or צִידֹן; from צוּד in the sense of catching fish; fishery; Tsidon, the name of a son of Canaan, and of a place in Palestine; Sidon, Zidon.
Transliteration:Tsîydôwn
Pronunciation:tsee-done'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma H6721, צִידוֹן (Tsîydôwn), is a proper noun derived from the root צוּד (tsuwd), which conveys the primary sense of hunting or catching, particularly in the context of fishing. The base definition "fishery" directly reflects this etymological root, suggesting a place intrinsically linked to the sea and its resources. Semantically, Tsîydôwn functions in two primary capacities within the biblical text:
1. **As a person:** It refers to Tsidon, the firstborn son of Canaan, as recorded in the Table of Nations. This usage establishes an ancestral figure, often eponymous for a later people or place.
2. **As a place:** It designates the ancient and prominent coastal city-state of Sidon (also rendered Zidon), located on the Phoenician coast. This city's name is a direct reflection of its foundational economic activity and maritime identity. The dual application of the name to both a person and a place is a common feature in ancient Near Eastern nomenclature, where cities were frequently named after their founders or significant tribal ancestors.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
H6721 appears numerous times throughout the Old and New Testaments, consistently referring to either the son of Canaan or the city of Sidon.
* **As a Son of Canaan:**
* [[Genesis 10:15]]: "And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth." This verse establishes Sidon's lineage, placing him as the firstborn of Canaan, the son of Ham. This foundational mention sets the stage for understanding the broader Canaanite ethnic and geographical context.
* [[1 Chronicles 1:13]]: This passage reiterates the genealogical link, confirming Sidon's place within the patriarchal records.
* **As a City-State:**
* **Geographical Marker:** Sidon frequently serves as a geographical reference point, particularly in defining the boundaries of Canaanite territory. [[Genesis 10:19]] describes the border of the Canaanites stretching "from Sidon, as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza."
* **Unconquered Territory:** Despite being part of the promised land, Sidon remained largely outside Israelite control, highlighting a persistent challenge in fully possessing the land. [[Judges 1:31]] states, "Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of Sidon..."
* **Symbol of Phoenician Power and Idolatry:** Sidon, often paired with Tyre, became emblematic of Phoenician maritime prowess, commercial enterprise, and, significantly, polytheistic worship.
* [[Judges 10:6]]: The "gods of Sidon" are explicitly mentioned as deities served by the Israelites during periods of apostasy, alongside Baals and Ashtaroth, indicating their pervasive influence.
* [[1 Kings 16:31]]: Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, introduced intense Baal worship into Israel, leading to severe spiritual decline.
* **Prophetic Oracles:** Sidon is a frequent subject of divine judgment in the prophetic books, often due to its pride, wealth, and opposition to God's people.
* [[Isaiah 23:2-4]]: Laments the destruction of Tyre and Sidon, depicting the collapse of their maritime power.
* [[Jeremiah 25:22]]: Sidon is listed among the nations destined to drink the cup of God's wrath.
* [[Ezekiel 28:21-23]]: A specific oracle against Sidon prophesies judgment and the manifestation of God's glory through its downfall.
* [[Joel 3:4]]: Condemns Tyre and Sidon for their role in selling the people of Judah and Jerusalem into slavery.
* **New Testament Contexts:** Sidon continues to feature as a geographical and historical location in the New Testament.
* [[Matthew 11:21-22]] and [[Luke 10:13-14]]: Jesus denounces Chorazin and Bethsaida, declaring that if the miracles performed in them had been done in Tyre and Sidon, those cities would have repented. This suggests a greater spiritual culpability for the unrepentant Israelite cities.
* [[Matthew 15:21]]: Jesus withdraws to the region of Tyre and Sidon, demonstrating His ministry's reach into Gentile territories.
* [[Acts 12:20]]: The people of Tyre and Sidon seek peace with Herod Agrippa I, highlighting their economic dependence on Judea.
* [[Acts 27:3]]: Paul's ship stops at Sidon during his journey to Rome, where he is permitted to visit friends, illustrating the city's continued importance as a port.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H6699}}` צִיד (tsîyd):** The noun form of the root from which Tsîydôwn is derived, meaning "hunting" or "prey." This directly reinforces the "fishery" aspect of the city's etymological origin.
* **`{{H6704}}` צַיִד (tsayid):** Another related term, often referring to provisions or food obtained by hunting.
* **`{{H6865}}` צֹר (Tsor):** Tyre, the prominent Phoenician sister city to Sidon. These two cities are almost invariably mentioned together in biblical texts, symbolizing the collective power, wealth, and often the shared prophetic destiny of the Phoenician city-states. Their close association underscores a common cultural, economic, and religious identity.
* **Canaanites:** The broader ethnic and geographical group to which Sidon, as a son of Canaan, belongs and from which the city of Sidon originates. Understanding Sidon requires acknowledging its place within the larger Canaanite cultural and religious sphere, particularly concerning the worship of Baal and Asherah.
* **Phoenicians:** While a later Greek designation, the inhabitants of Sidon (and Tyre) are the people known to us as Phoenicians, celebrated for their unparalleled maritime trade, purple dye production, and the development of the alphabet.
### Theological Significance
The study of H6721, Tsîydôwn, yields several significant theological insights:
* **Divine Sovereignty Over Nations:** The numerous prophetic pronouncements against Sidon in the Old Testament powerfully demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, whether covenant people or not. He orchestrates the rise and fall of empires, using them as instruments of His will and revealing His glory through their judgment or preservation.
* **Warning Against Idolatry and Worldliness:** Sidon's historical role as a center of Baal and Asherah worship, and its corrupting influence on Israel (exemplified by Jezebel), serves as a potent biblical warning against syncretism and the allure of foreign religious practices and material wealth. The "gods of Sidon" are explicitly condemned, highlighting the exclusive nature of Yahweh's worship.
* **The Breadth of God's Compassion and Judgment:** Jesus's poignant comparison of unrepentant Israelite cities with Tyre and Sidon ([[Matthew 11:21-22]]) is deeply significant. It implies that even Gentile cities, notorious for their wickedness, might have responded to the Gospel had they received the same measure of miraculous revelation, underscoring the greater accountability of those who reject divine truth. This also subtly hints at the future inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan.
* **Historical and Geographical Anchors in Salvation History:** Sidon is not merely a static place name but a dynamic reference point in the unfolding narrative of God's interaction with humanity. From its mention in the Table of Nations, grounding the biblical narrative in ancient history, to its appearance in the journeys of the apostles, its consistent presence affirms the historicity and geographical rootedness of the biblical account of salvation.
### Summary
H6721, צִידוֹן (Tsîydôwn), denotes both an eponymous son of Canaan and, more prominently, the ancient Phoenician city-state of Sidon. Its etymology, rooted in "catching fish," aptly describes its maritime identity. Biblically, Sidon serves as a key geographical marker, representing a persistent unconquered territory for Israel, and embodies the strength, commercial prowess, and, critically, the idolatry of the Phoenician world. Prophetic oracles against Sidon underscore God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations and His righteous judgment against pride and wickedness. In the New Testament, Sidon continues as a geographical reference, notably in Jesus's lament over unrepentant cities, which subtly foreshadows the broader, inclusive scope of God's redemptive plan. Thus, the study of Tsîydôwn offers profound insights into ancient geopolitics, the perils of syncretism, and the universal reach of God's divine justice and grace throughout salvation history.
TRV