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Meaning, origin and etymology of the name Zebulun


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Zebulun Zebulun

Zebulun is Jacob's son number ten, and Leah's sixth.

"Now my husband will be honored to dwell with me,
because I borne him six sons."
- Gen 30:20, Abarim Publications translation.

The name Zebulun was probably around long before the Hebrew verb 'to dwell gloriously' was invented. TWOTOT makes mention of Speiser's link to the Akkadian zubullu, which denotes a bridegroom's gift.

The name Zebulun relative to the text of the Torah, however, is openly related to the verb verb zabal (zabal 526), exalt, honour. This verb is only used in Gen 30:20, so its meaning should be taken from its derivatives. The noun zabal (zebul 526a), habitation, height, occurs only five times:

In 1 Ki 8:13 Solomon gives his Temple initiation speech. He address God, and speaks of a lofty dwelling for the Lord. Isaiah portraits God looking down from His holy and glorious dwelling place (63:15). Hab 3:11 may refer to Joshua's longest day (Josh 10:12) and tells of the heavens as dwelling place for the sun and the moon. The last occurrence is in Ps 49:14, where the authors exclaim that the form of the dead will be consumed in Sheol, so that they have no habitation .

The name Zebulun means Glorious Dwelling Place.



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