אֵיתָנִים

אֵיתָנִים

Ethanim, the name of a month

Definition

Ethanim is the name of the seventh month in the ancient Hebrew religious calendar, corresponding roughly to September-October. It is mentioned only once in the Bible, in 1 Kings 8:2, where it is specified as the month in which Solomon dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem. The name itself, meaning 'permanent' or 'enduring,' is derived from a word for perennial streams, likely reflecting the time of year when seasonal water sources were reliable. This month is later known in the Bible as Tishri, the name used after the Babylonian exile.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only one time in the Old Testament, in 1 Kings 8:2. It is used specifically as the name of a month to date a major historical and religious event: the assembly of the people of Israel for the dedication of Solomon's Temple. The usage is always with the definite article ('the Ethanim'), treating it as a proper noun for a specific time period.

Etymology

The word אֵיתָנִים (ʼÊythânîym) is the plural form of the adjective אֵיתָן (H386, 'êythân), meaning 'permanent,' 'enduring,' 'strong,' or 'ever-flowing' (often used for perennial streams). As a month name, the plural form likely functions as an abstract plural, conveying the sense of 'the month of permanence' or 'the enduring month,' possibly referring to the steady, reliable water sources at that time of year.

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a calendar term, its single biblical occurrence anchors a moment of supreme theological importance: the inauguration of God's dwelling place among His people. Understanding that this event took place in 'Ethanim,' the month of permanence, can symbolically underscore the hope for God's enduring presence in the newly built Temple. It connects the physical structure to the concept of God's faithful and lasting covenant. In the pre-exilic Israelite calendar, Ethanim was the seventh month and marked the beginning of the civil new year. It was a month rich with major festivals, including the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). The dedication of the Temple during this festival-packed month would have maximized national participation and connected the Temple's purpose to themes of atonement, God's provision, and joyful celebration. תִּשְׁרִי (Tishri, H????) — The Babylonian name for the same seventh month, adopted post-exile and used in later Jewish tradition.

Word Details