The ecclesiastical year began with the month Abib, or Nisan, in the spring: the civil year with the month Ethanim in the fall.

(x.) The death of the firstborn, which occurred in April (Abib), was evidently not a natural calamity.

It must be killed on the fourteenth of the month Abib as the sun is setting, and the blood must be sprinkled with hyssop.

The first of these is Abib, meaning the month of "green ears."