Zebulun(zabulon)
“Dwelling or habitation”
Summary
The tenth son of Jacob and sixth by Leah, whose tribe received territory in northern Israel including the region where Jesus later conducted much of his ministry.
☩The Patriarch
Zebulun was the sixth and last son born to Leah, Jacob's first wife. At his birth, Leah exclaimed, 'Now will my husband dwell with me, for I have borne him six sons,' deriving his name from the Hebrew word for 'dwell.' Though Issachar was older, Jacob acknowledged Zebulun's superiority by addressing him first in his blessing. Zebulun had three sons—Sered, Elon, and Jahleel—who became founders of the chief families of the tribe.
☩Jacob's and Moses' Blessings
Jacob prophesied that Zebulun would 'dwell at the haven of the sea' and be 'a haven of ships,' with his border reaching 'unto Sidon.' Moses' blessing declared, 'Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out,' suggesting mercantile and shipping enterprise, and promised that the tribe would 'suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.' Though Zebulun's allotment did not directly touch the Mediterranean, it bordered the Sea of Galilee and reached close to Phoenician territory, enabling participation in trade.
☩Tribal Territory and Character
Zebulun's allotment was among the richest and most beautiful sections of northern Palestine, bounded by Asher and Naphtali on the north, Issachar on the south, stretching from near the Sea of Galilee westward toward the Mediterranean plain. The territory included the fertile plain of Battauf and the wooded hills extending from Tabor through Nazareth. The tribe distinguished itself for military valor, particularly in the battle against Sisera when Deborah praised them for 'jeoparding their lives unto death in the high places of the field.'
☩New Testament Significance
Isaiah's prophecy that 'Galilee of the Gentiles' would see a great light found fulfillment when Jesus, the true Light, ministered extensively in this region. Nazareth, where Jesus grew up, and Capernaum, the center of his Galilean ministry, were both in or near the ancient territory of Zebulun. Matthew specifically notes that Jesus' dwelling in this region fulfilled Isaiah's words concerning Zebulun and Naphtali.
Related Verses52 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Zebulun," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Zebulun," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Zebulun," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).