Zebulun

VIEW:15 DATA:01-04-2020

ZEBULUN.—According to OT tradition, Zebulun was the tenth son of Jacob, and the sixth of Leah (Gen_30:20 E [Note: Elohist.] ).
The original form of the name is uncertain, there being some evidence in favour of Zebulon, and even Zebul. The meaning of the name is likewise doubtful. Gen_30:20 presents a double explanation. One of these (apparently E [Note: Elohist.] ’s) connects it with the verb zâbad ‘to endow’; the other (J [Note: Jahwist.] ’s) derives it from zâbal ‘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.] habitabit). The Assyr. [Note: Assyrian.] meaning of zabâlu, however, ‘carry,’ ‘exalt,’ affords a more suitable rendering for this isolated use of the Hebrew verb, for the remark, ‘Now will my husband dwell with me,’ appears rather gratuitous and pointless after she had borne him six sons. The phrase bçth zebul, 1Ki_8:13, moreover, implies a connotation of zbl different from that of ‘dwell,’ for the context immediately defines its purpose as a ‘place for thee to dwell in.’ Zebul 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 bçth-har, or mountain sanctuary, such as is referred to in Deu_33:19 as being in the territory of Zebulun and Issachar. If so, the name Zebulun, while etymologically related to zbl, is rather of geographical import in its historic application to the tribe.
According to Gen_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 Jos_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.
At the time of the Sinai census the male Zebulunites 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 (Num_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 (Num_26:27; Num_26:64 P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] ).
The boundary line marked off by lot in Jos_19:10-24 gives only the southern and eastern borders, and is difficult to follow. Starting on the south with Sarid (Tell Shadud?), 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 Jos_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, c [Note: circa, about.] . b.c. 1400, as Hinnatuni, 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 Jefat. 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 (Jos_19:26-27), there is no room left for the access of Zebulun to the sea. Jacob’s Song, however, uses the same expression (Gen_49:13) as is used of Asher in Jdg_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’ (Deu_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 Deu_19:15 Bethlehem is the only one whose site is identified with certainty. The modern Ma‘lul may represent Nahalal, one of the four cities which, according to Jos_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.
Zebulun shared in the natural richness and fertility of the rest of Galilee, and the great ‘way of the sea’ (the via maris of the Crusaders) which ran through its territory, and from Acco to Damascus, brought it into touch with the outer world and its products.
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 (Jdg_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 (Jdg_12:11). In later history, Zebulun, like the other northern tribes, played an unimportant rôle. According to 2Ki_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.
James A. Craig.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909

(See ISSACHAR.) Tenth of Jacob's sons, sixth and last of Leah's sons (Gen_30:20; Gen_35:23; Gen_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 (Gen_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.
Zebulun was far from Sidon yet bordering toward it. Zebulun possessed the fisheries of lake Tiberias or the sea of Gennesareth. So Moses' blessing (Deu_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, Exo_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; Isa_60:5-6; Isa_60:16; Isa_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 (Isa_9:1-2; Mat_4:12; Mat_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; Job_28:17). The precious purple dye was also extracted from the murex.
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. Jdg_5:14-15; Jdg_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 Php_2:2; Mat_6:24), not of double heart." Such spiritually are the soldiers whom Jesus seeks (1Ch_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 (1Ch_12:40; contrast Psa_12:2).
Zebulun had three sons heads of houses (Gen_46:14; Num_26:26). The tribe had four of its cities assigned to Mesarite Levites. Elon the judge (Num_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 (2Ch_30:10-11; 2Ch_30:18). In Psa_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 (2Sa_11:11; 2Sa_12:26-31). Zebulun shall share in the final restoration (Eze_48:26-27; Eze_48:33; Rev_7:8). Its strongholds long withstood the Romans in the last Jewish war. It shared with Issachar in the possession of Tabor.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.

Zeb'ulun. (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. Gen_30:20; Gen_35:23; Gen_46:14; 1Ch_2:1. His birth is mentioned in Gen_30:19-20. Of the individual Zebulun, nothing is recorded. The list of Genesis 46 ascribes to him three sons, founders of the chief families of the tribe, (compare Num_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 side, 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. Jdg_5:18.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863

the sixth son of Jacob and Leah, Gen_30:20. He was born in Mesopotamia, about A.M. 2256. His sons were Sered, Elon, and Jahleel, Gen_46:14. Moses acquaints us with no particulars of his life; but Jacob, in his last blessing, said of Zebulun, “Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for a haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon,” Gen_49:13. His portion extended along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, one end of it bordering on this sea, and the other on the sea of Tiberias, Jos_19:10, &c. In the last words of Moses, he joins Zebulun and Issachar together, saying, “Rejoice Zebulun, in thy going out, and Issachar in thy tents. They shall call the people unto the mountain, there shall they offer sacrifices of righteousness. For they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand,”
Deu_33:18; meaning, that these two tribes being at the greatest distance north, should come together to the temple at Jerusalem, to the holy mountain, and should bring with them such of the other tribes as dwelt in their way; and that being situated on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, they should apply themselves to trade and navigation, and to the melting of metals and glass, denoted by those words, “treasures hid in the sand.” The river Belus, whose sand was very fit for making glass, was in this tribe. When the tribe of Zebulun left Egypt, it had for its chief Eliab the son of Elon, and comprehended fifty-seven thousand four hundred men able to bear arms, Num_1:9-30. In another review thirty-nine years afterward, this tribe amounted to sixty thousand five hundred men of age to bear arms, Num_26:26-27. The tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali distinguished themselves in the war of Barak and Deborah against Sisera, the general of the armies of Jabin, Jdg_4:5-6; Jdg_4:10; Jdg_5:14; Jdg_5:18. It is thought these tribes were the first carried into captivity beyond the Euphrates by Pul and Tiglath Pileser, kings of Assyria, 1Ch_5:26. They had also the advantage of hearing and seeing Jesus Christ in their country, oftener and longer than any other of the twelve tribes, Isa_9:1; Mat_4:13; Mat_4:15.
Biblical and Theological Dictionary by Richard Watson
PRINTER 1849.

The tribe of Zebulun was descended from the sixth son of Jacob and Leah (Gen_30:19-20). Jacob’s blessing of this tribe indicated it would inherit part of Canaan’s coastal region, but the territory it actually occupied was a few kilometres inland, in the hill country that rose from the coastal plain. Trade routes that passed through the region brought the tribe prosperity (Gen_49:13; Deu_33:18-19; Jos_19:10-16; for map see TRIBES). On occasions the men of Zebulun, along with those of neighbouring Naphtali, fought heroically for Israel (Jdg_5:18; Jdg_6:35; 1Ch_12:33-34; 1Ch_12:40).
In New Testament times the territory that formerly belonged to Zebulun was part of Galilee and included within it the town of Nazareth. The glory of Zebulun was that from its territory came the Messiah, who brought God’s light into a dark world (Isa_9:1; Mat_4:12-16; see NAZARETH).
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary by Don Fleming
PRINTER 1990.

zeb?ū́-lun (זבוּלוּן, zebhūlūn, also written זבוּלן, zebuwlūn and זבלוּן, zebūluwn; the first form occurs only in Jdg_1:30; the other two are frequent, and are used interchangeably; Ζαβουλών, Zaboulṓn): In Gen_30:20 Leah exclaims, ?God hath endowed me with a good dowry,? which suggests a derivation of Zebulun from zābhadh, ?to bestow,? the ד(d) being replaced by ל(l). Again she says, ?Now will my husband dwell with me (or ?honor me?): and she called his name Zebulun?; the derivation being from zābhal, ?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 (Gen_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 (Gen_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 (Num_2:7). This camp moved foremost on the march (Num_2:9). At the first census Zebulun numbered 57,400 men of war (Num_1:30), the prince of the tribe being Eliab, son of Helon (Num_1:9). At the second census the men of war numbered 60,500 (Num_26:27); see, however, NUMBERS. Among the spies Zebulun was represented by Gaddiel son of Sodi (Num_13:10). To assist in the division of the land Elizaphan son of Parnach was chosen (Num_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 (Deu_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 (Jos_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 Kefr ‛Anān (Hannathon). It turned westward along the base of the mountain, and reached the border of Asher, probably by the vale of ‛Abilı̄n. It then proceeded southward to the Kishon opposite Tell Kaimūn (Jokneam). As the plain belonged to Issachar, the south border would skirt its northern edge, terminating again at Tabor, probably near Debūriyeh (Daberath), which belonged to Issachar (Jos_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 with Gen_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 in Gen_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 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 (el-Baṭṭauf).
Elon the Zebulunite was the only leader given by the tribe to Israel of whom we have any record (Jdg_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? (Jdg_5:14). The tribe sent 50,000 single-hearted warriors, capable and well equipped, to David at Hebron (1Ch_12:33). From their rich land they brought stores of provisions (1Ch_12:40). Over Zebulun in David's time was Ishmaiah, son of Obadiah (1Ch_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 (2Ch_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 (2Ki_15:29). In later days the men from these breezy uplands lent strength and enterprise to the Jewish armies. Jotapata (Tell Jifāt), the scene of Josephus' heroic defense, was in Zebulun. So was Sepphoris (Ṣeffūriyeh), 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.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.

Zeb?ulun (habitation), the sixth and last son of Jacob by Leah (Gen_30:19, seq.; 35:23), who, in the order of birth, followed his brother Issachar, with whom, in history, as in the Promised Land, he was closely connected (Deu_33:18). Zebulun was the founder of the tribe which bore his name (Gen_46:14), and which, while yet in the wilderness, was respectable for numbers (Num_1:30; Num_26:26). Zebulun obtained its lot in north Palestine between Naphtali on the north and Issachar on the south, while Asher stretched along both it and Naphtali on the west (Jos_19:10, seq.). The country of the Zebulonites bordered towards the east on the south-western side of the Lake of Tiberias, and was connected with the Mediterranean by means of Carmel (Gen_49:13). Its inhabitants in consequence took part in seafaring concerns. They failed to expel all the native race, but made those of them that remained tributaries (Jdg_1:30). One of the judges of Israel, Elon, was a Zebulonite (Jdg_12:11). A city lying on the borders of Asher also bore the name of Zebulun (Jos_19:27).




The Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
by John Kitto.


(Hee. Zebulun', once [Jdg_1:30] fully זְבוּלוּן, usually זְבוּלן or [Gen_30:20; Gen_35:23; Gen_46:14; Jdg_4:6; Jdg_5:18; Jdg_6:35; 1Ch_2:1; 1Ch_6:63; 1Ch_6:77; 1Ch_12:33; 1Ch_12:40; 2Ch_30:10-11; 2Ch_30:18; Psa_68:27; Isa_9:1] זְבלוּן, habitation; Sept., New Test., and Josephus, Ζαβουλών; Vulg. Zabulon; A.V. “Zabulon,” Mat_4:13; Mat_4:15; Rev_7:8), the name of a man and of the tribe descended from him, and also of a city in Palestine.
1. The sixth and last son of Leah, and the tenth born to Jacob (Gen_35:23; Gen_46:14; 1Ch_2:1). His birth is recorded in Gen_30:19-20, where the origin of the name is, as usual, ascribed to an exclamation of his mother— “Now will my husband dwell with me (yizbeleni), for I have borne him six sons!” and she called his name Zebulun.” B.C. 1914. This paronomasia is not preserved in the original of the “Blessing of Jacob,” though the language of the A.V. implies it. The word rendered “dwell” in Gen_49:13 is יַשְׁכֹּן, with no relation to the name Zebulun. The Sept. puts a different point on the exclamation of Leah: “My husband will choose me” (αἱρετιεῖ με). This, however, hardly implies any difference in the original text. Josephus (Ant. 1, 19, 8) gives only a general explanation: “a pledge of goodwill towards her.” In the order of birth, Zebulun followed his brother Issachar, with whom, in the history of the tribes and in their allotted territories in Canaan, he was closely connected (Deu_33:18). His personal history does not appear to have contained a single incident worthy of record; and his name is not once mentioned except in the genealogical lists. In the Jewish traditions he is named as the first of the five who were presented by Joseph to Pharaoh- Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher being the others (Targ. Pseudo-Jon. On Genesis 47, 2).
At the time of the descent of Jacob into Egypt, Zebulun had three sons — Sered, Elon, and Jahleel (Gen_46:14) — who became the founders of the three great families into which the tribe was divided (Num_26:26). Though the first generation was so small, this tribe ranked fourth in numbers among the twelve, when the census was taken at Mount Sinai, in the year of the Exode; Judah, Dan, and Simeon being more numerous. During the wilderness journey it increased from 57,400 males to 60,500; but it held just the same relative place among the twelve — Judah, Dan, and Issachar being before it when the census was made on the plains of Moab (Num_26:27).
History is almost as silent regarding the acts of the tribe during the long period of Egyptian bondage and the desert march as it is regarding the patriarch Zebulun himself. During the journey from Egypt to Palestine, the tribe of Zebulun formed one of the first camp, with Judah and Issachar (also sons of Leah), marching under the standard of Judah. The head of the tribe at Sinai was Eliab son of Helon (Num_7:24); at Shiloh, Elizaphan son of Parnach (Num_34:25). Its representative among the spies was Gaddiel son of Sodi (Num_13:10). The only point worthy of note previous to its settlement in Palestine is the fact that, on the solemn proclamation of the law, Zebulun was among the six tribes stationed on Mount Ebal to pronounce the curses (Deu_27:13).
The position and physical character of Zebulun's destined territory in the Land of Promise had been sketched in' the prophetic blessings of Jacob and Moses. Looking down into a far-distant age, Jacob exclaimed, as his son stood by his bedside, “Zebulun shall dwell on the shore (חוֹ, choph, a cove, the modern Haifa) of seas; and he shall be for a shore of ships; and his side will be to Zidon” (Gen_49:13). Though Issachar was an elder brother, Jacob seems to have already noticed and acknowledged the political superiority of Zebulun by placing him first in order. This superiority was afterwards more fully displayed in the blessing of Moses, which, though embracing both tribes, appears as if addressed to Zebulun alone— “And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents. They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness; for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand” (Deu_33:18-19).
Zebulun's territory was one of the richest and most beautiful sections of Western Palestine. Its allotment was the third of the second distribution (Jos_19:10). Joshua defines its borders with his usual minuteness, though, in consequence of the disappearance of many old cities, it cannot now be entirely identified. Its position, however, and general extent, are clear enough. Asher and Naphtali bounded it on the north, and Issachar on the south. It stretched nearly across the country from the Sea of Galilee on the east, to the maritime plain of Phoenicia on the west; embracing a strip of Esdraelon, a little of the plain of Akka, the whole of the rich upland plain of Battauf (equal in fertility, and almost equal in extent, to that of Jezreel, and with the immense advantage of not being, as that was, the highroad of the Bedawin); with a part of the fertile tableland between it and the great basin of the Sea of Galilee; and, last, not least, it included sites so strongly fortified by nature that in the later struggles of the nation they proved more impregnable than any in the whole country. The sacred vicinity of Tabor, Zebulun appears to have shared with Issachar (Deu_33:19), and it and Rimmon were allotted to the Merarite Levites (1Ch_6:77). The beautiful wooded hills and ridges extending from Tabor, by Nazareth and Sefuriyeh, to the plain of Akka, were also in Zebulun.
It touched Carmel on the south-west; and though it did not actually reach to the shore of the Mediterranean, its sides joined the narrow maritime territory of Phoenicia, to which Jacob, according to common Eastern custom, gives the name of its chief city, Zidon— “And his side (יָרֵךְ, thigh, i.e. flank) will be to Zidon.” Its opposite extremity resting on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, the words of Jacob were fulfilled: “Zebulun shall dwell on the coast of seas.” His fishermen on the Sea of Galilee, and his merchants navigating the Mediterranean, in company with their Phoenician neighbors, illustrate remarkably the other blessings: “He shall be for a shore of ships;” “he shall rejoice in his goings out.” Possessing thus a rich agricultural country, abundance of wood, and an outlet for commercial enterprise, both in the Mediterranean and in the Sea of Galilee, the future state and history of Zebulun were influenced and molded by external circumstances. The four Northern tribes Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, and Naphtali were in a great measure isolated from their brethren. The plain of Esdraelon, almost unceasingly swept by the incursions of hostile nations, separated them from Ephraim and Judah; while the deep Jordan valley formed a barrier on the east. Isolation from their brethren, and their peculiar position, threw them into' closer intercourse with their Gentile neighbors — the old mountaineers whom they were never able entirely to expel (Jdg_1:30), and especially the commercial Phoenicians. Their national exclusiveness was thus considerably modified; their manners and customs were changed; their language gradually assumed a foreign tone and accent (Mat_26:73); and even their religion lost much of its original purity (2Ch_30:10; 2Ch_30:18). “Galilee of the Gentiles” and its degenerate inhabitants came at length to be regarded with distrust and scorn by the haughty people of Judah (Isa_9:1; Mat_4:15; Mat_26:73).
The four Northern tribes formed, as it were, a state by themselves (Stanley, Jewish Church, 1, 266); and among them Zebulun became distinguished for warlike spirit and devotion. ‘In the great campaign and victory of Barak it bore a prominent part (Jdg_4:6; Jdg_4:10). Deborah, in her triumphal ode, says, “Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field” (Jdg_5:18). It would appear, besides, that their commercial enterprise led them to a closer and fuller study of the arts and sciences than their brethren. “They thus at an early period acquired the reputation of literary accomplishment; and the poet sang of them.” From Zebulun are the men who handle the pen of the scribe “ (Jdg_5:14; Kalisch, On Genesis, p. 753). One of these scribes may have been Elon, the single judge produced by the tribe, who is recorded as having held office for ten years (Jdg_12:11-12). This combination of warlike spirit with scientific skill seems to be referred to once again in a more extended field of action. The sacred historian mentions that in David's army there were, “Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank; not of double heart” (1Ch_12:33). They were generous, also, and liberal, as well as brave and loyal; for they contributed abundantly of the rich products of their country-meal, figs, raisins, wine, oil, oxen, and sheep to the wants of the army (1Ch_12:40). The head of the tribe at this time was Ishmaiah ben-Obadiah (1Ch_27:19). The “way of the sea” (Isa_9:1), the great road from Damascus to the Mediterranean, traversed a good portion of the territory of Zebulun, and must have brought its people into contact with the merchants and the commodities of Syria, Phoenicia, and Egypt. Its inhabitants, in consequence took part in seafaring concerns (Josephus, Ant. 5, 1, 22). In the Testament of Zabulon (Fabricius, Pseudepir, V.T. 1, 630-645) great stress is laid on his skill in fishing, and he is commemorated as the first to navigate a skiff on the sea. It is satisfactory to reflect that the very latest mention of the Zebulunites is the account of the visit of a large number of them to Jerusalem to the Passover of Hezekiah, when, by the enlightened liberality of the king; they were enabled to eat the feast, even though, through long neglect of the provisions of the law, they were not cleansed in the manner prescribed by the ceremonial law (2Ch_30:10-11; 2Ch_30:18).
The tribe of Zebulun, though not mentioned, appears to have shared the fate of the other Northern tribes at the invasion of the country by Tiglath- pileser (2Ki_17:18; 2Ki_17:24 sq.). From this time the history of distinct tribes ceases. With the exception of the Levites, the whole were amalgamated into one nation; and, on the return from exile, were called Jews. The land of Zebulun, however, occupied a distinguished place in New Test. times. It formed the chief scene of our Lord's life and labors. Nazareth and Cana were in it; and it embraced a section of the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where so many of the miracles of Christ were performed, and so many of his discourses and parables spoken. Then was fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “The land Zabulon, and the land Nephthalim, the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up” (9, 1, 2; Mat_4:15-16). In the visions of Ezekiel (Eze_48:26-33) and of John (Rev_7:8) this tribe finds its due mention. See ISRAEL, KINGDOM OF. The following is a list of all the Biblical local cities in this tribe, with their probable identifications:

Bethlehem
Town
Beit-Lahm
Cana
Do
Kanah el-Jelil?
Dabbasheth
Do
Jebata.
Dimnah
Do
See RIMMON.
Gath-hepher, or Gittah- hepher
Do
El-Meshad.
Hannathon
Do
[El-Mugheir]?
Idalah
Do
Jeda?
Japhia
Do
Yafa
Kartah, or Kattah
Do
El-Harti?
Kirjathaim
Do
See KARTAH.
Kitron
Do
See KARTAH.
Madon
Do
Kefr Menda?
Nahalal, Nahallal, or Nahalol
Do
Malul?
Neah
Town
[Nimrin]?
Rimmon (Remmon- methoar)
Do
Rumaneh
Rumah
Do
Tell Rumah?
Sarid
Do
[Ruins. N.W. of el- Mezraah]?
Shimron
Do
Semunieh?

2. A place on the eastern border of the tribe of Asher, between Beth-dagon and the valley of Jiphthah-el (Jos_19:27); perhaps the modern Abilin, a village “perched upon a high and sharp hill, on the south side of the wady of the same name” (Robinson, Later Res. p. 103). In this passage the word has usually been regarded as referring to the tribe by that name, as if Asher's boundary at this point coincided with that of Zebulun, whereas they were identical along the whole line named. SEE TRIBE.



CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.

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