the postured observance of the new moon

νεομηνία, ας, ἡ (νέος, μήν; in the contracted form νουμηνία [Col 2:16 Tdf.; PKatz, Kratylos 5, ’60, 158] since Aristoph.; X., An. 5, 6, 23; Antig. Car. 126; Appian, Bell. Civ. 5, 97 §404; 98 §406; ins [SIG and OGI index]; PPetr II, 4, col. 2, 6 [III B.C.]; BGU 1053, 20 [13 B.C.]; LXX [Thackeray 98]; Philo; Jos., Bell. 5, 230, Ant. 4, 78. The uncontracted [Ionic] form is not found in ins [Nachmanson 69] and pap [PTebt 318, 12: 166 A.D.; BGU 859, 6: II A.D.. S. Mayser p. 153] before the second half of the second century A.D., also Alciphron 3, 25, 2.—Proclus on Pla., Cratyl. p. 40, 3 P. νουμηνίαν μὲν Ἀττικοί φασιν, νεομηνίαν δὲ Κρῆτες; Lob., Phryn. 148; on the anachronistic reading in N. [which shows no v.l.], s. M-M and New Docs 3, 76f w. other pap) new moon, first of the month, oft. celebrated as a festival by Jews and gentiles: Col 2:16; B 2:5; 15:8 (the two last Is 1:13 νουμηνία); PtK 2 p. 14, 28. τὴν τῆς νουμηνίας εἰρωνείαν the postured observance of the new moon Dg 4:1 (Antig. Car. 126 μύρμηκες ταῖς νουμηνίαις ἀναπαύονται=the ants rest at the time of the new moon).—M-M. TW.