Zif

Zif (meaning: brightness; comeliness) was the ancient Hebrew name for the second month of the sacred calendar, called Iyar by the Jews of the post-exilic period. It corresponded roughly to April–May in the modern calendar. The name appears only twice in Scripture, both times in connection with Solomon's temple: 1 Kings 6:1 records that Solomon began building the temple "in the month Zif, which is the second month," and 1 Kings 6:37 notes that the foundation was laid in the month of Zif.

The month of Zif falls in the spring, after Abib/Nisan (the Passover month), when the land of Israel is in full bloom — consistent with the meaning "brightness" or "the flower month." After the Babylonian exile, Hebrew months were increasingly referred to by Babylonian names, and Zif gave way to Iyar in common usage.