The kibbutz was established in 1952 and was initially named Tziklag after the Biblical city of Ziklag, which was thought to have been located nearby. Originally the founders had been unsure whether to settle in the Negev or Galilee, but accepted a government decision that settling on Tel Halifa in the Negev was more important. After a few years, the kibbutz was renamed Lahav in honour of the Nahal group which established it
