Ziv/Iyyar
In the Torah, this month is just listed as the second month. However, in 1 Kings 6:1 states, “In the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel Exodus from the land of Egypt [Mitzrayim] — in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month — he built the temple for YaHVaH” and 6:37 states, “In [Solomon’s] fourth year the foundation of the House of YaHVaH was laid, in the month of Ziv” (Tanach, Stone edition).
The name would be changed to Iyyar after the Babylonian exile. See Why Babylonian Names for Jewish Months? by Lubavicth Rabbi Menachem Posner of Chabad.org.
Iyyar (or Iyar) is the name of the month adopted during the first Babylonian exile. There are two variations of the spelling according to Rabbi Leibel Gniwisch because of divorce documents in which some spell it with one yod while others with two yods. He concludes in practice it is spelled with two yods, Iyyar (אִייָר). The Hebrew calendar calls Iyyar the 8th month instead of the 2nd month.
© Copyright 11/2/2024, Minister Donald H. Garrett and Odon Obadyah Ministries, Inc.
