Zebulun

ZEB'ULUN (habitation), Gen 30:20; Rev 7:8, the sixth son of Jacob and Leah, Gen 49:13, and the father of three sons who became the heads of large families.

ZEB'ULUN (a habitation), the territory possessed by the tribe of Israel descended from the sixth and last son of Leah and the tenth-born of Jacob, Gen 30:20; Gen 35:23, lay in the North of Canaan and between those of Issachar, Asher, and Naphtali. At the census of the wilderness Zebulun numbered 57,400. Num 1:30-31. In the encampment their position was to the east of the tabernacle. Num 2:7-8, and on the march they followed third under the standard of Judah. Num 10:14-16. At the second census their number was 60,500. Num 26:26. Zebulun was one of the six tribes stationed on Ebal to pronounce the curses. Deut 27:13. They joined Barak and Deborah against the army of Jabin. Jud 5:18. Situation and Extent. - In the prophetic blessing upon Zebulun. Jacob declared that "his border should be unto Zidon." Gen 49:3. The boundaries of the tribe are given in Josh 19:10-16, but many of those landmarks cannot be traced, and hence the exact limits of Zebulun are hard to determine. Asher lay to the west and north-west. Naphtali to the north-east, the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan on the east, and Issachar on the south. Some writers suppose that Zebulun did not touch the Sea of Galilee at any point, but others are of the opposite opinion, and suppose the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali to have met on the Sea of Galilee, not far from Capernaum. Matt 4:13, Ex 17:16. The territory included the great plain of Esdraelon and Mount Carmel and the plain of Acre, thus bringing it into immediate connection with the trade of Phoenicia and fulfilling the prophecy of Jacob. Gen 49:13. The territory was rich and fertile. It belonged to the hill-country, but the hills are lower and the strips of plain more productive than in the district of Naphtali, to the north. The plains and ridges toward the north melt away into the great plain. History. - Zebulun was one of the four northern tribes which bore little part in the great events of Jewish history, being comparatively isolated from Israel, and at the same time thrown into more intimate association with the adjoining heathen nations, especially with the Phoenicians. They did not drive out the natives. Jud 1:30. However. Zebulun bore a prominent part in the great victory celebrated by Deborah and Barak. Jud 5:14, 1 Sam 30:18; assisted Gideon, Jud 6:35. and David. 1 Chr 12:33, 1 Chr 12:40. This tribe became involved in gross idolatry, and some mocked the messengers of Hezekiah, although others united in the penitential services. 2 Chr 30:10-18. The territory of this tribe was depopulated in the captivity of Israel under Tiglath-pileser, 2 Kgs 15:20. and after that had no distinct tribal history. The tribe produced Elon, one of the judges, Jud 12:12, and also Jonah. 2 Kgs 14:25. In N.T. times the territory once occupied by Zebulun was a part of Galilee and honored by the presence and works of Jesus. Within its limits were Nazareth, Capernaum, Cana, and Tiberias. The great prophecy of Isaiah, Isa 9:1-2. was fulfilled by Jesus. Matt 4:13-16. The tribe is mentioned in Rev 7:8.

ZEB'ULUN (habitation), a place named in tracing the southern boundary of Asher. Josh 19:27; according to Josephus, "city of men." Perhaps the modern Sha'ab.