SHEBAT, Sebat, Sebet, or Shebet, the fifth Month of the Civil Year of the Hebrews, and the eleventh of the Ecclesiastical Year. It answers to our Moon of January. The Jews began by Shebet, to number the Years of the Trees they planted, the Fruits of which were esteem’d profane and impure ‘till the fourth Year.
The Tenth of Shebet was a Fast for the Death of the Elders, who succeeded Joshua in the Government of the People, Judg. ii. 7, 10.
The Twenty-third of Shebet was made a Fast in Memory of the Resolution that was taken by the Israelites, to make War with Benjamin, to revenge the Outrage that was done to the Wife of the Levite, Judg. xix, xx.
On the Thirteenth of the same Month Simon Maccabæus was assassinated by Ptolemy Son of Abubus his Son-in-law, 1 Mac. xvi. 14, 15, 16. in the Year of the World 3869, before Christ 131, before the Vulgar Era 135.