The Hebrew word Zᵉbûwlônîy, represented by H2075, is a patronymic term for a Zebulonite. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses. Derived from the name Zebulun, its sole function is to identify a person or group as a descendant of Zebulun, one of the sons of Jacob. This label defines an individual's lineage and tribal affiliation within the nation of Israel.
In biblical accounts, H2075 is used to establish tribal identity in both collective and individual contexts. It appears in a census to enumerate the population of the tribe, where the "families of the Zebulunites" were numbered at threescore thousand and five hundred Numbers 26:27. The term also identifies a specific leader of Israel, Elon the Zebulonite, who judged the nation for ten years Judges 12:11 and was later buried in the land of his tribe Judges 12:12.
Several related words provide a broader context for the identity of a Zebulonite:
- H2074 Zᵉbûwlûwn: The patriarch from whom the Zebulunites descend, listed as one of the sons of Israel 1 Chronicles 2:1. The term also refers to the tribe and its territory.
- H356 ʼÊylôwn: The name of the specific Zebulonite who served as a judge of Israel Judges 12:11.
- H4940 mishpâchâh (family): This word is used in conjunction with H2075 to define the smaller clans or "families of the Zebulunites" that made up the tribe during the census Numbers 26:27.
- H8199 shâphaṭ (to judge): This verb describes the primary role of the Zebulonite Elon, who "judged Israel ten years" Judges 12:11, indicating a position of national governance.
The use of H2075 carries specific weight within the biblical narrative:
- Tribal Identity: The term serves as a clear marker of belonging to the tribe of Zebulun, a fundamental component of one's identity within the structure of the twelve tribes of Israel.
- National Leadership: The story of Elon the Zebulonite demonstrates that members of this tribe held significant positions of authority, with one of their own rising to judge the entire nation Judges 12:11.
- Census and Demographics: Its use in the book of Numbers is tied to the critical administrative act of numbering the people by their families H4940, establishing the strength and composition of the tribe Numbers 26:27.
- Connection to Land: The identity is tied to a geographic inheritance, as shown when Elon the Zebulonite is buried in the country H776 of Zebulun, reinforcing the link between the people and their allotted territory Judges 12:12.
In summary, H2075 Zᵉbûwlônîy is a precise descriptor of ancestral and tribal identity. While its usage is infrequent, it plays a key role in the contexts of national census, leadership, and the connection between a people and their land. The word illustrates how an individual's identity in ancient Israel was inextricably linked to their lineage and their place within the greater community of the twelve tribes.
TRV