Difference between revisions of "Zebulun"

<p> <strong> [[Zebulun]] </strong> . According to OT tradition, Zebulun was the tenth son of Jacob, and the sixth of [[Leah]] (&nbsp; [[Genesis]] 30:20 E [Note: Elohist.] ). </p> <p> The original form of the name is uncertain, there being some evidence in favour of <em> Zebulon </em> , and even <em> [[Zebul]] </em> . The meaning of the name is likewise doubtful. &nbsp; Genesis 30:20 presents a double explanation. One of these (apparently E [Note: Elohist.] ’s) connects it with the verb <em> zâbad </em> ‘to endow’; the other (J [Note: Jahwist.] ’s) derives it from <em> zâbal </em> ‘to dwell,’ because Leah said, ‘Now will my husband dwell with me’ (so AV [Note: Authorized Version.] and RV [Note: Revised Version.] following the Vulg. [Note: Vulgate.] <em> habitabit </em> ). The Assyr. [Note: Assyrian.] meaning of <em> zabâlu </em> , however, ‘carry,’ ‘exalt,’ affords a more suitable rendering for this isolated use of the [[Hebrew]] verb, for the remark, ‘Now will my husband <em> dwell </em> with me,’ appears rather gratuitous and pointless after she had borne him six sons. The phrase <em> bçth zebul </em> , &nbsp; 1 Kings 8:13 , moreover, implies a connotation of <em> zbl </em> different from that of ‘dwell,’ for the context immediately defines its purpose as a ‘place for thee to dwell in.’ <em> Zebul </em> is here used of the dwelling of God, elsewhere of the sun and moon, and, therefore, probably designated originally, in harmony with the Assyrian, a lofty abode, a <em> bçth-har </em> , or mountain sanctuary, such as is referred to in &nbsp; Deuteronomy 33:19 as being in the territory of Zebulun and Issachar. If so, the name Zebulun, while etymologically related to <em> zbl </em> , is rather of geographical import in its historic application to the tribe. </p> <p> According to &nbsp;Genesis 46:14 , Zebulun is the progenitor of three tribal families through his three sons Sered, Elon, and Jahleel, who went down into Egypt with the other sons and grandsons of Jacob. The first and last of these names are notably like the town names [[Sarid]] and Nahalal, which were allotted to Zebulun according to &nbsp; Joshua 19:10 f. There is no name corresponding to [[Elon]] in this passage, but the names of seven of the twelve cities spoken of have been lost. </p> <p> At the time of the [[Sinai]] census the male <strong> [[Zebulunites]] </strong> from 20 years old and upwards numbered 57,400, and their lot on the march was cast on the east of the Tabernacle, with Judah and [[Issachar]] (&nbsp; Numbers 1:31 f. P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] ). All of these, as in the case of the men of the other tribes, died before the next census in the plains of Moab, where, nevertheless, the total reached 60,500 (&nbsp; Numbers 26:27; &nbsp; Numbers 26:64 P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] ). </p> <p> The boundary line marked off by lot in &nbsp;Joshua 19:10-24 gives only the southern and eastern borders, and is difficult to follow. Starting on the south with Sarid ( <em> Tell Shadud </em> ?), about five miles S.W. of Nazareth, it reached Jokneam, eight miles due W., on the farther side of the plain of Esdraelon. It extended about the same distance eastwards, reaching, at the west of Mt. Tabor, [[Daberath]] (which, however, in &nbsp; Joshua 21:28 fell to Issachar), and then, if the text and identifications are correct, which is improbable, turned sharply west again to Japhia. [[Thence]] it continued in a north-easterly direction, passing Gath-hepher and Rimmon, and across the plain until it reached Hannathon, known to Babylonians, <em> c </em> <em> [Note: circa, about.] </em> . b.c. 1400, as <em> Hinnatuni </em> , which at that time was held by Amen-hotep. The remaining statement, ‘and the goings out thereof were at the valley of Iphtael,’ would indicate that the line turned at [[Hannathon]] in a south-westerly direction, perhaps towards <em> Jefat </em> . There would thus be no distinctly northern border, but only a north-western. The western is left undefined; but as [[Asher]] is made to reach to Carmel, and its S.E. point to join Zebulun at the valley of Iphtah-el (&nbsp; Joshua 19:26-27 ), there is no room left for the access of Zebulun to the sea. Jacob’s Song, however, uses the same expression (&nbsp; Genesis 49:13 ) as is used of Asher in &nbsp; Judges 5:17 , and apparently extends the border to Sidon. In the ‘Blessing of Moses’ it is said that ‘Zebulun and Issachar shall suck the abundance of the seas’ (&nbsp; Deuteronomy 33:18 ). This, as is clear from the inclusion of Issachar, implies only that their position will be such as to enable them to obtain the mercantile and other advantages of the sea traffic. The delimitations of the tribal boundaries in Joshua are very indefinite, and often in conflict with one another and with other data. Of the five cities mentioned in &nbsp; Deuteronomy 19:15 [[Bethlehem]] is the only one whose site is identified with certainty. The modern <em> Ma‘lul </em> may represent Nahalal, one of the four cities which, according to &nbsp; Joshua 21:34 f. (P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] ), was given by the Zebulunites to the sons of Merarl (Levites). [[Roughly]] speaking, Zebulun lay to the N.E. of Carmel, between Issachar on the S.E. and Asher on the N.W. </p> <p> Zebulun shared in the natural richness and fertility of the rest of Galilee, and the great ‘way of the sea’ (the <em> via maris </em> of the Crusaders) which ran through its territory, and from [[Acco]] to Damascus, brought it into touch with the outer world and its products. </p> <p> In the war against [[Jabin]] 10,000 men of Zebulun and [[Naphtali]] went with [[Barak]] against Sisera, and in the battle, whose issues were of decisive importance to the tribes of Israel, they immortalized themselves by their bravery (&nbsp;Judges 4:10 ). They, like the other tribes, failed, however, to drive out the [[Canaanites]] from some of their city strongholds. One of the minor ‘judges’ came from this tribe, viz. Elon, who headed the tribes in the anarchic and troublous time preceding the kingdom (&nbsp; Judges 12:11 ). In later history, Zebulun, like the other northern tribes, played an unimportant rôle. According to &nbsp; 2 Kings 15:29 , it would appear that the fate of the other tribes of [[Galilee]] overtook this tribe in the days of Pekah, when the [[Assyrian]] king Tiglath-pileser carried them captive to Assyria. See also art. Tribes. </p> <p> James A. Craig. </p>

<p> (See [[Issachar]] .) Tenth of Jacob's sons, sixth and last of Leah's sons (&nbsp;Genesis 30:20; &nbsp;Genesis 35:23; &nbsp;Genesis 46:14). Named from Leah's anticipation, "now will my husband dwell ('izbeleniy ) with me, for I have borne him six sons." Jacob's blessing (&nbsp;Genesis 49:13) was, "Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea, and he shall be for an haven of ships, and his border shall be unto Sidon." Zebulun reached from the sea of [[Gennesareth]] to Mount Carmel, and so nearly to the Mediterranean. Its most westerly point reached to Mount Carmel, which brought it nigh Zidonia, the territory of [[Tyre]] and Sidon. The language of Genesis is such as no forger would from after history put as a prophecy. Though substantially accurate it suggests more of a maritime coast as belonging to Zebulun than after facts would have prompted. Zebulun had no seacoast, yet reached close to the Mediterranean, and actually coasted the sea of Gennesareth; the rich plain now the Buttauf was in its territory. </p> <p> Zebulun was far from [[Sidon]] yet bordering toward it. Zebulun possessed the fisheries of lake [[Tiberias]] or the sea of Gennesareth. So Moses' blessing (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 33:18), "rejoice Zebulun in thy going out," i.e. in mercantile and shipping enterprise; "and Issachar in thy tents"; both tribes should rejoice in their undertakings a broad and at home, in their work and in their rest. "They shall call the peoples to the mountain (of the Lord's inheritance, &nbsp;Exodus 15:17); there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness"; instead of making their abundance into mammon they would consecrate it to the Lord. Typically there is a reference to the conversion of the Gentiles; &nbsp;Isaiah 60:5-6; &nbsp;Isaiah 60:16; &nbsp;Isaiah 66:11-12, "the abundance of the sea shall be converted," etc.; and to Jesus the true Light, ministering most in Galilee, the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, the darkest and most Gentilized part of Palestine. "The way of the sea," the great road from [[Damascus]] to the Mediterranean, traversed a good part of Zebulun (&nbsp;Isaiah 9:1-2; &nbsp;Matthew 4:12; &nbsp;Matthew 4:16). The "treasures hid in the sand" are the riches of the sea in general; possibly too referring to the then precious glass manufactured from the sand of these coasts (Tacitus, Annals v. 7; Pliny, H. N. 5:17; 36:65; Josephus, B. J. 2:10, [[Section]] 2; &nbsp;Job 28:17). The precious purple dye was also extracted from the murex. </p> <p> In the wilderness Zebulun was one of the foremost, marching with Issachar and Judah under the standard of Judah. Distinguished in the contest with Jabin as "jeoparding their lives unto the death in the high places of the field," literally, "despised life even unto death" at the call of fatherland. &nbsp;Judges 5:14-15; &nbsp;Judges 5:18, "out of Zebulun came they that handle the pen of the writer" (See [[Writing]] ); rather "marchers with the staff of the musterer." David at [[Ziklag]] was joined by "50,000 of Zebulun such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, which could keep rank ('closing up together'; compare &nbsp;Philippians 2:2; &nbsp;Matthew 6:24), not of double heart." Such spiritually are the soldiers whom Jesus seeks (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:33). They contributed with Issachar and Naphtali "bread on asses, camels, mules, and oxen; meat, meal, cakes of figs, bunches of raisins, wine, oil, oxen, and sheep abundantly," to entertain David's adherents (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:40; contrast &nbsp;Psalms 12:2). </p> <p> Zebulun had three sons heads of houses (&nbsp;Genesis 46:14; &nbsp;Numbers 26:26). The tribe had four of its cities assigned to Mesarite Levites. Elon the judge (&nbsp;Numbers 12:11-12) was of Zebulun. Some of this tribe accepted Hezekiah's touching invitation to the [[Passover]] after the fall of the northern kingdom (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 30:10-11; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 30:18). In &nbsp;Psalms 68:27, Zebulun's princes represent the N. as Judah's princes represent the S. of [[Israel]] in the procession of the ark to [[Zion]] after Ammon's overthrow (&nbsp;2 Samuel 11:11; &nbsp;2 Samuel 12:26-31). Zebulun shall share in the final restoration (&nbsp;Ezekiel 48:26-27; &nbsp;Ezekiel 48:33; &nbsp;Revelation 7:8). Its strongholds long withstood the Romans in the last [[Jewish]] war. It shared with Issachar in the possession of Tabor. </p>

<p> [[Zebulun]] (''Zĕb'U-Lŭn'' ), ''A Habitation.'' One of the sons of Jacob, and of Leah. &nbsp;Genesis 30:20; &nbsp;Genesis 35:23; &nbsp;Genesis 46:14; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:1. Of the individual Zebulun nothing is recorded. He had three sons, founders of the chief families of the tribe. &nbsp;Genesis 46:1-34, comp. &nbsp;Numbers 26:26. The tribe is not recorded to have taken part in any of the events of the wandering or the conquest. Its territory was remote from the centre of government. The conduct of the tribe during the struggle with Sisera, when they fought with desperate valor, was such as to draw the special praise of Deborah. &nbsp;Judges 5:18. </p>

<p> ZEBULUN, ZABULON </p> <p> A place in Capernaum. (&nbsp;Matthew 4:13) One of Jacob's sons was called by this name, to whom a blessed promise was given. (&nbsp;Genesis 30:20; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 33:18 compared with &nbsp;Genesis 49:13) Perhaps, the root of this name is Zabad, to endow, or finish. </p>

<p> ''''' zeb´ū́ ''''' - ''''' lun ''''' ( זבוּלוּן , <i> ''''' zebhūlūn ''''' </i> , also written זבוּלן , <i> ''''' zebuwlūn ''''' </i> and זבלוּן , <i> ''''' zebūluwn ''''' </i> ; the first form occurs only in &nbsp; Judges 1:30; the other two are frequent, and are used interchangeably; Ζαβουλών , <i> '''''Zaboulṓn''''' </i> ): In &nbsp;Genesis 30:20 Leah exclaims, "God hath endowed me with a good dowry," which suggests a derivation of Zebulun from <i> '''''zābhadh''''' </i> , "to bestow," the ד ( <i> '''''d''''' </i> ) being replaced by ל ( <i> '''''l''''' </i> ). Again she says, "Now will my husband dwell with me (or "honor me"): and she called his name Zebulun"; the derivation being from <i> '''''zābhal''''' </i> , "to exalt" or "honor" ( <i> OHL </i> , under the word). </p> <p> 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 (&nbsp;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 (&nbsp;Genesis 46:14 ). </p> <p> 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 (&nbsp;Numbers 2:7 ). This camp moved foremost on the march (&nbsp;Numbers 2:9 ). At the first census Zebulun numbered 57,400 men of war (&nbsp;Numbers 1:30 ), the prince of the tribe being Eliab, son of [[Helon]] (&nbsp;Numbers 1:9 ). At the second census the men of war numbered 60,500 (&nbsp;Numbers 26:27 ); see, however, [[Numbers]] . Among the spies Zebulun was represented by [[Gaddiel]] son of [[Sodi]] (&nbsp;Numbers 13:10 ). To assist in the division of the land [[Elizaphan]] son of [[Parnach]] was chosen (&nbsp;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 (&nbsp;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 (&nbsp;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 <i> '''''Kefr''''' </i> <i> '''''‛Anān''''' </i> (Hannathon). It turned westward along the base of the mountain, and reached the border of Asher, probably by the vale of <i> '''''‛Abilı̄n''''' </i> . It then proceeded southward to the [[Kishon]] opposite <i> '''''Tell''''' </i> <i> '''''Kaimūn''''' </i> (Jokneam). As the plain belonged to Issachar, the south border would skirt its northern edge, terminating again at Tabor, probably near <i> '''''Debūriyeh''''' </i> (Daberath), which belonged to Issachar (&nbsp;Joshua 21:28 ). </p> <p> 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 with &nbsp;Genesis 49:13 , and also with Josephus ( <i> Ant. </i> , V, i, 22; <i> BJ </i> , 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 in &nbsp;Genesis 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, <i> via maris </i> , passing through his territory. Thus he could "suck the treasures of the sea." See also [[Tabor]] , 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 ( <i> '''''el''''' </i> - <i> '''''Baṭṭauf''''' </i> ). </p> <p> Elon the Zebulunite was the only leader given by the tribe to Israel of whom we have any record (&nbsp;Judges 12:11 f); but the people were brave and skillful in war, furnishing, according to the Song of Deborah, "(them) that handle the marshal's staff" (&nbsp; Judges 5:14 ). The tribe sent 50,000 single-hearted warriors, capable and well equipped, to David at [[Hebron]] (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:33 ). From their rich land they brought stores of provisions (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:40 ). Over Zebulun in David's time was Ishmaiah, son of Obadiah (&nbsp;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 (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 30:10 f, 18 ff). They are not named, but it is probable that Zebulun suffered along with Naphtali in the invasion of Tiglath-pileser (&nbsp; 2 Kings 15:29 ). In later days the men from these breezy uplands lent strength and enterprise to the Jewish armies. [[Jotapata]] ( <i> '''''Tell''''' </i> <i> '''''Jifāt''''' </i> ), the scene of Josephus' heroic defense, was in Zebulun. So was [[Sepphoris]] ( <i> '''''Ṣeffūriyeh''''' </i> ), which was for a time the capital of Galilee ( <i> Ant. </i> , Xviii , ii, 1; <i> BJ </i> , VII; III, ii, 4). Nazareth, the home of our Saviour's boyhood, is sheltered among its lower hills. </p>