When Was the Messiah Born?
It is well established that the Messiah was not born on December 25th, as I have previously shown the pagan origins of Christmas. However, this leads us to a lingering question: when was the Messiah born? While the Scriptures do not explicitly provide a date, I believe that through careful study, the Bible offers compelling clues to pinpoint the timing of Yeshua’s birth.
“It is the esteem of Elohim to hide a matter, and the esteem of sovereigns to search out a matter.” (Proverbs 25:2)
Many pivotal moments in Yeshua’s life align with the Mo’edim, the biblical festivals. His death occurred on Passover, His burial during Unleavened Bread, His resurrection on First Fruits, and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) was given on Shavuot. Would it not make sense, then, that His birth also coincided with one of these appointed times?
The Feast of Tabernacles
“And the Word became flesh and pitched His tent among us, and we saw His esteem, esteem as of an only brought-forth of a father, complete in favor and truth.” (John 1:14)
The Greek word often translated as "dwelt," skenoo, means “to fix one’s tabernacle” or “to live in a tent.” It is no coincidence that John uses this term to describe the Messiah's birth. This wording symbolizes Yeshua’s temporary stay among us and hints at the timing of His arrival—during Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles.
Another connection to Sukkot can be found in the story of Abraham and Isaac. Isaac, often regarded as a foreshadowing of the Messiah, is also linked to Sukkot. When Isaac was born, messengers of Yah informed Abraham and Sarah that Isaac’s lineage would be chosen by Elohim. Abraham then celebrated a festival of joy, believed to be the first observance of Tabernacles.
“And we returned in the seventh month, and found Sarah with child before us and we blessed him, and we announced to him all the things which had been decreed concerning him, that he should not die till he should beget six sons more, and should see (them) before he died; but (that) in Isaac should his name and seed be called: And (that) all the seed of his sons should be Gentiles, and be reckoned with the Gentiles; but from the sons of Isaac one should become a holy seed, and should not be reckoned among the Gentiles. For he should become the portion of the Most High, and all his seed had fallen into the possession of Elohim, that it should be unto Yah a people for (His) possession above all nations and that it should become a kingdom and priests and a holy nation. And we went our way, and we announced to Sarah all that we had told him, and they both rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And he built there an altar to the Lord who had delivered him, and who was making him rejoice in the land of his sojourning, and he celebrated a festival of joy in this month seven days, near the altar which he had built at the Well of the Oath. And he built booths for himself and for his servants on this festival, and he was the first to celebrate the feast of tabernacles on the earth.” (Jubilees 16:16-21)” (Jubilees 16:16-21)
The great test of Abraham and Isaac, where Elohim provided a lamb in place of Isaac, also occurred during Sukkot. This event foreshadowed the coming Lamb of Elohim, who would take away the sin of the world.
“And he said, 'Elohim will provide for himself a sheep for a burnt-offering, my son.' And he drew near to the place of the mount of Elohim….And Abraham went to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba, and Abraham dwelt by the Well of the Oath. And he celebrated this festival every year, seven days with joy, and he called it the festival of Yah according to the seven days during which he went and returned in peace. And accordingly has it been ordained and written on the heavenly tablets regarding Israel and its seed that they should observe this festival seven days with the joy of the festival.” (Jubilees 18:7, 17-19)
“See, the Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
The rejoicing of the Magi at Yeshua’s birth further mirrors the joy seen in Sukkot celebrations:
“And seeing the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And coming into the house, they saw the Child with Miryam His mother, and fell down and did reverence to Him, and opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:10-11)
Luke’s Timeline
“There was in the days of Herodes, the sovereign of Yehuḏah (Judah), a certain priest named Zeḵaryah (Zacharias), of the division of Aḇiyah (Abia).” (Luke 1:5)
Luke’s account provides a timeline for understanding the Messiah’s birth. Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, belonged to the division of Abia. According to 1 Chronicles 24, the priesthood was divided into 24 divisions, each serving the Temple for a week on a rotational basis, starting in the month of Nisan. The division of Abia served the temple during the month of Sivan (mid-May to mid-June). Gabriel’s appearance to Zacharias likely occurred during Shavuot since the division of Abia served at this time, placing Elizabeth’s conception in late May or early June.
“And a messenger of יהוה appeared to him, standing on the right side of the slaughter-place of incense. And when Zeḵaryah saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the messenger said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zeḵaryah, for your prayer is heard. And your wife Elisheḇa shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Yoḥanan… And it came to be, as soon as the days of his service were completed, he went away to his house. And after those days his wife Elisheḇa conceived. And she hid herself five months….” (Luke 1:11-13, 23-24)
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy—around December or Kislev—Gabriel visited Mary to announce that she would conceive the Messiah.
“And in the sixth month the messenger Gaḇri’ĕl was sent by Elohim to a city of Galil named Natsareth, to a maiden engaged to a man whose name was Yosĕph, of the house of Dawiḏ. And the maiden’s name was Miryam. And the messenger, coming to her, said, “Greetings, favoured one, the Master is with you. Blessed are you among women!” But she was greatly disturbed at his word, and wondered what kind of greeting this was. And the messenger said to her, “Do not be afraid, Miryam, for you have found favour with Elohim. And see, you shall conceive in your womb, and shall give birth to a Son, and call His Name יהושע.” (Luke 1:26-31)
If Yeshua’s conception occurred in Kislev, nine months later brings us to Tishri (September/October), the month of Sukkot.
Conclusion
The biblical festivals hold deep significance, as many of Yah’s key works throughout history occur on or around these appointed times. Yeshua’s life exemplifies this pattern: His death on Passover, His burial during Unleavened Bread, His resurrection on First Fruits, the giving of the Ruach HaKodesh on Shavuot, and His anticipated return on Yom Teruah, with judgment on Yom Kippur, and the Father tabernacling with us during Sukkot.
The parallels between Isaac’s story and Yeshua’s birth during Sukkot are profound, from being the begotten son through divine intervention to the lamb Yah provided. Luke’s detailed account of Elizabeth’s pregnancy also underscores the alignment of these events with the festival calendar.
While we cannot definitively prove that Yeshua was born during Sukkot, the evidence is compelling and worthy of study.
P.S.
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