probably of foreign origin; Kisleu, the 9th Hebrew month; Chisleu.
Transliteration:Kiçlêv
Pronunciation:kis-lave'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term כִּסְלֵו (Kiçlêv), Strong's number `{{H3691}}`, designates the ninth month of the Hebrew civil calendar and the third month of the ecclesiastical calendar. Its base definition indicates a probable foreign origin, reflecting the influence of Babylonian and Aramaic calendar systems adopted by the Jewish people during and after the Babylonian exile. Unlike earlier biblical month names which often referenced agricultural cycles or numerical order (e.g., "the first month," "the month of Ziv" [[1 Kings 6:1]]), Kiçlêv is one of the post-exilic month names that became standard, alongside others like Nisan, Sivan, and Adar. The semantic range of Kiçlêv is singularly focused on its function as a temporal marker, identifying a specific period within the annual cycle. It carries no inherent moral, ethical, or symbolic meaning beyond its calendrical designation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Kiçlêv appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in post-exilic books, underscoring its adoption during that period:
1. **[[Nehemiah 1:1]]**: "The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa..."
* Here, Kiçlêv sets the precise temporal context for the opening of Nehemiah's narrative. It marks the moment Nehemiah receives the devastating news about the desolation of Jerusalem's walls and gates. This specific month initiates a period of deep lament, prayer, and ultimately, Nehemiah's resolve to seek permission from King Artaxerxes to return and rebuild. The timing in Kiçlêv is therefore crucial for understanding the genesis of Nehemiah's mission and the divine impetus behind the restoration of Jerusalem.
2. **[[Zechariah 7:1]]**: "In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Kislev."
* In Zechariah, Kiçlêv again functions as a precise chronological marker. This verse introduces a significant prophetic message concerning true worship and fasting. A delegation from Bethel has come to inquire whether they should continue their fasts, particularly the fast of the fifth month (commemorating the temple's destruction). The divine response, delivered in Kiçlêv, shifts the focus from ritualistic observance to the cultivation of justice, mercy, and compassion. The specific date in Kiçlêv thus serves as the backdrop for a profound theological discourse on the nature of genuine piety and obedience to God's will, contrasting outward forms with inward transformation.
In both contexts, Kiçlêv serves to anchor significant historical and prophetic events within the divine timeline, demonstrating God's sovereign orchestration of human affairs and His ongoing communication with His people even in the post-exilic era.
### Related Words & Concepts
Kiçlêv is primarily related to the broader concept of **time** and **calendrical systems** in the biblical world.
* **Other Post-Exilic Month Names**: It stands alongside other month names of probable foreign origin, such as Nisan (`{{H5212}}`), Sivan (`{{H5478}}`), Elul (`{{H435}}`), and Adar (`{{H143}}`). These names replaced or supplemented the earlier, more descriptive or numerically designated month names found in pre-exilic texts (e.g., Abib, Ziv, Ethanim, Bul).
* **Pre-Exilic Month Names**: The contrast with names like Abib (`{{H24}}`), Ziv (`{{H2099}}`), Ethanim (`{{H388}}`), and Bul (`{{H945}}`) highlights the shift in cultural and linguistic influences on the Hebrew calendar following the exile.
* **Hebrew Calendar**: Kiçlêv is an integral part of the structured Hebrew calendar, which organized agricultural cycles, festivals (though no major biblical festival falls *in* Kiçlêv, the post-biblical Hanukkah is observed during this month), and significant historical events.
* **Divine Providence and Chronology**: The precise dating of events by month and year, as seen in Nehemiah and Zechariah, underscores the biblical emphasis on God's active involvement in history and the unfolding of His redemptive plan within specific temporal frameworks.
### Theological Significance
While Kiçlêv itself is merely a name for a month, its appearances in Scripture carry theological weight by marking pivotal moments in God's interaction with His people.
* **Divine Timing and Sovereignty**: The fact that crucial events—Nehemiah's burden for Jerusalem and Zechariah's prophetic word on true worship—are tied to the month of Kiçlêv underscores the biblical emphasis on God's precise timing. It suggests that these were not random occurrences but part of a divinely orchestrated plan unfolding in history. God is sovereign over time, and events happen according to His appointed schedule.
* **Post-Exilic Faithfulness**: The use of a foreign-derived month name subtly points to the changed circumstances of the post-exilic community. Despite their exile and subjection to foreign powers, God remained faithful to His covenant, continuing to communicate with His prophets and empower leaders like Nehemiah. The inclusion of such a name in the sacred text affirms God's continued presence and activity even when His people are living under foreign influence.
* **Catalyst for Action and Revelation**: In both instances, Kiçlêv serves as a temporal catalyst. For Nehemiah, it marks the beginning of a journey of prayer, lament, and courageous action leading to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. For Zechariah, it sets the stage for a divine message that challenges superficial piety and calls for genuine righteousness, providing essential guidance for the returned exiles. Thus, the month becomes associated with moments of spiritual awakening, intercession, and divine instruction.
### Summary
Kiçlêv (`{{H3691}}`) is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar, a name of probable foreign origin adopted during the post-exilic period. Its two biblical occurrences in [[Nehemiah 1:1]] and [[Zechariah 7:1]] are crucial for establishing the precise chronology of significant events. In Nehemiah, Kiçlêv marks the inception of the prophet's burden for Jerusalem and the beginning of his mission to rebuild. In Zechariah, it serves as the date for a profound prophetic message concerning the nature of true worship and obedience. Though simply a temporal marker, the specific mention of Kiçlêv highlights God's precise timing and sovereignty over historical events, His continued faithfulness to His people in changed circumstances, and the unfolding of His divine plan through specific moments of lament, intercession, and prophetic revelation.
TRV