Lexical Summary Zanoach: Zanoach Original Word: זָנוֹחַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Zanoah From zanach; rejected; Zanoach, the name of two places in Palestine -- Zanoah. see HEBREW zanach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom zanach Definition two cities in Judah NASB Translation Zanoah (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs זָנוֺחַ proper name, of a location 1. Zanu±a, southeast ‚orea (RobBR ii. 61 BdPal 163) Joshua 15:34; Nehemiah 3:13; Nehemiah 11:30; 1 Chronicles 4:18. 2 a place in the mountains. Joshua 15:56, possibly Zânûta, southwest of Hebron, GuérinJudée iii. 200 Survey iii. 404; but Di thinks this is too far south. Topical Lexicon Overview Zanoah is the name of a Judahite locality (or two localities) and of the chief clan that settled there. Its repeated mention from the Conquest narratives to the post-exilic era traces a continuous testimony to God’s covenant faithfulness toward Judah despite warfare, exile, and resettlement. Scriptural Occurrences 1. Joshua 15:34 – listed among the Shephelah (“Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam”). Geographical Setting Two neighboring sites in Judah likely bear the same name: The duplication reflects practical settlement patterns: an agricultural base in the valleys supplemented by defensive or seasonal occupation in the uplands. Historical Context Joshua records Zanoah among the towns allotted to Judah, establishing its antiquity in the land grant. By the monarchy Zanoah had developed into a distinct clan, as 1 Chronicles 4:18 traces its founding father to a mixed Egyptian–Judahite lineage, highlighting Israel’s capacity to incorporate outsiders under the covenant (compare Exodus 12:38). Contribution to the Rebuilding of Jerusalem During Nehemiah’s restoration, the people of Zanoah traveled roughly 25 km to labor on the capital’s defences. Their work party rebuilt “one thousand cubits of the wall” (Nehemiah 3:13), a stretch of about 450 meters, marking one of the longest sections credited to a single group. Their zeal illustrates how even provincial villages embraced the corporate calling to restore worship and security in Jerusalem. Post-Exilic Resettlement Nehemiah 11:30 notes Zanoah among the settlements re-inhabited by returned exiles. The verse closes a narrative arc that began in Joshua, paused under judgment in the exile, and resumes in renewed obedience. Zanoah’s inclusion shows that restoration was both spiritual and territorial: covenant people returning to covenant places. Genealogical Note The Chronicles genealogy couples Zanoah with Gedor and Soco, towns associated with warriors (1 Chronicles 4:18; 4:8–9). The clan’s ancestry through an Egyptian princess joined to Judah’s line anticipates the prophetic vision of nations streaming to Zion (Isaiah 2:2–3) and demonstrates the unifying power of God’s promises. Theological and Ministry Significance • Covenant Continuity – From conquest to restoration, Zanoah stands as evidence that divine promises regarding land and people endure. Archaeological Insights Pottery from Iron Age strata at Khirbet Zanua matches the period of the Judges and Monarchy, while Persian-period sherds align with Nehemiah’s time, supporting the biblical timeline. Rock-cut tombs and cisterns indicate a stable, multigenerational settlement capable of supporting the workforce sent to Jerusalem. Key References Joshua 15:34; Joshua 15:56; 1 Chronicles 4:18; Nehemiah 3:13; Nehemiah 11:30 Forms and Transliterations וְזָנ֙וֹחַ֙ וְזָנֽוֹחַ׃ וזנוח וזנוח׃ זָנ֑וֹחַ זָנֹ֤חַ זָנוֹחַ֒ זנוח זנח vezaNoach wə·zā·nō·w·aḥ wəzānōwaḥ zā·nō·aḥ zā·nō·w·aḥ zaNoach zānōaḥ zānōwaḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 15:34 HEB: וְזָנ֙וֹחַ֙ וְעֵ֣ין גַּנִּ֔ים NAS: and Zanoah and En-gannim, Tappuah KJV: And Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, INT: and Zanoah and En-gannim Tappuah Joshua 15:56 1 Chronicles 4:18 Nehemiah 3:13 Nehemiah 11:30 5 Occurrences |
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