Elul (H435) is the name of the sixth month of the Hebrew sacred calendar (twelfth of the civil calendar), occurring in August–September. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible (Nehemiah 6:15) and corresponds to the period of wall-building culmination under Nehemiah. The name may derive from an Akkadian root meaning "harvest" or "task."
The month of Elul became profoundly significant in post-biblical Jewish tradition as a month of repentance and preparation for the High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). Tradition holds that Moses ascended Sinai a third time in Elul and that the shofar was blown daily throughout the month as a call to return to God. The completion of Jerusalem's wall in 52 days, finishing on the 25th of Elul, was recognized even by Israel's enemies as God's work (Nehemiah 6:16). Elul teaches that God can accomplish the impossible in compressed time when His people are surrendered and His name is at stake. The spiritual rhythm of preparation — self-examination, prayer, reconciliation — reflects God's patient desire for His people to return before judgment arrives.