### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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]].
### Related Words & Concepts
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.
### Theological Significance
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]].
### Summary
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