Exodus 12:2

“This month shall be unto you the beginning of months, etc.] Not only the first, as after expressed, but the chief and principal of them, now famous for their coming out of Egypt in it, and would be more so for the sufferings and death of the Messiah, and redemption by him from sin, Satan, and the world, law, hell, and death, for he suffered at the time of the passover. This month was called Abib, (<021304>Exodus 13:4 23:15), which signifies an ear of corn, and at this time we find that the barley was in ear, (<020931>Exodus 9:31) which clearly shows in what month the above things were transacted; afterwards it was called Nisan, which seems to be the Chaldean name for it, (<160201>Nehemiah…”

“this month shall be unto you the beginning of months--the first not only in order but in estimation. It had formerly been the seventh according to the reckoning of the civil year, which began in September, and continued unchanged, but it was thenceforth to stand first in the national religious year which began in March, April.”

“This month - Abib Exodus 13:4. It was called “Nisan” by the later Hebrews, and nearly corresponds to our April. The Israelites are directed to take Abib henceforth as the beginning of the year; the year previously began with the month Tisri, when the harvest was gathered in; see Exodus 23:16. The injunction touching Abib or Nisan referred only to religious rites; in other affairs they retained the old arrangement, even in the beginning of the Sabbatic year; see Leviticus 25:9. return to 'Top of Page'”

“This shall be to you the beginning of months - They had hitherto begun their year from the middle of September, but hence - forward they were to begin it from the middle of March, at least in all their ecclesiastical computations. We may suppose that while Moses was bringing the ten plagues upon the Egyptians, he was directing the Israelites to prepare for their departure at an hour's warning. Probably he had, by degrees, brought them near together from their dispersions, for they are here called the congregation of Israel; and to them, as a congregation, orders are here sent. Exodus 12:3”

“12:2 This month was the month Abib (13:4; 23:15; 34:18; Deut 16:1; later called by the Babylonian name, Nisan, Neh 2:1; Esth 3:7), which falls within the months of March and April. Many cultures held festivals about this time of the year, celebrating the renewal of plant life. Israel’s festival celebrated the historic event in which God defeated death and rescued his people from bondage in Egypt.”

“am 2513, bc 1491, An, Exod, Isr, 1, Abib or Nisan, Exo 13:4, Exo 23:15, Exo 34:18; Lev 23:5; Num 28:16; Deu 16:1; Est 3:7 Exodus 12:3”