Bible Dictionary
Zaanan
Zaanan was a town in the lowland of Judah, probably the same place as Zenan. Micah uses its name in a wordplay, declaring that its inhabitants would not come forth.
Definition
Zaanan was a town in the lowland, or Shephelah, of Judah. It is probably the same place as Zenan. Its name is associated with the idea of going forth in the wordplay used by the prophet Micah.
Biblical Usage
Micah declares that the inhabitant of Zaanan would not come forth. The prophetic statement plays on the similarity between the town’s name and the Hebrew expression for going out.
Historical Background
Zaanan may be identified with Zenan, a place listed in the plain country of Judah. The identification is probable rather than certain.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Place of flocks, mentioned only in Micah 1:11. It may be identified with Zenan, in the plain country of Judah (Josh. 15:37).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Zenan]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>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.</p>