Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Sidonian" refers to the inhabitants of Sidon, an ancient Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast in what is now modern-day Lebanon. Sidon, along with its sister city Tyre, was one of the principal cities of the Phoenician civilization, known for its maritime trade, skilled artisans, and production of purple dye. The Sidonians are frequently mentioned in the Bible, often in the context of their interactions with the Israelites and their influence on the surrounding regions.
Biblical References:1.
Historical Context: Sidon is first mentioned in the Table of Nations in
Genesis 10:15, where Sidon is listed as the firstborn son of Canaan: "Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites" . This establishes Sidon as a significant Canaanite city from early biblical history.
2.
Cultural and Religious Influence: The Sidonians were known for their worship of Baal and Ashtoreth, deities that often led the Israelites into idolatry. In
Judges 10:6, the Israelites are described as doing evil in the sight of the Lord by serving the gods of Sidon: "Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. They served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, Moab, the Ammonites, and the Philistines" .
3.
Political Interactions: During the reign of King Solomon, the Sidonians were noted for their skilled labor, particularly in the area of timber. Solomon enlisted the help of the Sidonians for the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. In
1 Kings 5:6, Solomon requests cedar from Lebanon, acknowledging the Sidonians' expertise: "Now therefore, command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My servants will work with yours, and I will pay your servants whatever wages you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians" .
4.
Prophetic Warnings: The prophets often spoke against Sidon, warning of divine judgment due to their idolatry and pride. In
Ezekiel 28:22, the Lord declares His judgment against Sidon: "And you will know that I am the LORD, when I execute judgments against her and am sanctified through her" . This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over all nations and His intolerance of idolatry.
5.
New Testament Mentions: In the New Testament, Jesus mentions Sidon in the context of His ministry and the reception of His message. In
Matthew 11:21-22, Jesus reproaches the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, comparing them unfavorably to Tyre and Sidon: "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes" . This highlights the hardness of heart of the Jewish cities in contrast to the potential receptivity of the Gentile cities.
Significance:The Sidonians, as part of the broader Phoenician culture, played a significant role in the ancient Near East through their trade networks and cultural exchanges. Their interactions with Israel, both positive and negative, are a testament to the complex relationships between the Israelites and their neighbors. The biblical narrative often uses Sidon as a symbol of idolatry and foreign influence, serving as a cautionary example for the people of Israel to remain faithful to the covenant with Yahweh.
Greek
4606. Sidonios -- of Sidon... of Sidon. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: Sidonios Phonetic Spelling:
(sid-o'-nee-os) Short Definition:
Sidonian Definition:
Sidonian, inhabitant of
...Strong's Hebrew
8303. Siryon -- aSidonian name for Mount Hermon... 8302, 8303. Siryon. 8304 . a
Sidonian name for Mount Hermon. Transliteration:
Siryon Phonetic Spelling: (shir-yone') Short Definition: Sirion.
...6722. Tsidoni -- an inhabitant of Sidon
... Word Origin from Tsidon Definition an inhab. of Sidon NASB Word UsageSidonian
(1), Sidonians (15).Sidonian, of Sidon, Zidonian....
6252. Ashtarowth -- a place East of the Jordan
... Or bashtaroth {ash-taw-roth'}; plural of ashtrah; Ashtaroth, the name of aSidonian
deity, and of a place East of the Jordan -- Asharoth, Astaroth....
Library
The Record of Two Kings
... and would have shuddered at the very notion of bowing down to the gods of the nations,
but in less than fifty years a temple to theSidonian Baal rose in...
Obadiah; Or, Early Piety Eminent Piety
... sink of iniquity. That strong-minded, proud,Sidonian Queen twisted poor
Ahab round her fingers just as she pleased. He might never...
Continued.
... and making Lebanon rock with all its woods"leaping across the deep valley of
Coelo-Syria, and smiting Hermon (for which Sirion is aSidonian name), the crest...
The Emperor and Empress
... the hall. They woreSidonian war-cloaks so richly dight that there were
pearls on their girdles and emeralds in their helmets. [8...
Obadiah
... The feminine rage of the fierceSidonian woman, whom Ahab obeyed in most things,
burned hot against the enemies of her father's gods, and hotter, perhaps...
Jesus and the Syro-Phoenician Woman
... Matthew, that the Canaanitish woman' who sought His help came out from those borders' -
that is, from out the Tyro-Sidonian district - into that Galilean...
Jesus and his Fellow Townsmen.
... In the great famine, Elijah was sent to no widow of the many in Israel, but to a
Sidonian; and Elisha cured no leper of the many in Israel, but Naaman the...
Prayer and Importunity
... The Master went over into thatSidonian country in order that this truth might be
mirrored for all time " there is no plea so efficacious as importunate...
The Great Confession - the Great Commission - the Great...
... Then came that miraculous night-journey, the brief Sabbath-stay at Capernaum by
the way, the journey through Tyrian andSidonian territory, and round to the...
Royal Murderers
... indicates the depth of degradation and corruption to which they and the nation had
sunk, and the terror exercised by their upstart king and hisSidonian wife....
Thesaurus
Sidonian (2 Occurrences)...Sidonian (2 Occurrences). Luke 4:26 and yet to not one of them was Elijah sent:
he was only sent to a widow at Zarephath in the
Sidonian country. (WEY).
...Zarephath (4 Occurrences)
... zar'-e-fath (tsarephath; Sarepta): TheSidonian town in which Elijah was entertained
by a widow after he left the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:9). Obadiah refers...
Sidonia (1 Occurrence)
... Sidonia (1 Occurrence). Luke 4:26 and yet to not one of them was Elijah sent: he
was only sent to a widow at Zarephath in theSidonian country....
Dora
... It was occupied in the earliest times by the Canaanites and probably belonged
to Phoenicia, tradition saying that it was aSidonian colony....
Dor (7 Occurrences)
... It was occupied in the earliest times by the Canaanites and probably belonged
to Phoenicia, tradition saying that it was aSidonian colony....
Merran
... Some of these are theSidonian Meareh (Grotius), Marane, a city of which Pliny speaks
as being near the Red Sea (Keil), and the desert of Mahrah in Arabia...
Mearah (1 Occurrence)
... Perhaps, however, we should find in the word the name of aSidonian city, with
the preposition min, that has suffered change in transcription....
Potter (14 Occurrences)
... land and even before the Phoenicians of the coast cities had extended their trade
inland and brought the earthenware vessels of the Tyrian orSidonian potters....
Pottery (11 Occurrences)
... land and even before the Phoenicians of the coast cities had extended their trade
inland and brought the earthenware vessels of the Tyrian orSidonian potters....
Sirion (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A breastplate, theSidonian name of Hermon (qv), Deuteronomy
3:9; Psalm 29:6. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SIRION....
Resources
Why did Jesus mention Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10:14? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Ahab and Jezebel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of the city of Sidon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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