Zibeon
צִבְעוֹן/ZIB-ee-on/
“Hyena or colored”
Summary
A Horite chief whose granddaughter Oholibamah became one of Esau's wives.
☩Identity
Zibeon was a Horite, one of the original inhabitants of the land of Seir (Edom) before the Edomites displaced them. He was the father of Anah, whose daughter Oholibamah married Esau. He is counted among the 'dukes' or chiefs of the Horites.
Key verses:Genesis 36:2Genesis 36:20Genesis 36:29
☩The Discovery of Anah
Scripture records that Anah, Zibeon's son, 'found the mules in the wilderness as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.' The exact meaning of this discovery is debated—some interpreters suggest he discovered hot springs, others that he first bred mules by crossing horses and donkeys.
Key verses:Genesis 36:24
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Zibeon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Zibeon," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).