Ni´san, the first month of the Hebrew civil year. Abib, by which name this month is called in the Pentateuch (;; ), means an ear of grain, a green ear; and hence 'the month Abib' is 'the month of green ears.' It thus denoted the condition of the barley in the climate of Egypt and Palestine in this month. Nisan, otherwise Abib, began with the new moon of April, or, according to the Rabbins, of March.