Lexical Summary
Zebulun: Zebulun
Original Word:זְבוּלוּן
Part of Speech:Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration:Zbuwluwn
Pronunciation:zev-oo-LOON
Phonetic Spelling:(zeb-oo-loon')
KJV: Zebulun
NASB:Zebulun
Word Origin:[fromH2082 (זָבַל - dwell)]
1. habitation
2. Zebulon, a son of Jacob
3. also his territory and tribe
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Zebulun
Or Zbuluwn {zeb-oo-loon'}; or Zbuwlun {zeb-oo-loon'}; fromzabal; habitation; Zebulon, a son of Jacob; also his territory and tribe -- Zebulun.
see HEBREWzabal
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
zabalDefinitiona son of Jacob, also his desc. and their territory
NASB TranslationZebulun (45).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, (on explanation of name given in E and J compare , ); —
Genesis 49:13 25t.;
Judges 5:18 17t.;
Judges 1:30; —
Genesis 30:20;Genesis 35:23;Genesis 46:14;Genesis 49:13;Exodus 1:3;1 Chronicles 2:1.
Numbers 1:9;Deuteronomy 27:13;Deuteronomy 33:18 (twice in verse);Judges 1:30;Judges 4:10;Judges 5:14,18;Ezekiel 48:26;1 Chronicles 12:34;1 Chronicles 12:41;1 Chronicles 27:19; 2Chronicles 30:11,18; comparePsalm 68:28;Ezekiel 48:33;Numbers 1:30;Numbers 2:7;Numbers 7:24;Numbers 26:26;Joshua 19:10,16;Judges 4:6;Numbers 1:31;Numbers 2:7;Numbers 13:10;Numbers 10:16;Numbers 34:25.
Judges 12:12,Isaiah 8:23,Ezekiel 48:27; also aloneJoshua 19:27,34; 2Chronicles 30:10,Joshua 21:7,34;1 Chronicles 6:48;1 Chronicles 6:62.
Topical Lexicon
Personal Identity and GenealogyZebulun is the sixth son born to Leah and the tenth of Jacob’s twelve sons (Genesis 30:19-20). His name is connected with the idea of “honor” or “dwelling,” echoing Leah’s hope that Jacob would now “dwell” with her. Zebulun’s three recorded sons—Sered, Elon, and Jahleel—become clan-heads within the later tribe (Genesis 46:14;Numbers 26:26).
Patriarchal Blessings
Jacob’s dying words picture Zebulun as a seafaring, commerce-minded people: “Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a haven for ships; his border will extend toward Sidon” (Genesis 49:13). Moses expands this, pairing the tribe with Issachar: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys…they will feast on the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand” (Deuteronomy 33:18-19). Both blessings anticipate mercantile activity, coastal influence, and material abundance.
Tribal Formation and Census Data
At Sinai the tribe mustered 57,400 fighting men, making it one of Israel’s larger contingents (Numbers 1:30-31). The second census near the Jordan records 60,500 (Numbers 26:27), indicating growth during the wilderness years. Eliab son of Helon served as the first tribal leader (Numbers 1:9).
Territorial Allotment in Canaan
Joshua’s lot places Zebulun west of the Sea of Galilee and north of Manasseh (Joshua 19:10-16). Though landlocked, its territory reached the Phoenician trade routes, explaining the patriarchal “seashore” motif. Cities such as Bethlehem of Galilee, Nahalal, and Shimron lie within its inheritance. Levitical towns Jokneam, Kartah, Dimnah, and Nahalal were ceded to the Merarites (Joshua 21:34).
Military Contributions in the Judges Era
Zebulun responds swiftly when Barak and Deborah summon troops against Sisera. “From Zebulun came those who wield the spear” (Judges 5:14). Their warriors are further praised: “Zebulun was a people who risked their lives to death” (Judges 5:18). The tribe again joins Gideon’s call (Judges 6:35) and supplies Elon, a Judge of Israel (Judges 12:11-12).
United Monarchy and Kingdom Service
During Saul’s decline, 50,000 well-trained men of Zebulun, “experienced in all kinds of battle weapons,” rally to David at Hebron (1 Chronicles 12:33). They bring food in abundance as part of the national celebration (1 Chronicles 12:40). Under Solomon, Ahimaaz son of Zadok serves as district governor in Naphtali, a region including Zebulunite towns (1 Kings 4:15).
Covenant Renewal and Religious Reform
Despite falling into idolatry after Jeroboam’s schism, individuals from Zebulun humble themselves during Hezekiah’s invitation to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 30:10-11, 18). Later reforms under Josiah see altars dismantled “from Manasseh to Zebulun” (2 Chronicles 34:6-7), signaling revivalist penetration into the northern districts.
Prophetic References
Isaiah foresees judgment and hope: “In the former time He humbled the land of Zebulun… but in the latter time He will honor the way of the sea” (Isaiah 9:1). This prophecy becomes foundational for Gospel geography. Ezekiel’s millennial vision allots Zebulun a strip of land south of Issachar (Ezekiel 48:26) and names a northern gate after the tribe (Ezekiel 48:33).
New Testament Echoes
Matthew identifies Jesus’ move to Capernaum as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s word concerning “the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali” (Matthew 4:13-16). Thus, Zebulun’s territory hosts early Galilean ministry, underscoring divine intentionality in salvation history.
Theological Themes
1. Covenant Faithfulness: Zebulun’s repeated willingness to answer calls to battle and worship displays loyalty to the covenant.
2. Missional Geography: Situated between inland Israel and the Phoenician coast, the tribe serves as a bridge for trade and, prophetically, for the light of Messiah to reach the nations (Isaiah 9:1-2;Matthew 4:15-16).
3. Blessing and Provision: From Jacob to Moses, promises of maritime commerce and “treasures of the sand” speak of God’s material provision and wider influence through Zebulun.
Key Occurrences
Genesis 30:19-20; 49:13
Numbers 1:30-31; 26:27
Deuteronomy 33:18-19
Joshua 19:10-16
Judges 4:6, 10; 5:14, 18; 6:35
1 Chronicles 12:33
2 Chronicles 30:10-11
Isaiah 9:1
Ezekiel 48:26, 33
Matthew 4:13-16
Summary of Character and Legacy
Zebulun stands out as a tribe of courageous fighters, industrious traders, and willing worshipers. Its land becomes the cradle of Galilean revelation, where Jesus begins His public ministry, turning prophetic promise into redemptive reality. The storyline of Zebulun showcases God’s sovereign orchestration of geography, economy, and history to advance His kingdom purposes.
Forms and Transliterations
בִּ֠זְבֻלוּן בִּזְבֻל֜וּן בזבלון וְלִזְבוּלֻ֣ן וּבִזְבֻלוּן֙ וּזְבֻלֽוּן׃ וּזְבֻלוּן֙ וּזְבוּלֻ֖ן וּזְבוּלֻֽן׃ וּמִ֨זְּבוּלֻ֔ן וּמִזְּבֻל֑וּן ובזבלון וזבולן וזבולן׃ וזבלון וזבלון׃ ולזבולן ומזבולן ומזבלון זְ֝בֻל֗וּן זְבֻל֑וּן זְבֻל֗וּן זְבֻלֽוּן׃ זְבֻלוּן֙ זְבוּלֻ֑ן זְבוּלֻ֔ן זְבוּלֻ֕ן זְבוּלֻ֖ן זְבוּלֻ֗ן זְבוּלֻ֤ן זְבוּלֻ֥ן זְבוּלֻֽן׃ זְבוּלֻן֙ זְבוּלֻן֮ זבולן זבולן׃ זבלון זבלון׃ יִשָׂשכָ֨ר יששכר לִזְבוּלֻ֕ן לזבולן מִזְּבֻל֞וּן מזבלון biz·ḇu·lūn bizḇulūn Bizvulun liz·ḇū·lun lizḇūlun lizvuLun miz·zə·ḇu·lūn mizzəḇulūn mizzevuLun ū·ḇiz·ḇu·lūn ū·miz·zə·ḇu·lūn ū·miz·zə·ḇū·lun ū·zə·ḇu·lūn ū·zə·ḇū·lun ūḇizḇulūn ūmizzəḇulūn ūmizzəḇūlun uMizzevuLun uvizvuLun ūzəḇulūn ūzəḇūlun uzevuLun velizvuLun wə·liz·ḇū·lun wəlizḇūlun yi·śā·š·ḵār yiśāšḵār yisoshChar zə·ḇu·lūn zə·ḇū·lun zəḇulūn zəḇūlun zevuLun
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