Lexical Summary Sidón: Sidon Original Word: Σιδών Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Sidon. Of Hebrew origin (Tsiydown); Sidon (i.e. Tsidon), a place in Palestine -- Sidon. see HEBREW Tsiydown NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Tsidon Definition Sidon, a maritime city of Phoenicia NASB Translation Sidon (9). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4605: ΣιδώνΣιδών, Σιδῶνος (Buttmann, 16 (14)), ἡ (צִידון and צִידֹן, from צוּד, 'to hunt', in Aramaic also 'to fish'; hence, properly, taking its name from its abundance of fish; cf. Justin 18, 3), Sidon, a very ancient Phoenician city, formerly distinguished for wealth and traffic, situated near the Mediterranean on the borders of Judaea; it had been assigned to the tribe of Asher (Joshua 19:28), but the Jews vainly endeavored to capture it (Judges 1:31; Judges 3:3; Judges 10:12); now Saida, containing about 10,000 (or 9,000, according to Porter in Murray's Handbook, p. 376) inhabitants (Baedeker, Palestine, p. 433): Matthew 11:21; Matthew 15:21; Mark 3:8; Mark 7:24 (where T omits; WH Tr marginal reading brackets the words καί Σιδῶνος), Topical Lexicon Geography and Historical Context Sidon stood on the Mediterranean coast about twenty-five miles north of Tyre, occupying a strategic harbor that made it a center of Phoenician maritime trade, glass-making, and purple dye. The prophets frequently paired Sidon with Tyre, yet the two cities retained distinct identities. By New Testament times Sidon was under Roman administration and possessed a sizable Gentile population but also a Jewish community and synagogue (Josephus, Antiquities 17.4.2). Its prosperity and religious pluralism form the backdrop for every Gospel and Acts reference. Sidon in the Hebrew Scriptures Sidon enters biblical history as the firstborn of Canaan (Genesis 10:15). Its commerce was accompanied by idolatry, so Israel repeatedly fell into “the gods of Sidon” (Judges 10:6). Sidonian influence deepened when Ahab married Jezebel, daughter of the Sidonian king (1 Kings 16:31), importing Baal worship into the northern kingdom. Yet the Lord’s sovereignty is displayed even over this pagan city: “I will send a plague into Sidon, and bloodshed in her streets” (Ezekiel 28:23), and again, “She will be struck with a sword before Me” (Zechariah 9:4). These oracles foreshadow the Gospel’s later call to repentance. Sidon in the Gospels 1 Mark 3:8 and Luke 6:17 record crowds travelling from Sidon to hear Jesus and be healed: “A great number of people from… the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon… came to Him” (Mark 3:8). The eagerness of these Gentiles contrasts with the skepticism of many in Galilee. 2 Matthew 15:21 and Mark 7:24-31 describe Jesus’ withdrawal “to the district of Tyre and Sidon.” There He met the Syrophoenician/Canaanite woman whose faith won deliverance for her daughter. The episode prefigures the inclusion of the nations, demonstrating that Messiah’s mercy extends beyond Israel. 3 Matthew 11:21-22 and Luke 10:13-14 employ Sidon in prophetic denunciation: “If the miracles performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago… But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.” The Lord’s words affirm both the authenticity of His wonders and the accountability of those who witness them. Lessons on Repentance and Judgment Sidon functions as a theological measuring rod. Pagan though it was, Jesus declared it would have repented had it received the same revelation granted to Chorazin and Bethsaida. Divine judgment is, therefore, proportionate to light received. This principle guards against complacency in any culture heavily exposed to Scripture. Sidon and the Expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles The Gospel narratives show Sidonians seeking Jesus before the cross; Acts shows Sidon serving Gospel progress after the resurrection. In Acts 27:3 Paul’s ship pauses at the port: “Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to visit his friends.” That Sidon already possessed “friends” (philoi)—believers able to supply Paul’s needs—reveals an established church within a generation of Pentecost. The seed sown by Christ’s earlier ministry had borne fruit. Sidon in Apostolic Ministry Paul’s fleeting visit demonstrates at least three realities: Practical and Pastoral Applications 1. Responsiveness to Revelation—Sidon’s hypothetical repentance warns today’s congregations not to squander the privilege of Gospel clarity. Summary Sidon’s biblical portrait moves from idolatrous stronghold to receptive mission field. Its ten New Testament mentions trace a trajectory: Gentiles attracted to Jesus, chastening comparisons that highlight Israel’s accountability, a powerful affirmation of inclusive grace through the Syrophoenician woman, and finally an established church assisting the apostle to the Gentiles. Sidon thus stands as both warning and encouragement—warning against unbelief in the face of revelation, encouragement that the Gospel can flourish in the most unlikely soil. Forms and Transliterations Σιδωνα Σιδῶνα Σιδωνι Σιδῶνι Σιδωνος Σιδῶνος Sidona Sidôna Sidōna Sidō̂na Sidoni Sidôni Sidōni Sidō̂ni Sidonos Sidônos Sidōnos Sidō̂nosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 11:21 N-DFSGRK: Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι ἐγένοντο αἱ NAS: in Tyre and Sidon which occurred KJV: and Sidon, they would have repented INT: Tyre and Sidon had taken place the Matthew 11:22 N-DFS Matthew 15:21 N-GFS Mark 3:8 N-AFS Mark 7:24 N-GFS Mark 7:31 N-GFS Luke 6:17 N-GFS Luke 10:13 N-DFS Luke 10:14 N-DFS Acts 27:3 N-AFS Strong's Greek 4605 |
    |