INTRODUCTION: Shevat (שְׁבָט) is the 11th month of the biblical calendar (counting from Nisan). On the Gregorian calendar, it usually falls in January–February. The 11th, in the Bible, often points to transition, temptation, trials, alignment, and preparation for new beginnings. Historically, Deuteronomy 1:3 reveals that it was on the first day of Shevat that Moses began to explain the law (Torah) to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. This makes Shevat a month of review, teaching, and renewal of covenant understanding. In Jewish tradition, 15th of Shevat – Tu BiShvat (New Year for Trees) is the “Rosh Hashanah of Trees.” It is a celebration of God’s provision, the land’s fruitfulness, and a reminder of being “planted” and rooted in Him (Psalm 1:3; Jeremiah 17:7–8
Biblical patterns for understanding the eleventh month are the fourth day of creation narrative, the 11th book and chapters of the Bible, and Bible passages mentioning the 11th month.
A, The eleventh month is a fourth day of creation season.This is so because the 11th is the fourth in the second-seven. God made the luminaries on the fourth day of creation. The fourth in every seven seasons is a fourth day of creation season. The eleventh month is the month of lights and illumination. It is a month to walk in wisdom, discretion, and discernment. It is a month of wealth. It is a month to prioritize relationships.
B. The eleventh month is a Book of First Kings season.The book of First Kings is the eleventh book of the Bible and is applicable to the eleventh month of the year. Solomon became king in the eleventh book of the Bible. God gave him wisdom and wealth and he added women. The building of the temple is recorded in the eleventh book of the Bible. The eleventh season is building – season. It is important to pray against forces that resist or oppose building. Israel experienced political and spiritual turbulence in the eleventh book of the Bible. The kingdom divided under the fourth king, Rehoboam. The Northern Kingdom, under Jeroboam, became officially idolatrous; and worsened under Ahab and Jezebel.. God began to raise prophets of confrontation like Ahijah the Shilonite, the man of God from Judah, and Elijah the Tishbite, to bring rebuke and correction. Amid the blessings of the month, you must watch against temptations to drift from purpose and principles. The eleventh chapters of the Bible indicate that the eleventh season is a season of temptations. Consider the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, the sins of David in Second Samuel 11, the failure of Solomon in First Kings 11, the fall of Athaliah in Second Kings 11, the weariness of John the Baptist in Matthew 11, or the Great Schism of the 11th century. The 11th season is a season of great falls. The Al-Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden, and the strong man of Libya, Muammar Ghadaffi, were both killed in 2011. In the eleventh season, the strong may be weak, and the wise may act foolishly. Be watchful.
D. Bible passages that mention ‘the eleventh month
The Bible reveals one thing about the eleventh month:
IT IS A SEASON TO RECEIVE AND DECLARE THE WORD OF THE LORD
Deuteronomy 1:3: Now it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that the LORD had given him as commandments to them,
Zechariah 1:7-17: On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet: [8] I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white. [9] Then I said, “My lord, what are these?” So the angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are.” [10] And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are the ones whom the LORD has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.” [11] So they answered the Angel of the LORD, who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting quietly.” [12] Then the Angel of the LORD answered and said, “O LORD of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?” [13] And the LORD answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. [14] So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem And for Zion with great zeal. [15] I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; For I was a little angry, And they helped-but with evil intent.” [16] ‘Therefore thus says the LORD: “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it,” says the LORD of hosts, “And a surveyor’s line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.”‘ [17] “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; The LORD will again comfort Zion, And will again choose Jerusalem.”‘”
The eleventh month is a season of prophetic revelations and declarations. It is a season to declare what God had said to those have ears to hear.
SPIRITUAL LESSONS ABOUT SHEVAT
It’s a time to be rooted in God’s Word and prepare against temptation: Just as Moses re-taught God’s commands, Shevat calls us to refresh our foundation in Scripture and covenant living.
It’s Due Season for Fruitfulness: Trees symbolize people in the Bible. Shevat reminds us that when we stay rooted in God, we will bear fruit regardless of circumstances (Psalm 92:12–14).
It’s a Season of Transition & Renewal: As Israel was preparing to enter the Promised Land, Shevat encourages us to prepare for new seasons by aligning with God’s Word.
Shevat speaks of fresh beginnings. Even in the heart of winter, trees prepare for spring; unseen growth beneath the soil leads to visible fruit. In the same way, God may be working beneath the surface of your life, preparing you for fruitfulness. Jesus is the true Vine (John 15:5). As we abide in Him during Shevat, we are assured of lasting fruit.
Shevat is a time to ask yourself, “Am I rooted deeply in God’s Word or shaken by circumstances?” Take Shevat as a time to study, meditate, and renew your covenant walk with God. Believe that hidden growth is taking place now, preparing you for visible fruitfulness.
PRAYERS FOR THE 11TH MONTH
1. O Lord, deliver me from the deceptive moves of the adversary around me in this season. Deliver your people from the temptations of the eleventh season this 11th month.
2. O Lord, help me to treasure and keep the relationships you have given me in this season.
3. O Lord help me to stay humble and receive those you might send my way to bring correction into my life.
4. O Lord enable me to begin and complete the tasks of this season as Solomon completed the building of the temple in the eleventh book of the Bible. Deliver me from temptations to quit as Elijah wanted to quit the prophetic ministry in the 11th book of the Bible.
5. O Lord, guide me to cross borders, break new grounds and enter into new realms ordained for this season. Give me strength for the tasks of this month.
6. O Lord, as you stopped the construction of the tower of Babel in Genesis 11, let authorized Initiatives working against divine purposes, in this month, end in confusion.
7. O Lord, as the unprecedented is recorded in the 11th book and chapters of the Bible, let this 11th month be a season unprecedented heavenly visitations. Let what is dead or dying come back to life. Let there be supernatural supplies.
Say this Prayer:
“Father, in this month of Shevat, root me deeply in Your Word so I may stand firm and bear fruit in season. Like a tree planted by rivers of water, may I never wither, but flourish in all You have called me to do. I choose to align myself with Your covenant and prepare for the new things ahead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Happy 11th month of the year
