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ZEBULUN

(Heb. zĕḇûlûn; Gk. Zaboulṓn)

Jacob’s tenth son and Leah’s sixth and last (Gen. 30:19-20); the eponymous ancestor of the tribe inhabiting territory in the Galilee region. The name is related by folk etymology at Gen. 30:20 to Heb. zbl, “to exalt, honor,” also a play on the related root zbd, “give” or “gift.” Moreover, the meaning “to exalt” may have topographical significance, since the tribal allotment of Zebulun includes the mountainous (exalted, raised up) region north of Jezreel.

The tribal territory of Zebulun shared borders with Asher to the west, Naphtali to the east, Manasseh to the southwest, and Issachar to the southeast. Although this territory may have included part of the plain of Jezreel or the plain of Acco, it was mainly confined to the mountain rim N of Jezreel. Thus Zebulun was situated in a richly forested region, landlocked and removed from the main centers of Canaanite settlement. References to Zebulun living by the sea (Gen. 49:13) and feasting on the abundance of the seas (Deut. 33:19) suggest that the tribe did extend at some time to the Mediterranean (Josephus Ant. 5.1.22).

Although Zebulun is listed among those tribes that failed to drive out the Canaanites from their territory (Judg. 1:30), other reports suggest that they were loyal members of the Israelite tribal league. The Song of Deborah praises the Zebulunites for their exceptional courage in defeating Sisera’s forces (Judg. 4:6, 10; 5:14, 18). Gideon summons Zebulunites to accompany him in his victory against the Midianites and Amalekites (Judg. 6:35). The Zebulunite Elon led Israel for 10 years as judge (Judg. 12:11-12). Furthermore, the tribe of Zebulun provides David with a large contingent of troops (1 Chr. 12:33), and Zebulunites participate in Hezekiah’s Passover (2 Chr. 30:11). Finally, the prophet Jonah came from Gath-hepher, a city located within Zebulun (2 Kgs. 14:25).

The tribes of Zebulun and Issachar are closely connected in several passages, including Moses’ blessing (Deut. 33:18; cf. Judg. 5:14; Ezek. 48:26, 33), reflecting their proximity in birth and in location (Gen. 30:17-20; Josh. 19:10-23). Similarly, Zebulun is paired with Naphtali (Judg. 4:6; 5:18; 6:35; Ps. 68:27[MT 28]). Noteworthy is Isaiah’s prophecy of Zebulun’s glorious future (Isa. 9:1-2[8:23–9:1]), which Matt. 4:13-16 connects with Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee region.

Bibliography. Z. Kallai, Historical Geography of the Bible: The Tribal Territories of Israel (Leiden, 1986).

Jeffrey C. Geoghegan/Daniel L. Hawk

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ZEBULUN

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)