The Messianic Perspective on the “Sixth Month” on God’s Calendar (Elul)
Spiritual Preparation, Repentance, and Redemption
In the Biblical Calendar, the Sixth Month known commonly as Elul holds unique significance. For Messianic believers, who recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah and who blend some of the Jewish traditions into their Christian faith —Elul emerges as a season of deep spiritual reflection, preparation, and anticipation. In the broader Jewish world, Elul is known as the month of repentance, teshuvah, and return. The Messianic view both honors these ancient practices and finds in them prophetic echoes of the Messiah’s work and the journey of redemption.
Name: Sixth Month on the Biblical Calendar
According to the biblical order, Nisan is the first month of the year and it biblical name is First Month.. This makes Elul’s biblical name Sixth Month . This placement is significant, as the number six in biblical thought often symbolizes humanity, preparation, and incompleteness, awaiting the fullness of redemption. The Sixth Month, (ELUL) bridges the span between the experiences of redemption in the spring festivals and the awe-filled days of the High Holy Days in the Seventh Month which is given the name Tishrei on today’s Jewish Calendar.
A Portrait in Sound and Spirit: He stands beneath a sky brushed with the gentle glow of morning, in Jerusalem. In his hands, the ancient curve of the shofar horn—a polished ram’s horn, its surface etched with the memory of time. Poised at his lips, he inhales the breath of ancestral hope, then exhales a clear, ringing note that rises and arcs through the air. The sound is both proclamation and prayer, echoing through city streets and open fields, carrying with it the weight and wonder of countless generations. His eyes, steady and intent, reflect the solemnity of the moment, a humble connection to a tradition bigger than himself. In this instant, the man and the horn are one: a living testament to resilience, faith, and the power of a single voice to stir the world awake.
Repentance and Return: The Heart of the Sixth Month
In traditional Judaism, Elul is the month during which the shofar is blown daily, awakening the soul and stirring the heart toward repentance. Messianic communities embrace this tradition, interpreting the call of the shofar as an invitation to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd—Yeshua—who calls His sheep to return to Him.
The Hebrew root of the word “Elul” (אלול) is sometimes associated with the phrase “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li”—”I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine” (Song of Solomon 6:3). Messianic interpretation sees this as a symbol of the covenantal love between Messiah and His Bride (the community of believers in Yeshua). Elul becomes a month of rekindling intimacy, seeking the face of Yeshua, and preparing for the coming of the King.
Preparation for the Fall Festivals
The Sixth Month on God’s calendar is a time of spiritual preparation leading into the Seventh Month, called Tishrei on today’s Jewish Calendar. The Seventh Month houses the High Holy Days: Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). Messianic believers see in this sequence a prophetic timeline: Elul’s repentance and seeking of God’s face readies the community for the sounding of the trumpet—a signaling of the return of Messiah—followed by judgment and atonement, and culminating in the celebration of God’s dwelling among His people.
This period thus becomes a living parable. The Sixth Month’s invitation to self-examination is seen as a rehearsal for the great day when Messiah returns, the shofar will sound, and all will stand before the King.
The Messianic Hope in the Sixth Month (Elul)
For Messianic believers, Elul is not merely a backdrop to spiritual self-improvement; it is alive with anticipation for the fulfillment of God’s promises. The daily blowing of the shofar and the prayers of repentance are filled with hope that Messiah’s redemption is near. Reflection on the Sixth Month calls to mind the creation of humanity on the sixth day and the desire for restoration through the Messiah, the Second Adam.
Conclusion
The Messianic view of the month of Elul as the Sixth Month is rich with spiritual depth, blending the ancient rhythms of Jewish repentance with the Messianic hope of redemption. The Sixth Month (Elul) stands as a sacred time—an annual window into the heart’s longing for renewal, the call of the Bridegroom, and the anticipation of the final trumpet when Messiah will come to redeem and restore all things. Through repentance, intimate prayer, and hope, Messianic communities find in the Sixth Month (Elul) both a mirror and a map for the journey toward ultimate restoration in the Messiah.