Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Zebulun is one of the twelve tribes of Israel, named after the sixth son of Jacob and Leah. The tribe holds a significant place in biblical history and prophecy, with its inheritance and role in Israelite society detailed throughout the Scriptures.
Etymology and Birth:The name Zebulun is believed to mean "dwelling" or "honor." Leah named him Zebulun, expressing her hope that her husband Jacob would honor her for bearing him six sons. This is recorded in
Genesis 30:19-20 : "And Leah conceived again and bore a sixth son to Jacob. Then Leah said, 'God has endowed me with a good gift. Now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.' So she named him Zebulun."
Territory and Inheritance:The tribe of Zebulun was allotted a portion of land in the Promised Land, as described in the Book of Joshua. Zebulun's territory was located in the northern part of Israel, bordered by the tribes of Asher, Naphtali, and Issachar.
Joshua 19:10-16 outlines the boundaries and cities within Zebulun's inheritance, emphasizing its strategic location and fertile land.
Role in Israel's History:Zebulun played a vital role in the military and economic life of Israel. The tribe is noted for its warriors, as seen in the Song of Deborah, where Zebulun is praised for risking their lives in battle (
Judges 5:18): "Zebulun was a people who risked their lives; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield."
In the time of King David, the men of Zebulun were among those who joined him at Hebron to turn the kingdom of Saul over to David, as recorded in
1 Chronicles 12:33 : "From Zebulun, 50,000 fit for service, trained for battle with all kinds of weapons of war, who with one purpose were devoted to David."
Prophetic Significance:The tribe of Zebulun is mentioned in the blessings of Jacob and Moses. Jacob's blessing in
Genesis 49:13 foretells Zebulun's future prosperity and maritime involvement: "Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a haven for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon."
Moses' blessing in
Deuteronomy 33:18-19 highlights Zebulun's joy and participation in sacrifices: "About Zebulun he said: 'Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents. They will summon the peoples to the mountain; there they will offer sacrifices of righteousness, for they will feast on the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.'"
New Testament Reference:Zebulun is also mentioned in the New Testament in the context of Jesus' ministry.
Matthew 4:13-16 cites the prophecy of Isaiah, indicating that Jesus' presence in the region of Zebulun fulfilled the prophecy of light coming to those in darkness: "Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.'"
Conclusion:Zebulun's legacy is one of honor, bravery, and fulfillment of prophecy. The tribe's contributions to Israel's history and its prophetic significance underscore its importance in the biblical narrative.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
ZebulunZebulon, dwelling; habitation
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Zebulun(a habitation), the tenth of the sons of Jacob, according to the order in which their births are enumerated, the sixth and last of Leah. (Genesis 30:20;35:23;46:14;1 Chronicles 2:1) His birth is mentioned in (Genesis 30:19,20) Of the individual Zebulun nothing is recorded. The list of Genesis46 ascribes to him three sons, founders of the chief families of the tribe (comp.) (Numbers 26:26) at the time of the migration to Egypt. The tribe is not recorded to have taken part, for evil or good, in any of the events of the wandering or the conquest. The statement of Josephus is probably in the main correct, that it reached on the one side to the Lake of Gennesareth and on the other to Carmel and the Mediterranean. On the south it was bounded by Issachar, who lay in the great plain or valley of the Kishon; on the north it had Naphtali and Asher. Thus remote from the centre of government, Zebulun remains throughout the history with one exception, in the obscurity which envelops the whole of the northern tribes. That exception, however, is a remarkable one. The conduct of the tribe during the struggle with Sisera, when they fought with desperate valor side by side with their brethren of Naphtali, was such as to draw down the special praise of Deborah, who singles them out from cell the other tribes. (Judges 5:18)
ATS Bible Dictionary
Zebulun1. OrZABULON,Revelation 7:8, the sixth son of Jacob and Leah, born in Mesopotamia,Genesis 30:20. Moses gives us few particulars respecting him. His tribe was respectable for numbers,Numbers 1:30 26:26; and its portion in the Holy Land accorded with the prediction of Jacob,Genesis 49:13, extending from the Mediterranean sea at Carmel to the sea of Gemnesaret, between Issachar on the south, and Naphtali and Asher on the north and north-west,Joshua 19:10. His posterity are often mentioned in connection with Issachar, his nearest brother, De 33:18. They were entangled with the Phoenicians on the west,Jude 1:30Isaiah 8:22, and took part with Barak and Gideon in the defense of the country against its oppressors, Jud 4:10 5:18 6:35. Elon, one of the Judges of Israel, was a Zebulunite, Jud 12:11-12. The inhabitants of this region in the time of Christ were highly favored by his instructionsNazareth and Cana, Capernaum, Magdala, and Tiberias being all in these limits.
2. A city in the border of Asher, but probably belonging to Zebulun,Joshua 19:27.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Dwelling, the sixth and youngest son of Jacob and Leah (
Genesis 30:20). Little is known of his personal history. He had three sons (
46:14).
Zebulun, Lot of
In Galilee, to the north of Issachar and south of Asher and Naphtali (Joshua 19:10-16), and between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean. According to ancient prophecy this part of Galilee enjoyed a large share of our Lord's public ministry (Isaiah 9:1, 2;Matthew 4:12-16).
Zebulun, Tribe of
Numbered at Sinai (Numbers 1:31) and before entering Canaan (26:27). It was one of the tribes which did not drive out the Canaanites, but only made them tributary (Judges 1:30). It took little interest in public affairs. It responded, however, readily to the summons of Gideon (6:35), and afterwards assisted in enthroning David at Hebron (1 Chronicles 12:33, 40). Along with the other northern tribes, Zebulun was carried away into the land of Assyria by Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings 15:29).
In Deborah's song the words, "Out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer" (Judges 5:14) has been rendered in the R.V., "They that handle the marshal's staff." This is a questionable rendering. "The word sopher (`scribe' or 'writer') defines the word shebhet (`rod' or `pen') with which it is conjoined. The `rod of the scribe' on the Assyrian monuments was the stylus of wood or metal, with the help of which the clay tablet was engraved, or the papyrus inscribed with characters. The scribe who wielded it was the associate and assistant of the `lawgivers.'" (Sayce).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ZEBULUNzeb'-u-lun (zebhulun, also written zebuwlun and zebuluwn; the first form occurs only inJudges 1:30; the other two are frequent, and are used interchangeably; Zaboulon): InGenesis 30:20 Leah exclaims, "God hath endowed me with a good dowry," which suggests a derivation of Zebulun from zabhadh, "to bestow," the (d) being replaced by (l). Again she says, "Now will my husband dwell with me (or "honor me"): and she called his name Zebulun"; the derivation being from zabhal, "to exalt" or "honor" (OHL, under the word).
Zebulun was the 10th son of Jacob, the 6th borne to him by Leah in Paddan-aram. Nothing is known of this patriarch's life, save in so far as it coincides with that of his brethren. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan says that he first of the five brethren was presented to Pharaoh by Joseph, when Israel and his house arrived in Egypt (Genesis 47:2). Three sons, Sered, Elon and Jahleel, were born to him in Canaan, and these became the ancestors of the three main divisions of the tribe (Genesis 46:14).
The position of the tribe of Zebulun in the wilderness was with the standard of the camp of Judah on the east side of the tabernacle (Numbers 2:7). This camp moved foremost on the march (Numbers 2:9). At the first census Zebulun numbered 57,400 men of war (Numbers 1:30), the prince of the tribe being Eliab, son of Helon (Numbers 1:9). At the second census the men of war numbered 60,500 (Numbers 26:27); see, however, NUMBERS. Among the spies Zebulun was represented by Gaddiel son of Sodi (Numbers 13:10). To assist in the division of the land Elizaphan son of Parnach was chosen (Numbers 34:25). At Shechem Zebulun, the descendants of Leah's youngest son, stood along with Reuben, whose disgrace carried with it that of his tribe, and the descendants of the sons of the handmaids, over against the other six, who traced their descent to Rachel and Leah (Deuteronomy 27:13). At the second division of territory the lot of Zebulun came up third, and assigned to him a beautifully diversified stretch of country in the North. The area of his possession is in general clear enough, but it is impossible to define the boundaries exactly (Joshua 19:10-16). It "marched" with Naphtali on the East and Southeast, and with Asher on the West and Northwest. The line ran northward from Mt. Tabor, keeping on the heights West of the Sea of Galilee, on to Kerr `Anan (Hannathon). It turned westward along the base of the mountain, and reached the border of Asher, probably by the vale of `Abilin. It then proceeded southward to the Kishon opposite Tell Kaimun (Jokneam). As the plain belonged to Issachar, the south border would skirt its northern edge, terminating again at Tabor, probably near Deburiyeh (Daberath), which belonged to Issachar (Joshua 21:28).
The details given are confusing. It is to be observed that this does not bring Zebulun into touch with the sea, and so is in apparent contradiction withGenesis 49:13, and also with Josephus (Ant., V, i, 22; BJ, III, iii, 1), who says the lot of Zebulun included the land which "lay as far as the Lake of Gennesareth, and that which belonged to Carmel and the sea." Perhaps, however, the limits changed from time to time. So far as the words inGenesis 49:13 are concerned, Delitzsch thinks they do not necessarily imply actual contact with the sea; but only that his position should enable him to profit by maritime trade. This it certainly did; the great caravan route, via maris, passing through his territory. Thus he could "suck the treasures of the sea." See alsoTABOR, MOUNT. Within the boundaries thus roughly indicated were all varieties of mountain and plain, rough upland country. shady wood and fruitful valley. What is said of the territory of Naphtali applies generally to this. Olive groves and vineyards are plentiful. Good harvests are gathered on the sunny slopes, and on the rich levels of the Plain of Asochis (el-BaTTauf).
Elon the Zebulunite was the only leader given by the tribe to Israel of whom we have any record (Judges 12:11 f); but the people were brave and skillful in war, furnishing, according to the So of Deborah, "(them) that handle the marshal's staff" (Judges 5:14). The tribe sent 50,000 single-hearted warriors, capable and well equipped, to David at Hebron (1 Chronicles 12:33). From their rich land they brought stores of provisions (1 Chronicles 12:40). Over Zebulun in David's time was Ishmaiah, son of Obadiah (1 Chronicles 27:19). Although they had fallen away, Hezekiah proved that many of them were capable of warm response to the appeal of religious duty and privilege (2 Chronicles 30:10, 18). They are not named, but it is probable that Zebulun suffered along with Naphtali in the invasion of Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings 15:29). In later days the men from these breezy uplands lent strength and enterprise to the Jewish armies. Jotapata (Tell Jifat), the scene of Josephus' heroic defense, was in Zebulun. So was Sepphoris (Seffuriyeh), which was for a time the capital of Galilee (Ant., XVIII, ii, 1; BJ, VII; III, ii, 4). Nazareth, the home of our Saviour's boyhood, is sheltered among its lower hills.
W. Ewing
Greek
2194. Zaboulon --Zebulun, a son of Jacob and one of the Isr....... Zaboulon. 2195 .
Zebulun, a son of Jacob and one of the Isr.
... Word Origin of Hebrew
origin
Zebulun Definition
Zebulun, a son of Jacob and one of the Isr.
...Strong's Hebrew
2074.Zebulun -- a son of Jacob, also his desc. and their...Zebulun or
Zebulun or
Zebulun. 2073, 2074.
Zebulun or
Zebulun or
Zebulun.
2075 . a son of Jacob, also his desc. and their territory.
...2075. Zebuloni -- descendant ofZebulun
... descendant ofZebulun. Transliteration: Zebuloni Phonetic Spelling: (zeb-oo-lo-nee')
Short Definition: Zebulunite. Word Origin fromZebulun Definition desc....
4831. Maralah -- a place on the border ofZebulun
... 4830, 4831. Maralah. 4832 . a place on the border ofZebulun. Transliteration:
Maralah Phonetic Spelling: (mar-al-aw') Short Definition: Maralah....
8301a. Sarid -- a city on the border ofZebulun
... 8301, 8301a. Sarid. 8301b . a city on the border ofZebulun. Transliteration:
Sarid Short Definition: Sarid. Word Origin from sarad...
5096. Nahalal -- a place inZebulun
... 5095, 5096. Nahalal or Nahalol. 5097 . a place inZebulun. Transliteration:
Nahalal or Nahalol Phonetic Spelling: (nah-hal-awl') Short Definition: Nahalal....
6535. Parnak -- a man ofZebulun
... 6534, 6535. Parnak. 6536 . a man ofZebulun. Transliteration: Parnak Phonetic
Spelling: (par-nak') Short Definition: Parnach. Word...
2615. Channathon -- a place inZebulun
... 2614, 2615. Channathon. 2616 . a place inZebulun. Transliteration: Channathon
Phonetic Spelling: (khan-naw-thone') Short Definition: Hannathon....
3309. Yaphia -- a king of Lachish, also a son of David, also a...
... a king of Lachish, also a son of David, also a place on the border ofZebulun.
Transliteration: Yaphia Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-fee'-ah) Short Definition: Japhia...
1829. Dimnah -- a Levitical city inZebulun
... 1828, 1829. Dimnah. 1830 . a Levitical city inZebulun. Transliteration:
Dimnah Phonetic Spelling: (dim-naw') Short Definition: Dimnah....
6278. Eth Qatsin -- "time of a ruler," a place on the border of...
... "time of a ruler," a place on the border ofZebulun. Transliteration: Eth Qatsin
Phonetic Spelling: (ayth kaw-tseen') Short Definition: Eth-kazin....
Library
The Testament ofZebulun Concerning Compassion and Mercy.
... VI."The Testament ofZebulun Concerning Compassion and Mercy.... And he said to them:
Hearken to me sons ofZebulun, attend to the words of your father....
Jesus' Temporary Residence at Capernaum.
... He may have dwelt with some of his disciples"for instance, Simon Peter"Matthew
8:14-16], which is by the sea, in the borders ofZebulun and Naphtali...
Deborah's Song
... Out of Machir came down governors". Men. And out ofZebulun they that handle the
marshal's staff. Women. And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah". Men....
A Loving Call to Reunion
... So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh,
even untoZebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.11....
Jesus Comes to Capernaum. Statements of the Four Evangelists
... that John was delivered up, He departed into Galilee, and leaving Nazareth He came
and dwelt at Capernaum on the seashore in the borders ofZebulun and Naphtali...
The Recall of the Fishermen.
... And he came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, which is by the sea, in the borders
ofZebulun and Naphtali: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken...
Women who Saved a Nation
... From Machir, commanders went down, FromZebulun, standard-bearers, Issachar's princes
with Deborah, And with Barak, the men of Naphtali; Into the valley they...
But when Simon Cephas Saw this He Fell Before the Feet of Jesus...
... [36] [498] And he left Nazareth, and came and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea shore,
in the [37] borders ofZebulun and Naphtali: [499] that it might be...
The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
... mighty, From Ephraim they rushed forth into the valley, Thy brother Benjamin among
thy peoples, From Machir went down, commanders, And fromZebulun those who...
The Assyrian Captivity
... "From city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even untoZebulun,"
the couriers sent out by Hezekiah carried the message....
Thesaurus
Zebulun (46 Occurrences)... He had three sons (46:14).
Zebulun, Lot of.
...Zebulun, Tribe of. Numbered at
Sinai (Numbers 1:31) and before entering Canaan (26:27).
...Zebulun's (1 Occurrence)
...Zebulun's (1 Occurrence). Matthew 4:15 "Zebulun's land and Naphtali's land; the
road by the Lake; the country beyond the Jordan; Galilee of the Nations! (WEY)....
Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)
Zeb'ulun.Zebulun, Zeb'ulun. Zebulunite .... Matthew 4:15 Land ofZebulun and land
of Naphtali, way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations!...
Eliab (20 Occurrences)
... 11:6). (2.) A son of Helon, and chief of the tribe ofZebulun at the time
of the census in the wilderness (Numbers 1:9; 2:7). (3...
Helon (5 Occurrences)
... Strong, father of Eliab, who was "captain of the children ofZebulun" (Numbers
1:9; 2:7). Int.... Numbers 1:9 OfZebulun: Eliab the son of Helon....
Is'sachar (40 Occurrences)
... Genesis 35:23 The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah,
Issachar, andZebulun.... Exodus 1:3 Issachar,Zebulun, and Benjamin, (See RSV)....
Elon (8 Occurrences)
... (3.) One of the sons ofZebulun (Genesis 46:14). (4.) The eleventh of the Hebrew
judges.... (2) A son ofZebulun (Genesis 46:14 Numbers 26:26)....
Eli'ab (19 Occurrences)
... Numbers 1:9 OfZebulun, Eliab the son of Helon. (See RSV).... Numbers 7:24 On the third
day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children ofZebulun: (See RSV)....
Naph'tali (47 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:13 and having left Nazareth, having come, he dwelt at Capernaum that is
by the sea, in the borders ofZebulun and Naphtalim, (See RSV)....
Kartah (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary City, a town in the tribe ofZebulun assigned
to the Levites of the family of Merari (Joshua 21:34). It...
Resources
Who was Zebulun in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Zebulun? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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