguing aspects of 1 Enoch is its description of the solar year, which appears to be contradictory. While some passages suggest that the solar year is 364 days, others imply that it is 360 days. In this article, we will delve into the details of 1 Enoch's astronomy and explore the possible explanations for this apparent contradiction.

The 360-Day Solar Year

One of the most well-known passages in 1 Enoch that suggests a 360-day solar year is found in chapter 74, verse 10:

Q&A: Resolving the Contradiction in 1 Enoch's Solar Year

Q: What is the significance of the 360-day solar year in 1 Enoch?

A: The 360-day solar year in 1 Enoch is significant because it suggests that the ancient Jewish text is describing a calendar system that is different from the modern Gregorian calendar. The 360-day year is also mentioned in other ancient texts, such as the Sumerian and Babylonian calendars.

Q: Why does 1 Enoch mention a 364-day solar year as well?

A: The 364-day solar year in 1 Enoch is mentioned in several passages, including chapter 74, verse 10. This year is also divided into four quarters, each consisting of 91 days. The 364-day year is significant because it is mentioned in conjunction with the 360-day year, suggesting that the ancient Jewish text is describing a complex calendar system.

Q: What is the purpose of the 364-day solar year in 1 Enoch?

A: The purpose of the 364-day solar year in 1 Enoch is not entirely clear. However, it is possible that this year was used for ceremonial or liturgical purposes, such as the calculation of festivals and holidays.

Q: How does the 360-day solar year relate to the biblical account of creation?

A: The 360-day solar year in 1 Enoch is mentioned in conjunction with the biblical account of creation in Genesis 1:1-31. Some scholars believe that the 360-day year is a reference to the "day" of creation, which is described as a period of time that is different from the modern concept of a day.

Q: What are the implications of the 360-day solar year for our understanding of ancient Jewish astronomy?

A: The 360-day solar year in 1 Enoch has significant implications for our understanding of ancient Jewish astronomy. It suggests that the ancient Jewish people had a sophisticated understanding of astronomy and mathematics, and that they were able to develop complex calendar systems.

Q: How does the 364-day solar year relate to the concept of the "week" in 1 Enoch?

A: The 364-day solar year in 1 Enoch is divided into four quarters, each consisting of 91 days. This is significant because it is mentioned in conjunction with the concept of the "week" in 1 Enoch, which is described as a period of time that is divided into seven days.

Q: What are the implications of the 364-day solar year for our understanding of the biblical concept of time?

A: The 364-day solar year in 1 Enoch has significant implications for our understanding of the biblical concept of time. It suggests that the biblical authors had a complex understanding of time and its relationship to the natural world.

Conclusion

The 360-day and 364-day solar years in 1 Enoch are significant because they suggest that the ancient Jewish text is describing a complex calendar system that is different from the modern Gregorian calendar. The 360-day year is mentioned in conjunction with the biblical account of creation, while the 364-day year is divided into four quarters and is mentioned in conjunction with the concept of the "week". The implications of these years for our understanding of ancient Jewish astronomy and the biblical concept of time are significant and warrant further study.

Additional Resources

The Book of 1 Enoch: This ancient Jewish text contains a wealth of information on astronomy, cosmology, and the history of the world.
The Sumerian and Babylonian calendars: These ancient calendars are mentioned in conjunction with the 360-day solar year in 1 Enoch.
The biblical account of creation: This account is mentioned in conjunction with the 360-day solar year in 1 Enoch.
The concept of the "week" in 1 Enoch: This concept is mentioned in conjunction with the 364-day solar year in 1 Enoch.