1 Kings 6:37 — Word Study
WLCבַּשָּׁנָה֙ הָֽרְבִיעִ֔ית יֻסַּ֖ד בֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה בְּיֶ֖רַח זִֽו׃
BSAThe foundation of the housebayith [base, starting point, dwelling place, temple] of the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the Lord God] was laidyâçad■ [founded, established] in the fourthrᵉbîyʻîy year [of Solomon’s reign]shâneh [period of time, like when Abraham was 100 years old, rule, kingdom] in the monthyerach [lunar cycle, moon] of ZivZiv [brightness, the 2nd month of the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to April-May]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בַּשָּׁנָה֙ | in the year | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| הָֽרְבִיעִ֔ית | fourth | Particle |
| יֻסַּ֖ד | it was founded | Verb, Pual, perfect third person masculine singular |
| בֵּ֣ית | [the] house of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| יְהוָ֑ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| בְּיֶ֖רַח | in [the] month of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| זִֽו׃ | Ziv | Noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The foundation of the house of the LORD was laid in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, in the month of Ziv. |
| KJV | ¶ In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif: |
| ASV | In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of Jehovah laid, in the month Ziv. |
| YLT | In the fourth year hath the house of Jehovah been founded, in the month Zif, |
| WEB | The foundation of Yahweh’s house was laid in the fourth year, in the month Ziv. |
| BBE | In the fourth year the base of the house was put in its place, in the month Ziv. |
The translations agree on the action of laying the foundation, using similar terms for יֻסַּ֖ד.
The sentence has one main clause with two subordinate phrases providing additional context about the timing of the foundation's establishment.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
verbיָסַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Kings 6:37
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Construction of the Templegenerated
1 Kings 6:37 describes the laying of the foundation for the house of the LORD during the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, specifically in the month of Ziv. This event is a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, as it signifies the establishment of a central place of worship. The surrounding verses highlight Solomon's meticulous efforts in constructing the temple, emphasizing its importance as a dwelling place for God among His people.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 6:1 | In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the month of Ziv, the second month of the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, he began to build the house of the LORD. |
| 2 | 2 Chronicles 3:2 | Solomon began construction on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יֻסַּ֖ד, yu.Sadgenerated
The verb יָסַד (yasad) means to establish or found, indicating the act of laying a foundational structure. It carries the connotation of both a literal foundation and the figurative idea of establishing something significant.
In this verse, the Pual form indicates that the foundation was laid by an agent, though the agent is not specified. This reflects a divine aspect to the establishment of the temple, as it is seen as God's dwelling place.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses laid for יֻסַּ֖ד.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is יֻסַּ֖ד, it was founded, which governs the sentence. The structure includes several noun phrases and prepositional phrases that provide context, such as the year and the month in which the action occurred.
The prepositional phrases indicate the timing and location of the event, emphasizing the significance of the fourth year of Solomon's reign.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יֻסַּ֖ד with ἐθεμελίωσεν (ethemēliōsen), which means 'he laid the foundation.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, focusing on the act of establishing a foundational structure.
This translation indicates a consistent understanding of the foundational act, aligning with the Hebrew text's emphasis on the importance of the temple's establishment.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Kings 6:37 states that in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid in the month of Ziv. This marks the beginning of the temple's construction, a significant event in Israel's history.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The foundation represents the establishment of a central place of worship for the Israelites, marking a significant moment in their religious history.
Ziv is the second month of the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to April-May, and is associated with brightness, symbolizing the beginning of the temple-building.
This specific timing highlights the organized efforts of Solomon in constructing the temple, showcasing his dedication to establishing a place for God.
This verse connects to other references about the temple's construction, such as 2 Chronicles 3:2, which also discusses the building of the temple.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What significance does the establishment of the temple hold in my understanding of worship?
- How can I relate the act of laying a foundation to my own spiritual life?
- In what ways does the timing of Solomon's reign reflect God's plan for Israel?
- How can I apply the concept of foundation to my personal faith journey?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
An early commentary from Bede discusses the significance of the temple's construction, interpreting it as a symbol of the church being built from the souls of the elect.
The allegorical meaning of the fact that the house of the Lord was built in seven years is plain, because, of course, the holy church is being built of the souls of the elect for the entire duration of this world,Early Church Fathers on 1 Kings 6 →
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Kings 6:37 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the Lord laid,.... The fourth year of Solomon's reign: in the month Zif; [See comments on 1 Kings 6:1].
Read John Gill on 1 Kings 6 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryIn the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif: In the fourth year was the foundation ... laid. Josephus says ('Antiquities,' b. 8:, ch. 4:, sec.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Kings 6 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments1 Kings 6:37 In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif:Ver. 37. In the fourth year,] sc., Of Solomon’ s reign. See 1 Kings 6:1.
Read John Trapp on 1 Kings 6 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(37) Zif (the “brightness of flowers”) corresponds to about May;
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Kings 6 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges37–38. Completion of Solomon’s Temple (Not in Chronicles) 37. In the fourth year] i.e. Of king Solomon’s reign. See 1 Kings 6:1. The LXX. (both Vat. and Alex.) omits these two verses, adding at the end of 36 καὶᾠκοδόμησετὸκαταπέτασματῆςαὐλῆςτοῦαἰλὰμτοῦοἴκουτοῦκατὰπρόσωποντοῦναοῦ.
Read Cambridge on 1 Kings 6 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The foundation of the house of the LORD was laid in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, in the month of Ziv.
The foundation of Yahweh’s house was laid in the fourth year, in the month Ziv.
The foundation of the house of the LORD was laid in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, in the month of Ziv.
In the month Ziv of the fourth year of Solomon’s reign the foundation was laid for the Lord’s temple.
Tyndale line
¶ In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif:
In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of Jehovah laid, in the month Ziv.
In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Ziv.
In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif:
In the fourth yeere was the foundation of the house of the Lord layed in the moneth of Zif:
Strictly literal
In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of Jehovah laid, in the month Zif;
In the fourth year hath the house of Jehovah been founded, in the month Zif,
In the fourth year the house of YHWH has been founded, in the month of Ziv,
In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the Lord laid, in the month Ziv;
The foundation of the house of Yahweh was laid in the fourth year, in the month of Ziv.
From the Latin
In the fourth year was the house of the Lord founded in the month Zio:
Simplified
The foundation of the Lord's Temple was laid in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, in the month of Ziv.
In the fourth year the base of the house was put in its place, in the month Ziv.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of 1 Kings 6:37, with all seven words matched in the Hebrew and Greek versions. This demonstrates a strong textual consistency between the two witnesses.
בַּשָּׁנָה֙ הָֽרְבִיעִ֔ית יֻסַּ֖ד בֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה בְּיֶ֖רַח זִֽו׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Kings 6:37
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
שָׁנָה (shaneh) means 'year' and is derived from the root meaning to change or revolve. It encompasses various aspects of time, including divisions of time, measures of age, and even a lifetime. The Aramaic equivalent is שְׁנָה (she.nah), also meaning 'year'.
שָׁנָה 877 n.f. year (etym. v. √[v.ek.aa])
base
H8141 שָׁנָה year (etym. v. √[8138a])
8141 shaneh shaw-neh'
(in plura or (feminine) shanah {shaw-naw'}; from 8138; a year
(as a revolution of time):--+ whole age, X long, + old,
year(X -ly).
see HEBREW for 08138
שָׁנָה (sha.neh) — year.
1) year
1a) as division of time
1b) as measure of time
1c) as indication of age
1d) a lifetime (of years of life)
Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
yer (shanah, Aramaic shenah, "a return" (of the sun), like the Greek eniautos; yamim, "days," is also used for "year," and the Greek hemerai, corresponds to it (Jos 13:1; Lu 17,18); etos, is also employed frequently in the New Testament; for the difference between etos and eniautos, see Grimm-Thayer, under the word): The Hebrew year was solar, although the month was lunar, the adjustment being made in intercalation.
See ASTRONOMY; TIME.
Year
Heb. shanah, meaning “repetition” or “revolution” (Gen. 1:14; 5:3). Among the ancient Egyptians the year consisted of twelve months of thirty days each, with five days added to make it a complete revolution of the earth round the sun. The Jews reckoned the year in two ways, (1) according to a sacred calendar, in which the year began about the time of the vernal equinox, with the month Abib; and (2) according to a civil calendar, in which the year began about the time of the autumnal equinox, with the month Nisan. The month Tisri is now the beginning of the Jewish year.
the highest ordinary division of time. Two years were known to, and apparently used by, the Hebrews. A year of 360 days appears to have been in use in Noah’s time. The year used by the Hebrews from the time of the exodus may: be said to have been then instituted, since a current month, Abib, on the 14th day of which the first Passover was kept, was then made the first month of the year. The essential characteristics of this year can be clearly determined, though we cannot fix those of any single year. It was essentially solar for the offering of productions of the earth, first-fruits, harvest produce and ingathered fruits, was fixed to certain days of the year, two of which were in the periods of great feasts, the third itself a feast reckoned from one of the former days. But it is certain that the months were lunar, each commencing with a new moon. There must therefore have been some…
The Hebrews always had years of twelve months. But at the beginning, as some suppose, they were solar years of twelve months, each month having thirty days, excepting the twelfth, which had thirty-five days. We see, by the enumeration of the days of the deluge, Ge 7:1-8:22, that the original year consisted of three hundred and sixtyfive days. It is supposed that they had an intercalary month at the end of one hundred and twenty years, at which time the beginning of their year would be out of its place full thirty days. Subsequently, however, and throughout the history of the Jews, the year was wholly lunar, having alternately a full month of thirty days, and a defective month of twenty-nine days, thus completing their year in three hundred and fifty-four days. To accommodate this lunar year to the solar year, (365 days, 5 hours, 48…
רְבִיעִי (rbiy`iy) means 'fourth' and can also refer to a 'fourth part' or describe something as 'foursquare.' It is derived from the root word for 'four' and has both masculine and feminine forms. The term appears in contexts where ordinal numbers are used.
רְבִיעִי m., רְבִיעִית f., adj.num.ordin. fourth
base
H7243 רְבִיעִי, רְבִיעִית fourth
7243 rbiy`iy reb-ee-ee'
or rbiiy {reb-ee-ee'}; from 7251; fourth; also
(fractionally) a fourth:--foursquare, fourth (part).
see HEBREW for 07251
רְבִיעִי (re.vi.i) — fourth.
1) fourth
1a) fourth
1b) four square
1c) fourth part
Aramaic equivalent: re.vi.ay (רְבִיעִי "fourth" H7244)
Art | Adj — ParticleHTd/Aofsa
יָסַד (yacad) means to establish or found, with nuances of fixing and laying a foundation. It can refer to both literal and figurative settings, such as appointing or consulting. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal (to found), Niphal (to be founded), and Piel (to establish). The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
יָסַד vb. establish, found, fix
Qal found, establish
Niph.
fix or seat themselves close together, sit in conclave
be founded
Pi.
found
establish
Pu. be founded, be laid, of a foundation
Hoph. be founded
base
H3245 יָסַד establish, found, fix
3245 yacad yaw-sad'
a primitive root; to set (literally or figuratively);
intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e.
settle, consult:--appoint, take counsel, establish, (lay the,
lay for a) found(-ation), instruct, lay, ordain, set, X sure.
יָסַד (ya.sad) — to found.
1) to found, fix, establish, lay foundation
1a) (Qal) to found, establish, begin
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to fix or seat themselves close together, sit in conclave
1b2) to be founded
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to found
1c2) to establish, appoint, ordain
1d) (Pual) to be founded, be laid
1e) (Hophal) to be founded
V-Pual-Perf-3ms — Verb · Pual · perfect third person masculine singularHVPp3ms
The Hebrew word בַּיִת (*bayith*) means 'house' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including dwelling, family, and place. It can refer to physical structures, such as homes and temples, as well as metaphorical uses like the body or household affairs. The word is built from the root related to 'between' and appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between
base
בַּ֫יִת 2034 n.m. house
house
place
receptacle
of house as containing a family
household, family (592 t.)
house, including household affairs
lit. housewards, hence metaph. inwards
מִבַּיִת
adv. on the inside
prep. within
base
H1004a בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between H1004b בַּ֫יִת house
1004 bayith bah'-yith
probably from 1129 abbreviated; a house (in the greatest
variation of applications, especially family, etc.):--court,
daughter, door, + dungeon, family, + forth of, X great as
would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-hold),
inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet,
temple, web, + within(-out).
see HEBREW for 01129
בֵּית (bet) — place.
nm
place, origin, between
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — house: home.
: home/temple/building
nm
1) house
1a) house, dwelling habitation
1b) shelter or abode of animals
1c) human bodies (fig.)
1d) of Sheol
1e) of abode of light and darkness
1f) of land of Ephraim
2) place
3) receptacle
4) home, house as containing a family
5) household, family
5a) those belonging to the same household
5b) family of descendants, descendants as organized body
6) household affairs
7) inwards (metaph.)
8) (TWOT) temple
adv
9) on the inside
prep
10) within
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(ashbea).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Combined with ash.be.a (אַשְׁבֵּעַ "Ashbea" H0791)
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth (Haggan).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Combined with hag (גַּן "Haggan" H1588)
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(togarmah).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
יֶ֫רַח (yerach) means 'month' and is derived from an unused root of uncertain meaning. It refers to a lunar cycle or calendar month and is associated with the moon. The Aramaic equivalent is יְרַח (ye.rach).
יֶ֫רַח n.m. month
base
H3391 יֶ֫רַח month
3391 yerach yeh'-rakh
from a unused root of uncertain signification; a lunation,
i.e. month:--month, moon.
יֶ֫רַח (ye.rach) — month.
1) month (lunar cycle), moon
1a) month
1b) calendar month
Aramaic equivalent: ye.rach (יְרַח "month" H3393)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
זִו (ziv) refers to the second month of the year, corresponding to April-May, and is associated with brightness and the beginning of temple-building. The term likely derives from a root meaning to be prominent, emphasizing its connotation of brightness.
זִו appar. n.pr. of 2nd month, = c. April-May, named as month of beginning the temple-building
base
H2099 זִו
2099 Ziv zeev'
probably from an unused root meaning to be prominent;
properly, brightness (compare 2122), i.e. (figuratively) the
month of flowers; Ziv (corresponding to Ijar or May):--Zif.
see HEBREW for 02122
זִו (ziv) — Ziv.
§ Zif = "brightness"
name of the 2nd month of the year, corresponding to Apr-May
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
ziv (ziw; the King James Version Zif): The 2nd month of the old Hebrew calendar, corresponding to Iyyar of the Jewish reckoning in later times. It is mentioned in 1Ki 6:1,37.
See CALENDAR.