Bul
What Was the Month of Bul?
Bul is the name of the eighth month in the ancient Israelite calendar, mentioned in 1 Kings 6:38. This verse records that Solomon's temple was completed in the month of Bul, in the eleventh year of his reign. The name is of Phoenician origin and is associated with the beginning of the rainy season, when the early rains would soften the ground for plowing and planting. Bul roughly corresponds to the modern months of October and November.
Bul and the Completion of the Temple
The sole biblical reference to Bul comes in a milestone verse: "In the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its details and according to all its plans. So he was seven years in building it" (1 Kings 6:38). This means Solomon's temple took seven years to construct, beginning in the month of Ziv (the second month) of his fourth year (1 Kings 6:1) and concluding in Bul of his eleventh year. The completion of the temple was one of the most significant events in Israel's history, establishing a permanent dwelling place for the presence of God.
The Ancient Calendar System
The month name Bul belongs to the older Canaanite-Phoenician calendar system that Israel used before adopting Babylonian month names during the exile. Other pre-exilic month names preserved in Scripture include Abib (the first month, Exodus 13:4), Ziv (the second month, 1 Kings 6:1), and Ethanim (the seventh month, 1 Kings 8:2). After the Babylonian exile, these names were replaced by Babylonian ones: Bul's equivalent became Marcheshvan (or simply Cheshvan), which remains in use in the Jewish calendar today.
The Rainy Season Begins
The meaning of Bul is connected to rain and moisture, marking the transition from the dry summer months to the rainy winter season in the land of Israel. The early rains of Bul were essential for agriculture, softening the sun-baked soil so it could be plowed and planted with winter crops. This seasonal marker gave the month its character and significance in the agricultural cycle that governed daily life in ancient Israel. The importance of these rains is reflected throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 11:14; Joel 2:23).
Phoenician Influence on Israel's Calendar
The Phoenician origin of the name Bul reflects the cultural connections between Israel and its northern neighbors. Solomon himself had close diplomatic and commercial ties with the Phoenician king Hiram of Tyre, who provided skilled workers and materials for the temple construction (1 Kings 5:1-12). The use of Phoenician month names in the biblical record of temple construction may not be coincidental, reflecting the international character of Solomon's building project.
Bul in Jewish Tradition
In later Jewish tradition, the month corresponding to Bul (Marcheshvan or Cheshvan) became known as the only month in the Jewish calendar without any festivals or holy days. Some rabbinic sources suggest that this month may someday be honored with a festival to mark the future dedication of the messianic temple. The association of Bul with Solomon's temple completion adds poignancy to this tradition, connecting the past glory of the first temple with future hope.
Biblical Context
Bul is mentioned only in 1 Kings 6:38 as the month when Solomon's temple was completed. It is identified as the eighth month in the Israelite calendar and belongs to the pre-exilic Canaanite-Phoenician naming system used in several passages of Kings.
Theological Significance
The completion of the temple in the month of Bul marked the fulfillment of David's desire to build a permanent house for God's presence. The seven-year construction period and the specific recording of the completion month emphasize the significance of this achievement in Israel's spiritual history and God's dwelling among His people.
Historical Background
The pre-exilic Israelite calendar used month names of Canaanite-Phoenician origin, later replaced by Babylonian names during the exile. Bul corresponds to Marcheshvan in the post-exilic calendar. The Gezer Calendar, an ancient Hebrew inscription dating to about the 10th century BC, describes agricultural activities by month, confirming the importance of seasonal markers like Bul in daily life.