2074. Zebulun
Lexical Summary
Zebulun: Zebulun

Original Word: זְבוּלוּן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Zbuwluwn
Pronunciation: zev-oo-LOON
Phonetic Spelling: (zeb-oo-loon')
KJV: Zebulun
NASB: Zebulun
Word Origin: [from H2082 (זָבַל - dwell)]

1. habitation
2. Zebulon, a son of Jacob
3. also his territory and tribe

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Zebulun

Or Zbuluwn {zeb-oo-loon'}; or Zbuwlun {zeb-oo-loon'}; from zabal; habitation; Zebulon, a son of Jacob; also his territory and tribe -- Zebulun.

see HEBREW zabal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from zabal
Definition
a son of Jacob, also his desc. and their territory
NASB Translation
Zebulun (45).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
זְבוּלֻן, זְלֻבוּן proper name, masculine Zebulun (on explanation of name given in E and J compare זבד, זבל); — זְבוּלֻן Genesis 49:13 25t.; זְבֻלוּן Judges 5:18 17t.; זְבוּלוּן Judges 1:30; —

1 sixth son of Jacob and Leah Genesis 30:20; Genesis 35:23; Genesis 46:14; Genesis 49:13; Exodus 1:3; 1 Chronicles 2:1.

2 the tribe of Zebulun Numbers 1:9; Deuteronomy 27:13; Deuteronomy 33:18 (twice in verse); Judges 1:30; Judges 4:10; Judges 5:14,18; Ezekiel 48:26; 1 Chronicles 12:34; 1 Chronicles 12:41; 1 Chronicles 27:19; 2Chronicles 30:11,18; compare ׳שָׂרֵי ז Psalm 68:28; ׳שַׁעַר ז Ezekiel 48:33; ׳בְּנֵי ז Numbers 1:30; Numbers 2:7; Numbers 7:24; Numbers 26:26; Joshua 19:10,16; Judges 4:6; ׳מַטֵּה ז Numbers 1:31; Numbers 2:7; Numbers 13:10; ׳מַטֵּה בְּנֵי ז Numbers 10:16; Numbers 34:25.

3 territory of the tribe ׳אֶרֶץ ז Judges 12:12, ׳אַרְצָה ז Isaiah 8:23, ׳גְּבוּל ז Ezekiel 48:27; also ׳ז alone Joshua 19:27,34; 2Chronicles 30:10, ׳מַטֵּה ז Joshua 21:7,34; 1 Chronicles 6:48; 1 Chronicles 6:62.

Topical Lexicon
Personal Identity and Genealogy

Zebulun is the sixth son born to Leah and the tenth of Jacob’s twelve sons (Genesis 30:19-20). His name is connected with the idea of “honor” or “dwelling,” echoing Leah’s hope that Jacob would now “dwell” with her. Zebulun’s three recorded sons—Sered, Elon, and Jahleel—become clan-heads within the later tribe (Genesis 46:14; Numbers 26:26).

Patriarchal Blessings

Jacob’s dying words picture Zebulun as a seafaring, commerce-minded people: “Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a haven for ships; his border will extend toward Sidon” (Genesis 49:13). Moses expands this, pairing the tribe with Issachar: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys…they will feast on the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand” (Deuteronomy 33:18-19). Both blessings anticipate mercantile activity, coastal influence, and material abundance.

Tribal Formation and Census Data

At Sinai the tribe mustered 57,400 fighting men, making it one of Israel’s larger contingents (Numbers 1:30-31). The second census near the Jordan records 60,500 (Numbers 26:27), indicating growth during the wilderness years. Eliab son of Helon served as the first tribal leader (Numbers 1:9).

Territorial Allotment in Canaan

Joshua’s lot places Zebulun west of the Sea of Galilee and north of Manasseh (Joshua 19:10-16). Though landlocked, its territory reached the Phoenician trade routes, explaining the patriarchal “seashore” motif. Cities such as Bethlehem of Galilee, Nahalal, and Shimron lie within its inheritance. Levitical towns Jokneam, Kartah, Dimnah, and Nahalal were ceded to the Merarites (Joshua 21:34).

Military Contributions in the Judges Era

Zebulun responds swiftly when Barak and Deborah summon troops against Sisera. “From Zebulun came those who wield the spear” (Judges 5:14). Their warriors are further praised: “Zebulun was a people who risked their lives to death” (Judges 5:18). The tribe again joins Gideon’s call (Judges 6:35) and supplies Elon, a Judge of Israel (Judges 12:11-12).

United Monarchy and Kingdom Service

During Saul’s decline, 50,000 well-trained men of Zebulun, “experienced in all kinds of battle weapons,” rally to David at Hebron (1 Chronicles 12:33). They bring food in abundance as part of the national celebration (1 Chronicles 12:40). Under Solomon, Ahimaaz son of Zadok serves as district governor in Naphtali, a region including Zebulunite towns (1 Kings 4:15).

Covenant Renewal and Religious Reform

Despite falling into idolatry after Jeroboam’s schism, individuals from Zebulun humble themselves during Hezekiah’s invitation to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 30:10-11, 18). Later reforms under Josiah see altars dismantled “from Manasseh to Zebulun” (2 Chronicles 34:6-7), signaling revivalist penetration into the northern districts.

Prophetic References

Isaiah foresees judgment and hope: “In the former time He humbled the land of Zebulun… but in the latter time He will honor the way of the sea” (Isaiah 9:1). This prophecy becomes foundational for Gospel geography. Ezekiel’s millennial vision allots Zebulun a strip of land south of Issachar (Ezekiel 48:26) and names a northern gate after the tribe (Ezekiel 48:33).

New Testament Echoes

Matthew identifies Jesus’ move to Capernaum as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s word concerning “the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali” (Matthew 4:13-16). Thus, Zebulun’s territory hosts early Galilean ministry, underscoring divine intentionality in salvation history.

Theological Themes

1. Covenant Faithfulness: Zebulun’s repeated willingness to answer calls to battle and worship displays loyalty to the covenant.
2. Missional Geography: Situated between inland Israel and the Phoenician coast, the tribe serves as a bridge for trade and, prophetically, for the light of Messiah to reach the nations (Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:15-16).
3. Blessing and Provision: From Jacob to Moses, promises of maritime commerce and “treasures of the sand” speak of God’s material provision and wider influence through Zebulun.

Key Occurrences

Genesis 30:19-20; 49:13

Numbers 1:30-31; 26:27

Deuteronomy 33:18-19

Joshua 19:10-16

Judges 4:6, 10; 5:14, 18; 6:35

1 Chronicles 12:33

2 Chronicles 30:10-11

Isaiah 9:1

Ezekiel 48:26, 33

Matthew 4:13-16

Summary of Character and Legacy

Zebulun stands out as a tribe of courageous fighters, industrious traders, and willing worshipers. Its land becomes the cradle of Galilean revelation, where Jesus begins His public ministry, turning prophetic promise into redemptive reality. The storyline of Zebulun showcases God’s sovereign orchestration of geography, economy, and history to advance His kingdom purposes.

Forms and Transliterations
בִּ֠זְבֻלוּן בִּזְבֻל֜וּן בזבלון וְלִזְבוּלֻ֣ן וּבִזְבֻלוּן֙ וּזְבֻלֽוּן׃ וּזְבֻלוּן֙ וּזְבוּלֻ֖ן וּזְבוּלֻֽן׃ וּמִ֨זְּבוּלֻ֔ן וּמִזְּבֻל֑וּן ובזבלון וזבולן וזבולן׃ וזבלון וזבלון׃ ולזבולן ומזבולן ומזבלון זְ֝בֻל֗וּן זְבֻל֑וּן זְבֻל֗וּן זְבֻלֽוּן׃ זְבֻלוּן֙ זְבוּלֻ֑ן זְבוּלֻ֔ן זְבוּלֻ֕ן זְבוּלֻ֖ן זְבוּלֻ֗ן זְבוּלֻ֤ן זְבוּלֻ֥ן זְבוּלֻֽן׃ זְבוּלֻן֙ זְבוּלֻן֮ זבולן זבולן׃ זבלון זבלון׃ יִשָׂשכָ֨ר יששכר לִזְבוּלֻ֕ן לזבולן מִזְּבֻל֞וּן מזבלון biz·ḇu·lūn bizḇulūn Bizvulun liz·ḇū·lun lizḇūlun lizvuLun miz·zə·ḇu·lūn mizzəḇulūn mizzevuLun ū·ḇiz·ḇu·lūn ū·miz·zə·ḇu·lūn ū·miz·zə·ḇū·lun ū·zə·ḇu·lūn ū·zə·ḇū·lun ūḇizḇulūn ūmizzəḇulūn ūmizzəḇūlun uMizzevuLun uvizvuLun ūzəḇulūn ūzəḇūlun uzevuLun velizvuLun wə·liz·ḇū·lun wəlizḇūlun yi·śā·š·ḵār yiśāšḵār yisoshChar zə·ḇu·lūn zə·ḇū·lun zəḇulūn zəḇūlun zevuLun
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Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 30:20
HEB: אֶת־ שְׁמ֖וֹ זְבֻלֽוּן׃
NAS: sons. So she named him Zebulun.
KJV: and she called his name Zebulun.
INT: named his name Zebulun

Genesis 35:23
HEB: וִֽיהוּדָ֔ה וְיִשָּׂשכָ֖ר וּזְבוּלֻֽן׃
NAS: and Judah and Issachar and Zebulun;
KJV: and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
INT: and Judah and Issachar and Zebulun

Genesis 46:14
HEB: וּבְנֵ֖י זְבוּלֻ֑ן סֶ֥רֶד וְאֵל֖וֹן
NAS: The sons of Zebulun: Sered and Elon
KJV: And the sons of Zebulun; Sered,
INT: the sons of Zebulun Sered and Elon

Genesis 49:13
HEB: זְבוּלֻ֕ן לְח֥וֹף יַמִּ֖ים
NAS: Zebulun will dwell at the seashore;
KJV: Zebulun shall dwell at the haven
INT: Zebulun and he a haven of the sea

Exodus 1:3
HEB: יִשָּׂשכָ֥ר זְבוּלֻ֖ן וּבְנְיָמִֽן׃
NAS: Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin;
KJV: Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,
INT: Issachar Zebulun and Benjamin

Numbers 1:9
HEB: לִזְבוּלֻ֕ן אֱלִיאָ֖ב בֶּן־
NAS: of Zebulun, Eliab the son
KJV: Of Zebulun; Eliab the son
INT: of Zebulun Eliab the son

Numbers 1:30
HEB: לִבְנֵ֣י זְבוּלֻ֔ן תּוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
NAS: Of the sons of Zebulun, their genealogical registration
KJV: Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations,
INT: of the sons of Zebulun their genealogical their families

Numbers 1:31
HEB: פְּקֻדֵיהֶ֖ם לְמַטֵּ֣ה זְבוּלֻ֑ן שִׁבְעָ֧ה וַחֲמִשִּׁ֛ים
NAS: men of the tribe of Zebulun [were] 57,400.
KJV: of them, [even] of the tribe of Zebulun, [were] fifty
INT: were numbered the tribe of Zebulun and seven fifty

Numbers 2:7
HEB: מַטֵּ֖ה זְבוּלֻ֑ן וְנָשִׂיא֙ לִבְנֵ֣י
NAS: [Then] [comes] the tribe of Zebulun, and the leader
KJV: [Then] the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab
INT: the tribe of Zebulun and the leader of the sons

Numbers 2:7
HEB: וְנָשִׂיא֙ לִבְנֵ֣י זְבוּלֻ֔ן אֱלִיאָ֖ב בֶּן־
NAS: of the sons of Zebulun: Eliab
KJV: of the children of Zebulun.
INT: and the leader of the sons of Zebulun Eliab the son

Numbers 7:24
HEB: נָשִׂ֖יא לִבְנֵ֣י זְבוּלֻ֑ן אֱלִיאָ֖ב בֶּן־
NAS: leader of the sons of Zebulun;
KJV: of the children of Zebulun, [did offer]:
INT: leader the son of Zebulun Eliab of the sons

Numbers 10:16
HEB: מַטֵּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י זְבוּלֻ֑ן אֱלִיאָ֖ב בֶּן־
NAS: army of the sons of Zebulun.
KJV: of the children of Zebulun [was] Eliab
INT: the tribal the son of Zebulun and Eliab of the sons

Numbers 13:10
HEB: לְמַטֵּ֣ה זְבוּלֻ֔ן גַּדִּיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־
NAS: from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel
KJV: Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel
INT: the tribe of Zebulun Gaddiel the son

Numbers 26:26
HEB: בְּנֵ֣י זְבוּלֻן֮ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֒ לְסֶ֗רֶד
NAS: The sons of Zebulun according to their families:
KJV: [Of] the sons of Zebulun after their families:
INT: the sons of Zebulun to their families of Sered

Numbers 34:25
HEB: וּלְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־ זְבוּלֻ֖ן נָשִׂ֑יא אֱלִיצָפָ֖ן
NAS: of the sons of Zebulun a leader,
KJV: of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan
INT: of the tribe of the sons of Zebulun A leader Elizaphan

Deuteronomy 27:13
HEB: גָּ֣ד וְאָשֵׁ֔ר וּזְבוּלֻ֖ן דָּ֥ן וְנַפְתָּלִֽי׃
NAS: Asher, Zebulun, Dan,
KJV: and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan,
INT: Gad Asher Zebulun Dan and Naphtali

Deuteronomy 33:18
HEB: וְלִזְבוּלֻ֣ן אָמַ֔ר שְׂמַ֥ח
NAS: Of Zebulun he said, Rejoice,
KJV: And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice,
INT: of Zebulun said Rejoice

Deuteronomy 33:18
HEB: אָמַ֔ר שְׂמַ֥ח זְבוּלֻ֖ן בְּצֵאתֶ֑ךָ וְיִשָּׂשכָ֖ר
NAS: Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going forth,
KJV: Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out;
INT: said Rejoice Zebulun your going and Issachar

Joshua 19:10
HEB: הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י לִבְנֵ֥י זְבוּלֻ֖ן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם וַיְהִ֛י
NAS: up for the sons of Zebulun according to their families.
KJV: for the children of Zebulun according to their families:
INT: now the third the sons of Zebulun to their families become

Joshua 19:16
HEB: נַחֲלַ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־ זְבוּלֻ֖ן לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָ֑ם הֶֽעָרִ֥ים
NAS: of the sons of Zebulun according to their families,
KJV: of the children of Zebulun according to their families,
INT: the inheritance of the sons of Zebulun to their families cities

Joshua 19:27
HEB: דָּגֹן֒ וּפָגַ֣ע בִּ֠זְבֻלוּן וּבְגֵ֨י יִפְתַּח־
NAS: and reached to Zebulun, and to the valley
KJV: and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley
INT: to Beth-dagon and reached to Zebulun the valley of Iphtahel

Joshua 19:34
HEB: חוּקֹ֑קָה וּפָגַ֨ע בִּזְבֻל֜וּן מִנֶּ֗גֶב וּבְאָשֵׁר֙
NAS: and it reached to Zebulun on the south
KJV: and reacheth to Zebulun on the south side,
INT: to Hukkok reached to Zebulun the south Asher

Joshua 21:7
HEB: גָד֙ וּמִמַּטֵּ֣ה זְבוּלֻ֔ן עָרִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֥ים
NAS: of Gad and from the tribe of Zebulun.
KJV: and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve
INT: of Gad the tribe of Zebulun cities both

Joshua 21:34
HEB: מֵאֵת֙ מַטֵּ֣ה זְבוּלֻ֔ן אֶֽת־ יָקְנְעָ֖ם
NAS: [they gave] from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam
KJV: out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam
INT: the rest the tribe of Zebulun Jokneam pasture

Judges 1:30
HEB: זְבוּלֻ֗ן לֹ֤א הוֹרִישׁ֙
NAS: Zebulun did not drive
KJV: Neither did Zebulun drive out
INT: Zebulun did not drive

45 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2074
45 Occurrences


biz·ḇu·lūn — 2 Occ.
liz·ḇū·lun — 2 Occ.
miz·zə·ḇu·lūn — 1 Occ.
ū·miz·zə·ḇū·lun — 2 Occ.
ū·ḇiz·ḇu·lūn — 1 Occ.
ū·zə·ḇū·lun — 4 Occ.
wə·liz·ḇū·lun — 1 Occ.
yi·śā·š·ḵār — 1 Occ.
zə·ḇu·lūn — 31 Occ.

2073
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