Ζαβουλών (Zaboulōn)
Zaboulōn
Zebulun
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Zaboulōn refers to Zebulun, the tenth son of Jacob and the eponymous ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The term appears only three times in the New Testament, serving as a proper noun rather than a descriptive verb or adjective. Its presence in Scripture is limited but significant, anchoring the narrative in the historical lineage of Israel.
Lexical sources trace the word back to the Hebrew Zebulun, noting its origin in Genesis 30:20 where Leah gives birth to him. In the New Testament, the tribe’s name carries particular weight in Matthew 4:13 and 15, where it identifies the geographic region of Jesus’ ministry alongside Naphtali. This usage fulfills Old Testament prophecy regarding the land of Zebulun. The name also appears in Revelation 7:8, listing the tribe among those sealed from Israel.
The etymology of the name is often linked to the Hebrew root meaning "dwelling" or "honour," reflecting Leah’s hope that Jacob would dwell with her more. While the Greek form Zaboulōn does not convey this meaning directly to a Greek reader, its inclusion in Matthew highlights the fulfillment of prophecy concerning the northern tribes. The brevity of its New Testament usage underscores its role as a marker of identity and prophetic fulfillment rather than a theological concept.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Zebulun appears in the New Testament not as a theological concept, but as a marker of God’s faithfulness to history. In Matthew, Jesus moves from Nazareth to Capernaum in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This shift was not random; it fulfilled an ancient prophecy about bringing light to those living in darkness. For believers today, this reminds us that God works within specific places and times, turning ordinary geography into sites of divine revelation.
Later, in Revelation, Zebulun is listed among the twelve tribes sealed by God. This inclusion shows that the identity of Israel remains significant in God’s redemptive plan. Whether viewed through the lens of historical fulfillment or future hope, the name points to a God who remembers His promises. It invites us to trust that our own lives, like the tribe of Zebulun, are part of a larger, purposeful story written by the Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Zebulun3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ζαβουλὼν3×
Key Verses
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Matthew 4:13
Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
This verse marks Jesus’ deliberate move to Capernaum in the region of Zebulun, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy about light shining in Galilee.
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Matthew 4:15
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,
Here the text explicitly quotes the prophecy, linking the land of Zebulun and Naphtali to the coming ministry of the Messiah among the Gentiles.
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Revelation of John 7:8
of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, and of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
Zebulun is named among the sealed tribes, showing that the historical lineage of Israel retains its place in God’s final salvation plan.