Encyclopedia entry
Zebulun, Tribe of
Numbered at Sinai (Num. 1:31) and before entering Canaan (26:27). It was one of the tribes which did not drive out the Canaanites, but only made them tributary (Judg. 1:30). It took little interest in public affairs. It responded, however, readily to the summons of Gideon (6:35), and afterwards assisted in enthroning David at Hebron (1 Chr. 12:33, 40). Along with the other northern tribes, Zebulun was carried away into the land of Assyria by Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings 15:29).
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In Deborah’s song the words, “Out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer” (Judg. 5:14) has been rendered in the R.V., “They that handle the marshal’s staff.” This is a questionable rendering. “The word sopher (‘scribe’ or ’writer’) defines the word shebhet (‘rod’ or ‘pen’) with which it is conjoined. The ‘rod of the scribe’ on the Assyrian monuments was the stylus of wood or metal, with the help of which the clay tablet was engraved, or the papyrus inscribed with characters. The scribe who wielded it was the associate and assistant of the ‘lawgivers.’” (Sayce).
In the Bible
12
Verses where Zebulun, Tribe of is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 6:63
The Merarites, according to their clans, were allotted twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
- 1 Chronicles 6:77
The Merarites (the rest of the Levites) received the following: From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Rimmono and Tabor, together with their pasturelands.
- Joshua 19:10
The third lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Zebulun: The border of their inheritance stretched as far as Sarid.
- Joshua 19:16
This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Zebulun, including these cities and their villages.
- Joshua 21:7
And the descendants of Merari received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
- Joshua 21:34
This is what the Merarite clan (the rest of the Levites) were given: From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Jokneam, Kartah,
+6 more verses naming Zebulun, Tribe of.
Scripture on Zebulun, Tribe of
13
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.