INTRODUCTION: Elul (אֱלוּל) is the 29-day sixth month of the biblical calendar (counting from Nisan). It usually falls in August–September on the Gregorian calendar. This month carries deep spiritual significance as it immediately precedes the High Holy Days. The sixth, in the Bible, is associated with the supernatural and the manifestation of God in a man or in men. Elul is the month of preparation for the Fall Feasts (Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles). It is considered a time for self-examination, repentance, and returning to God. Jewish tradition teaches that during Elul, God—the King—draws near to His people, “in the field,” accessible and approachable. The Hebrew letters of Elul (אלול) are often connected with “Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li” – “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” (Song of Songs 6:3), symbolizing oneness and intimacy with God.
BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE 6TH MONTH
Biblical patterns for understanding the sixth month are the sixth day of creation narrative, the sixth book and chapters of the Bible, the Bible books and chapters corresponding to the weeks and days in the month; and Bible passages mentioning the sixth month. The sixth month completes the first half of the year
The 6th Month is a sixth day of creation month. On the sixth day of creation, God commanded the earth to bring forth land animals (beasts, cattle, and creeping things); and then He made man in His image and after His likeness. He blessed man and gave him dominion of the other living creatures. This is a month of exercising dominion in the name of the Lord. It is a season to transcend the wicked, the crafty, and the foolish. This is a month of intense spiritual warfare.
The sixth month is a Book of Joshua month. Going through the sixth month of the year is like journeying through the sixth book of the Bible. The book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Bible and is applicable to the sixth month of the year. God gave Israel the Promised Land in the book of Joshua. He gave them dominion over the seven nations of the Canaanites. The sixth month is a season to fight for your inheritance. It is a season to drive out the enemies in your Promised Land. It is the season to possess your possessions. This is a season of fulfilling promises and prophecies.
The sixth month of the year is a sixth-seven-books-of-the-Bible month. Going through the sixth month is like going through the sixth seven books of the Bible in experiences. The sixth seven nooks of the Bible are Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is within the sixth seven books of the Bible that you cross from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The sixth month, therefore, is a season to cross over from the old narrative to the new. It is a month of experiencing fulfillment of promises and prophecies. It is a month of going from pain to gain, from war to peace, from judgment to grace and mercy, from oppression to deliverance, from destruction to salvation, from despair to hope, and from sorrow to joy. This is a month of change of stories. It will not change from good to bad for you!
BIBLE PASSAGES THAT MENTION THE SIXTH MONTH
The Bible reveals four things about the sixth month:
It is for uncovering and unveiling secrets by the Spirit of God.
It is for getting to the root of problems
It is for repentance and returning to God.
It is a month of miracles and mysterious happenings.
1. THE SIXTH MONTH IS FOR THE UNCOVERING SECRETS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD
Ezekiel 8:1-6: And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me there. [2] Then I looked, and there was a likeness, like the appearance of fire-from the appearance of His waist and downward, fire; and from His waist and upward, like the appearance of brightness, like the color of amber. [3] He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy. [4] And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the plain. [5] Then He said to me, “Son of man, lift your eyes now toward the north.” So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance. [6] Furthermore He said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations.”
2. THE SIXTH MONTH IS FOR GETTING TO ROOT OF PROBLEMS
Haggai 1:1-2, 4-6: In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, [2] “Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built.”‘” [4] “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” [5] Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways! [6] “You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”
3. THE SIXTH MONTH IS REPENTANCE AND RETURN
Haggai 1:13-15: Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, spoke the LORD’s message to the people, saying, “I am with you, says the LORD.” [14] So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, [15] on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.
4. THE SIXTH MONTH IS FOR MYSTERIOUS HAPPENINGS. GOD ENTERED THE WOMB OF A WOMAN IN THE SIXTH MONTH.
Luke 1:26-38: Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. [28] And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” [29] But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. [30] Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. [32] He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. [33] And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” [34] Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” [35] And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. [36] Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. [37] For with God nothing will be impossible.” [38] Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
SPIRITUAL LESSONS ABOUT ELUL
Repentance and Return: Elul reminds us of Joel 2:12–13 – “Return to Me with all your heart…” It is a time to seek God earnestly.
Preparation for Encounter: Just as Israel prepared for the holy convocations, we prepare to meet God daily by aligning our hearts with Him.
Closeness of God: Elul highlights that God is not distant. He comes near, inviting us into deeper relationship (James 4:8).
Elul is a month of mercy and forgiveness. Just as Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai interceding after the golden calf (Exodus 34), Elul is remembered as a time when God revealed His mercy. It is also a bridging month: from human weakness to divine covering in the seventh month, when atonement and restoration are fully revealed. In Christ, we see the ultimate fulfillment: the Beloved who came near, dwelt among us, and prepared the way for reconciliation with God (John 1:14). It’s a time to ask, “What areas of my life need repentance, renewal, or surrender?” Take time this month to seek God in prayer, fasting, and reconciliation with others. Believe that as you draw near, God will meet you with mercy, intimacy, and direction.
PRAYERS
1. Pray against forces that stop, or cause, men (through fear, rebellion, ingratitude, thoughtlessness, or sin) to be disqualified from living and moving on.
2. Pray for mercy against disasters and overthrows.
4. Pray against the spirit of death harvesting the lives of people in this month.
5. Pray that this is a month of returning to God in humility and repentance.
6. Pray for miraculous interventions in the lives of those who are in expectation for one thing or another.
7. Pray that this is a month of cross-over experiences in the different areas of life.
Say this Prayer: “Lord, in this month of Elul, I turn my heart back to You. Search me and cleanse me from anything that separates me from Your presence. Thank You that You are near, that You are my Beloved, and that in You I find mercy and forgiveness. Prepare me for a fresh encounter with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
