Bible Dictionary
Zebulun, Tribe of
The tribe of Zebulun was counted in the wilderness, received an inheritance in Canaan, aided Israel’s judges and David, and was eventually carried into Assyria with the northern tribes.
Definition
The tribe of Zebulun descended from Jacob’s son Zebulun. It was counted among Israel’s tribes at Sinai and again before entry into Canaan, and it received an inheritance in the northern land. The tribe did not drive out all the Canaanites, but made them tributary.
Biblical Usage
Zebulun responded to Gideon’s summons, helped establish David at Hebron, and is praised in Deborah’s song for its military service. Its mention of those who handle the writer’s rod has also been understood as referring to scribes or to those bearing a marshal’s staff.
Historical Background
The tribe was eventually carried away to Assyria with the northern tribes under Tiglath-pileser. Its land was fertile and strategically placed in northern Canaan.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Numbered at Sinai (Num. 1:31) and before entering Canaan (26:27). It was one of the tribes which did not drive out the Canaanites, but only made them tributary (Judg. 1:30). It took little interest in public affairs. It responded, however, readily to the summons of Gideon (6:35), and afterwards assisted in enthroning David at Hebron (1 Chr. 12:33, 40). Along with the other northern tribes, Zebulun was carried away into the land of Assyria by Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings 15:29). In Deborah’s song the words, “Out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer” (Judg. 5:14) has been rendered in the R.V., “They that handle the marshal’s staff.” This is a questionable rendering. “The word sopher (‘scribe’ or ’writer’) defines the word shebhet (‘rod’ or ‘pen’) with which it is conjoined. The ‘rod of the scribe’ on the Assyrian monuments was the stylus of wood or metal, with the help of which the clay tablet was engraved, or the papyrus inscribed with characters. The scribe who wielded it was the associate and assistant of the ‘lawgivers.’” (Sayce).