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Zebulun - Twelve Tribes of Israel
 The Tribe of Zebulun
or Bnei Zvulun (Hebrew זְבוּלֻן / זְבוּלֹן "Dwelling;
habitation) is one of the Hebrew tribes, founded by
Zebulun son of Jacob, 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 III (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).
The territory of the Tribe of Zebulun was located in the
southern Galilee, adjacent to the Tribe of Issachar, and
the two tribes had strong bonds between them. The
prophet Jonah was a member of the Tribe of Zebulun (I
Kings 14:15).
Traditionally, the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun were
considered to have a symbiotic relationship, whereby
Issachar would devote his time to the study and teaching
of Torah, and Zebulun would financially support him. In
exchange, Zebulun would receive a share in the spiritual
reward for Issachar's learning. In modern times,
although the identity of Issachar and Zebulun are
unknown, these terms are still used by those engaged in
such a partnership. |
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The
name Zebulun means dwelling, habitation, abiding,
continuing, to reside or dwell with. The Carbuncle
stone upon which the name was engraved symbolized
lightning, glittering, or flashing. The tribe of
Zebulun traveled and they settled on the coastlands.
They were as a lighthouse, a guide in the dark, and
their place of habitation became a welcome port.
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