Zaanannim is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. It is associated with the narrative of Deborah and Barak, key figures in the period of the Judges, a time characterized by cycles of Israelite apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to Zaanannim is found in Judges 4:11. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent by the great tree of Zaanannim, near Kedesh."

Historical and Geographical Context:

Zaanannim is described as being near Kedesh, a city in the territory of Naphtali in the northern part of ancient Israel. The mention of the "great tree of Zaanannim" suggests a notable landmark, possibly a terebinth or oak, which was common in the region and often served as a meeting place or a point of reference.

The location of Zaanannim is significant in the narrative of Judges 4, as it is near the site where the Israelite forces, led by Barak and inspired by the prophetess Deborah, gathered to confront the Canaanite army under the command of Sisera. The proximity to Kedesh, a Levitical city of refuge, underscores the strategic importance of the area during this period.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

The mention of Heber the Kenite in connection with Zaanannim highlights the presence of non-Israelite groups living among the Israelites. The Kenites, descendants of Jethro (also known as Hobab), Moses' father-in-law, were traditionally allied with Israel. Heber's decision to separate from his kin and settle near Zaanannim may reflect the complex social and political dynamics of the time.

Theologically, the narrative surrounding Zaanannim emphasizes God's sovereignty and deliverance. The account of Deborah and Barak is a testament to God's faithfulness in raising leaders to deliver His people from oppression. The setting of Zaanannim serves as a backdrop to this divine intervention, illustrating how God uses specific places and people to fulfill His purposes.

Archaeological Insights:

While the exact location of Zaanannim remains uncertain, it is generally believed to be in the region of Upper Galilee. Archaeological efforts have yet to definitively identify the site, but the broader area has yielded findings that illuminate the historical context of the Judges period, including evidence of Canaanite and Israelite settlements.

Conclusion:

Zaanannim, though briefly mentioned, plays a role in the larger narrative of Israel's history during the time of the Judges. It serves as a geographical marker in the account of Deborah and Barak, highlighting the interplay between divine providence and human agency in the unfolding of God's plan for His people.Zaanannim

movings; a person asleep

Zaanannim

Joshua 19:33, a town in the north of Naphtali, near Kedesh and the foot of Anti-Lebanon, Jud 4:11.

Zaanaim, (Joshua 19:33). ZAANANNIM; PLAIN OR OAK OF

za-a-nan'-im, elon betsa`anayim; or betsa`anannim Codex Vaticanus Besamiein; Codex Alexandrinus Besananim (Joshua 19:33); in Judges 4:11 Codex Vaticanus translates it as pleonektounton, and Codex Alexandrinus has anapauomenon): In Joshua 19:33 the King James Version reads "Allon to Zaanannim," the Revised Version (British and American) "the oak in Zaanannim," the Revised Version margin "oak (or terebinth) of Bezaanannim." In Judges 4:11 the King James Version reads "plain of Zaanaim," the Revised Version (British and American) "oak in Zaanannim." It is probable that the same place is intended in the two passages. It was a place on the southern border of the territory of Naphtali (Joshua), and near it the tent of Heber the Kenite was pitched (Judges). The absence of the article before 'elon shows that the "be" is not the preposition before "z", but the first letter of the name, which accordingly should be read "Bezaanannim." We should naturally look for it near Adami and Nekeb. This agrees also with the indications in Judges, if the direction of Sisera's flight suggested in MEROZ (which see) is correct. The Kadesh, then, of Judges 4:11 may be represented by the ruin Qadish on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee; and in the name Khirbet Bessum, about 3 miles Northeast of Tabor, there is perhaps an echo of Bezaanannim.

W. Ewing

6815. Tsaanannim -- a place on the border of Naphtali
... Tsaanannim. 6816 . a place on the border of Naphtali. Transliteration: Tsaanannim
Phonetic Spelling: (tsah-an-an-neem') Short Definition: Zaanannim. ...
/hebrew/6815.htm - 6kZaanannim (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary =Zaanaim, (Joshua 19:33). Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. ZAANANNIM; PLAIN OR OAK OF. za-a-nan'-im, elon ...
/z/zaanannim.htm - 8k

Allon (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Oak. (1.) The expression in the Authorized Version of
Joshua 19:33, "from Allon to Zaanannim," is more correctly rendered in the ...
/a/allon.htm - 8k

Oak (22 Occurrences)
... the margin has "terebinth" or "terebinths." In Genesis 12:6 Deuteronomy 11:30 we
have "oak" or "oaks" "of the teacher" (Moreh); "oak in Zaanannim" in Judges 4 ...
/o/oak.htm - 33k

Oak-tree (11 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:33 And their limit was from Heleph, from the oak-tree in Zaanannim, and
Adami-hannekeb and Jabneel, as far as Lakkum, ending at Jordan; (BBE). ...
/o/oak-tree.htm - 10k

Plain (113 Occurrences)
...ZAANANNIM; PLAIN OR OAK OF. za-a-nan'-im, elon betsa`anayim; or betsa`anannim
Codex Vaticanus Besamiein; Codex Alexandrinus Besananim ...
/p/plain.htm - 71k

Za'anan (1 Occurrence)
Za'anan. Zaanan, Za'anan. Zaanannim . Multi-Version Concordance Za'anan (1
Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Zaanan, Za'anan. Zaanannim . Reference Bible.
/z/za'anan.htm - 6k

Za-anan'nim (2 Occurrences)
Za-anan'nim. Zaanannim, Za-anan'nim. Zaavan . Multi-Version Concordance ... (DBY
RSV). Zaanannim, Za-anan'nim. Zaavan . Reference Bible.
/z/za-anan'nim.htm - 7k

Kenite (9 Occurrences)
... himself from the Kenites, even from the children of Hobab the brother-in-law of
Moses, and had pitched his tent as far as the oak in Zaanannim, which is by ...
/k/kenite.htm - 9k

Nekeb (1 Occurrence)
... Nekeb (1 Occurrence). Joshua 19:33 Their border was from Heleph, from the oak in
Zaanannim, Adaminekeb, and Jabneel, to Lakkum. It ended at the Jordan. ...
/n/nekeb.htm - 7k

Outgoings (21 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:33 And their coast was from Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannim, and Adami,
Nekeb, and Jabneel, unto Lakum; and the outgoings thereof were at Jordan ...
/o/outgoings.htm - 12k

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