זִו (ziv)
ziv
Ziv
N:N-M-TQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-T
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ziv refers to the second month of the ancient Israelite calendar, roughly corresponding to April and May in our modern reckoning. Its name derives from a root meaning "brightness," capturing the clear, shining light characteristic of springtime in the Levant.
This word appears only twice in the Bible, both times in 1 Kings (6:1 and 6:37). In these passages, it serves as a precise chronological marker for Solomon’s temple construction. By anchoring the narrative to this specific month, the text highlights the timing of the project’s commencement and completion during a season associated with renewal and light.
While ziv itself is not a theological term, its use in 1 Kings connects the physical act of building with the natural order. The choice to date events by this "bright" month underscores the historical specificity of the account, grounding sacred history in the observable cycles of the year.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ziv simply names the second month of the ancient Israelite calendar, which falls around April and May. Its root meaning points to brightness or shining light, reflecting the clear skies and renewal of spring in the Levant. Though it appears only twice in Scripture, its use is deliberate and precise.
In 1 Kings 6:1 and 6:37, ziv marks the beginning and completion of Solomon’s temple construction. This timing connects sacred history with the natural world, showing that God’s work unfolds within real time and seasons. For us, it reminds that faithfulness often involves patience and attention to the rhythms of life.
When we read these verses, we see that God cares about details—dates, months, and the light of spring. This invites us to trust that our own seasons, whether bright or quiet, are held in His hands. There is comfort in knowing that history is not random, but ordered by a faithful Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ziv2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זִֽו\׃1×
- זִ֗ו1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 6:1
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Ziv, which is the second month, he began to build Yahweh’s house.
This verse uses ziv to mark the exact start of Solomon’s temple building, anchoring the narrative in a specific historical moment.
-
I Kings 6:37
The foundation of Yahweh’s house was laid in the fourth year, in the month Ziv.
Here ziv signals the completion of the foundation, showing how the month bookends the early stages of this major project.