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Sidon

Sidon, also called Great Sidon, was a prominent Phoenician city known for its trade and culture, and was the hometown of Jezebel, wife of King Ahab (1Ki. 16:31). It is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, including the Old Testament (Gen. 10:19; Josh. 11:8; Judg. 10:6; Isa. 23:2-4; Jer. 27:3; Ezek. 28:21-22) and the New Testament (Matt. 11:21-22; Luke 4:26; Act.27.3).

Also known as Zidon · Great Sidon · Sidon the Great,Great Sidon · Greater Sidon · great Zidon · Sidonian · Zidonian

Sidon was an ancient Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast. First mentioned in Genesis as a border marker of Canaan (Genesis 10:19), it was named among the territories that Israel failed to conquer (Judges 1:31).

The city was known for its maritime expertise. Sidonians were skilled sailors and craftsmen, particularly noted for their lumber trade. They supplied cedar for both Solomon's temple and the post-exile reconstruction (1Ki.5.6; Ezra 3:7). Ezekiel described Sidon's mariners as skilled oarsmen (Ezk.27.8).

Sidon frequently appears in connection with idolatry. The city's deities, particularly Ashtoreth, influenced Israelite worship during periods of apostasy (Judges 10:6). Solomon's Sidonian wives led him into idol worship (1Ki.11.1,5), and Jezebel, a Sidonian princess, promoted Baal worship in Israel (1Ki.16.31).

Several prophets pronounced judgment against Sidon. Isaiah depicted it as a mourning merchant city (Isaiah 23:2,4,12). Jeremiah included it among nations to drink God's cup of wrath (Jeremiah 25:22). Ezekiel prophesied against it, declaring God would be glorified through its judgment (Ezk.28.21-22).

In the New Testament, Jesus mentioned Sidon in comparing it favorably to unrepentant Jewish cities (Matthew 11:21-22). He visited the region of Tyre and Sidon (Mrk.7.24,31), and people from these areas came to hear him (Luke 6:17). The apostle Paul visited Sidon during his journey to Rome (Act.27.3).

The city maintained commercial relations with Herod's territories, as evidenced by the reference to Tyre and Sidon's dependence on Herod's country for food (Act.12.20).

Probably corresponds to modern Saida in Lebanon, which has maintained continuous habitation since ancient times.

Approximate location: 33.563, 35.366 · view on a map · on the Bible atlas

Where Sidon appears

47 verses in 18 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H6721

Genesis2
Deuteronomy1
Joshua4
Judges6
2 Samuel1
1 Kings6
2 Kings1
1 Chronicles1
Ezra1
Isaiah3
Jeremiah3
Ezekiel4
Joel1
Zechariah1
Matthew3
Mark3
Luke4
Acts2

Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.