Zaanan is a town mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the book of Micah. The name "Zaanan" is believed to be derived from a root meaning "to go out" or "to come forth," which is fitting given the context in which it is mentioned. The town is referenced in Micah 1:11, where the prophet Micah delivers a series of oracles against various cities in Judah as part of his broader message of judgment and impending disaster due to the people's sins.

Biblical Reference:

· Micah 1:11 : "Depart in shame, O inhabitants of Shaphir; the inhabitants of Zaanan do not come out. Beth Ezel is in mourning; its support is taken from you."

In this passage, Zaanan is mentioned alongside other towns such as Shaphir and Beth Ezel. The context suggests a time of distress and calamity, where the inhabitants of Zaanan are unable to "come out," possibly indicating a siege or a situation where they are trapped or immobilized by fear or enemy forces. The prophetic message highlights the consequences of the people's unfaithfulness to God, as Micah warns of the coming judgment upon the land.

Historical and Geographical Context:

The exact location of Zaanan is not definitively known today, and it is not mentioned frequently in biblical or extrabiblical sources. However, it is generally considered to be a town in the Shephelah, the lowland region of Judah. This area was known for its fertile land and strategic importance, often serving as a battleground between various powers throughout Israel's history.

Theological Significance:

The mention of Zaanan in Micah's prophecy serves as a poignant reminder of the broader themes of judgment and repentance that permeate the book. Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, prophesied during a time of social injustice and religious corruption in Judah. His message called the people to return to covenant faithfulness and warned of the dire consequences of their continued rebellion against God.

Zaanan, like the other towns mentioned in Micah 1, symbolizes the collective fate of the nation if they fail to heed the prophet's warnings. The inability of Zaanan's inhabitants to "come out" underscores the theme of helplessness and the dire situation that results from turning away from God's protection and guidance.

Cultural and Literary Aspects:

The use of wordplay and puns is a notable feature in Micah's oracles against the cities. The name Zaanan, meaning "to go out," is contrasted with the statement that its inhabitants "do not come out," creating a literary device that emphasizes the irony and severity of the situation. This technique is employed throughout Micah 1 to convey the message in a memorable and impactful manner.

In summary, Zaanan's mention in the Bible, though brief, contributes to the rich tapestry of prophetic literature that calls God's people to accountability and highlights the consequences of their actions. The town's fate, as depicted in Micah's prophecy, serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's covenant.Zaanan

[ZENAN]

Zaanan

Micah 1:11, supposed to be the same as Zenan, Joshua 15:37, a town in the plain country of Judah.

Place of flocks, mentioned only in Micah 1:11. It may be identified with Zenan, in the plain country of Judah (Joshua 15:37). ZAANAN

za'-a-nan (tsa`anan; Sennaar): A place named by Micah in the Shephelah of Judah (1:11). In this sentence the prophet makes verbal play with the name, as if it were derived from yatsa', "to go forth": "The inhabitant (margin "inhabitress") of tsa'anan is not come forth" (yatse'ah). The place is not identical. It is probably the same as ZENAN.

6630. Tsaanan -- a place perhaps in the Shephelah of Judah
... Tsaanan. 6631 . a place perhaps in the Shephelah of Judah. Transliteration: Tsaanan
Phonetic Spelling: (tsah-an-awn') Short Definition: Zaanan. ... Zaanan. ...
/hebrew/6630.htm - 6k

And ii.
... Hence, we cannot suppose that Zaanan here is identical with Zenan, which is situated
in the south of Jerusalem, Joshua 15:37, nor Saphir with Samir. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Acts xx. 1
... [1014] Ainan. Sav. marg., Sainan. LXX. Edd., Sennaar. Hebr., Zaanan. [1015] This
clause is evidently misplaced, and moreover requires to be completed. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xliii acts xx 1.htm

Zaanan (1 Occurrence)
...ZAANAN. za'-a-nan (tsa`anan; Sennaar): A place named by Micah in the Shephelah
of Judah (1:11). ... Multi-Version Concordance Zaanan (1 Occurrence). ...
/z/zaanan.htm - 7k

Za'anan (1 Occurrence)
Za'anan. Zaanan, Za'anan. Zaanannim . ... Micah 1:11 Pass on, inhabitant of Shaphir,
in nakedness and shame. The inhabitant of Zaanan won't come out. ...
/z/za'anan.htm - 6k

Zaanaim (1 Occurrence)

/z/zaanaim.htm - 7k

Inhabitress (12 Occurrences)
... shame. The inhabitress of Zaanan is not come forth for the lamentation of
Beth-ezel: he will take from you its shelter. (DBY). Micah ...
/i/inhabitress.htm - 10k

Ezel (3 Occurrences)
... himself; (YLT). Micah 1:11 Pass on, inhabitant of Shaphir, in nakedness and
shame. The inhabitant of Zaanan won't come out. The wailing ...
/e/ezel.htm - 8k

Beth-e'zel (1 Occurrence)
... Not gone out hath the inhabitant of Zaanan, The lamentation of Beth-Ezel doth take
from you its standing. (See RSV). Beth-ezel, Beth-e'zel. Bethgader . ...
/b/beth-e'zel.htm - 6k

Beth-ezel (1 Occurrence)
... Micah 1:11 Pass away, O inhabitant of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame: the inhabitant
of Zaanan is not come forth; the wailing of Beth-ezel shall take from you ...
/b/beth-ezel.htm - 7k

Bethezel (1 Occurrence)
... Micah 1:11 Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the
inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Bethezel; he shall ...
/b/bethezel.htm - 7k

Standing-place (1 Occurrence)
... Micah 1:11 Pass away, O inhabitant of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame: the inhabitant
of Zaanan is not come forth; the wailing of Beth-ezel shall take from you ...
/s/standing-place.htm - 6k

Shaphir (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shaphir (1 Occurrence). Micah 1:11 Pass on, inhabitant
of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame. The inhabitant of Zaanan won't come out. ...
/s/shaphir.htm - 7k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus