I. City (1) City in the southernmost part of Judah (Josh. 15:24), identified with ez-Zeifeh, southwest of Kurnûb.
(2) Location in the hill country of Judah (Josh. 15:55), near the wilderness and a forest (1 Sam. 23:14, 15). Rehoboam fortified it (2 Chron. 11:8). Identified with Tell Zîf, notable height, 878 m. high, 6 km south-southeast of Hebron.
(3) Man of Judah, of the house of Jehaleel (1 Chron. 4:16). II. Month, (Heb. “splendor [of open flowers].”) The second month of the Jewish year (1 Kings 6:1, 37), approx. the month of May.
The Canaanite name of Zif was replaced, after the exile, by that of Iyar, belonging to the calendar of Nippur (Babylon).
Meaning of ZIF
I. City (1) City in the southernmost part of Judah (Josh. 15:24), identified with ez-Zeifeh, southwest of Kurnûb.