Zanoah is a biblical town mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily within the context of the tribal allotments and the post-exilic period of Israel's history. It is located in the Shephelah, the lowland region of Judah, and is noted for its role in the restoration efforts led by Nehemiah.

Biblical References:

1. Tribal Allotment in Judah:
Zanoah is first mentioned in the Book of Joshua as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah. In Joshua 15:34, it is listed among the towns in the Shephelah: "Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam." This inclusion highlights its geographical and tribal significance during the period of the conquest and settlement of Canaan.

2. Post-Exilic Restoration:
The town gains further prominence in the Book of Nehemiah, which details the efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls after the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah 3:13 states, "Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and set up its doors, bolts, and bars, as well as a thousand cubits of the wall to the Dung Gate." This passage underscores the active participation of Zanoah's residents in the communal effort to restore the city, reflecting their commitment to the reestablishment of Judah's spiritual and social life.

3. Genealogical Record:
In the genealogical records of the returning exiles, Zanoah is mentioned in Nehemiah 11:30, indicating its continued habitation and importance during the post-exilic period: "Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages; they settled from Beersheba all the way to the Valley of Hinnom."

Historical and Archaeological Insights:

Zanoah's identification with modern-day Khirbet Zanu' is supported by archaeological findings that align with its biblical description and historical context. The site reveals remnants of ancient settlements, including pottery and structural remains, which provide insights into the life and culture of its inhabitants during biblical times.

Theological Significance:

Zanoah's mention in the context of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls is significant for understanding the collective effort and unity among the people of Judah during a pivotal moment in their history. The participation of Zanoah's inhabitants in this project reflects the broader theme of restoration and renewal that is central to the post-exilic narrative. It serves as a testament to the faithfulness and resilience of the Jewish people in the face of adversity, as they sought to restore their covenantal relationship with God and reestablish their identity as His chosen people.

Cultural and Religious Context:

As part of the Shephelah, Zanoah was situated in a region that served as a buffer zone between the coastal Philistine cities and the Judean highlands. This location made it strategically important and often subject to the cultural and military influences of surrounding nations. Despite these challenges, the biblical record emphasizes the town's role in the religious and communal life of Judah, particularly during the critical period of rebuilding and renewal under Nehemiah's leadership.

In summary, Zanoah is a town of historical and theological importance in the biblical narrative, representing themes of restoration, community, and faithfulness to God's covenant. Its mention in the Scriptures provides valuable insights into the life and challenges faced by the people of Judah during both the conquest of Canaan and the post-exilic period.Zanoah

forgetfulness; desertion

Zanoah

(marsh).

1. A town of Judah in the Shefelah or plain, (Joshua 15:34; Nehemiah 3:13; 11:30) possibly identical with Zanua .
2. A town of Judah in the highland district, (Joshua 15:66) not improbably identical with Sanute , about 10 miles south of Hebron.
3. In the genealogical lists of the tribe of Judah in 1 Chron., Jekuthiel is said to have been the father of Zanoah. ch. (1 Chronicles 4:18) As Zanoah is the name of a town of Judah, this mention of Bithiah probably points to some colonization of the place by Egyptians or by Israelites directly from Egypt.

Zanoah

The name of two towns in Judah, Joshua 15:34,56. The inhabitants of one of them aided in rebuilding Jerusalem, Nehemiah 3:13; 11:30.

Marsh.

(1.) A town in the low country or shephelah of Judah, near Zorah (Joshua 15:34). It was re-occupied after the return from the Captivity (Nehemiah 11:30). Zanu'ah in Wady Ismail, 10 miles west of Jerusalem, occupies probably the same site.

(2.) A town in the hill country of Judah, some 10 miles to the south-west of Hebron (Joshua 15:56).

ZANOAH

za-no'-a (zanoach; Codex Vaticanus Tano; Codex Alexandrinus Zano):

(1) A town in the Judean Shephelah, grouped with Eshtaol, Zorah and Ashnah (Joshua 15:34). The Jews reoccupied the place after the exile (Nehemiah 11:30). Here it is named between Jarmuth and Adullam. The inhabitants assisted in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, repairing the valley gate (Nehemiah 3:13). Eusebius (in Onomasticon) places it at Zanna, in the district of Eleutheropolis on the Jerusalem road. It is represented by the modern Zanu`a, about 10 miles North of Belt Jibrin (Eleutheropolis).

(2) (Codex Vaticanus Zakanaeim; Codex Alexandrinus Zano): A place in the mountains (Joshua 15:56) of which Jekuthiel was the "father" or founder (1 Chronicles 4:18). It may be identified with Zenuta, a ruined site on a hill about 12 miles South of Hebron.

W. Ewing

2182. Zanoach -- two cities in Judah
... 2181, 2182. Zanoach. 2183 . two cities in Judah. Transliteration: Zanoach Phonetic
Spelling: (zaw-no'-akh) Short Definition: Zanoah. ... Zanoah. ...
/hebrew/2182.htm - 6k

Ephraim
... read, as we have writ it: the Tosaphtah also reads Michmas: but the Talmud...: the
Aruch also hath Michmas: but for Mezonechah, it hath Zanoah...the Talmud ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 53 ephraim.htm

Zanoah (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ZANOAH. ...Zanoah (5 Occurrences). Joshua 15:34 Zanoah,
En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/z/zanoah.htm - 9k

Zano'ah (4 Occurrences)
Zano'ah. Zanoah, Zano'ah. Zaphenathpaneah . ... Zano'ah (4 Occurrences). Joshua
15:34 and Zanoah, and En-gannim, Tappuah, and Enam; (See RSV). ...
/z/zano'ah.htm - 7k

En-gannim (3 Occurrences)
... Fountain of gardens. (1.) A town in the plains of Judah (Joshua 15:34), north-west
of Jerusalem, between Zanoah and Tappuah. It is the modern Umm Jina. ...
/e/en-gannim.htm - 9k

Engannim (3 Occurrences)
... Fountain of gardens. (1.) A town in the plains of Judah (Joshua 15:34), north-west
of Jerusalem, between Zanoah and Tappuah. It is the modern Umm Jina. ...
/e/engannim.htm - 8k

Hanun (10 Occurrences)
... (3) One of the inhabitants of Zanoah who repaired the Valley Gate in the wall of
Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:13). Byron H. Dement. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/h/hanun.htm - 11k

Yards (4 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 3:13 The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they
built it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and one thousand ...
/y/yards.htm - 7k

Valley-gate (3 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 3:13 The valley-gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they
built it, and set up its doors, its locks and its bars, and a thousand cubits ...
/v/valley-gate.htm - 7k

Zamzummites (1 Occurrence)

/z/zamzummites.htm - 6k

Jok'de-am (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Jok'de-am (1 Occurrence). Joshua 15:56 and Jezreel, and
Jokdeam, and Zanoah; (See RSV). Jokdeam, Jok'de-am. Joke . Reference Bible
/j/jok'de-am.htm - 6k

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