Boy Old & New Testament Known
Zebulun
Zebulon, dwelling; habitation
זְבוּלֻן Ζαβουλών ze.vu.lun
Zebulun (Hebrew: זְבוּלֻן, ze.vu.lun) means “Zebulon, dwelling; habitation”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 48 verses across 13 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 23 children in the United States. Use is rising. Appears with Asher in 2 Chronicles 30.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Zebulun
son of Jacob; father of Elon; father of Sered
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 48 across 13 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Both
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 23 | Rising |
| All-time total | 894 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 30 in 1979 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | MO | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 30:20 |
| Last appears | Revelation 7:8 |
| Cross-references | 490 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Naphtali co-occurrence Appears with Naphtali in Judges 4.
- Helon co-occurrence Appears with Helon in Numbers 2.
- Eliab co-occurrence Appears with Eliab in Numbers 2.
- Issachar co-occurrence Appears with Issachar in Ezekiel 48.
- Elon co-occurrence Appears with Elon in Judges 12.
- Asher co-occurrence Appears with Asher in 2 Chronicles 30.
- Jahleel co-occurrence Appears with Jahleel in Genesis 46.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Zebulun living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.20;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812);
brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485) and Dinah (H1783);
half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);
father of: Sered (H5624), Elon (H0356H) and Jahleel (H3177)
§ Zebulun = "exalted"
1) the 10th of the sons of Jacob, 6th and last of Leah; progenitor of Zebulun
2) the tribe descended from Zebulun
3) the land allocated to the tribe of Zebulun
Zebulun was the tenth son of Jacob, the sixth and last of Leah, and his descendants formed one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The biblical story
Zebulun was the tenth son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and the sixth and last son of Leah. He was born in Paddan-aram, and his name is derived from the Hebrew word meaning "honor" or "dwelling." The tribe of Zebulun played a significant role in Israel's history, being one of the twelve tribes that settled in the Promised Land. During the wilderness wanderings, the tribe of Zebulun was led by Eliab, son of Helon, and was positioned with the tribes of Judah and Issachar on the east side of the tabernacle. In the census taken in the wilderness, the tribe of Zebulun numbered 57,400 men of fighting age.
The territory allotted to Zebulun was in the northern part of Canaan, bordered by Asher, Naphtali, and Issachar. It included the fertile plain of Jezreel and the coastal region along the Mediterranean Sea. The tribe of Zebulun was commended for their bravery and willingness to fight, as evidenced by their participation in the battles against Sisera and the Midianites. They were also known for their maritime skills and engaged in trade and commerce.
Notable members of the tribe of Zebulun include Elon, who judged Israel for ten years, and Ibzan of Bethlehem, who was buried in the territory of Zebulun. The prophet Jonah also hailed from Gath-hepher, a town within Zebulun's borders.
In the future distribution of the land described by Ezekiel, Zebulun is allocated a portion in the far north of Israel, with its boundaries stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River. The tribe of Zebulun is also mentioned in the book of Revelation as one of the twelve tribes sealed by God.
Key verses
Zebulun appears in 48 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.
Genesis 30:20 -
The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
Genesis 35:23 -
And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.
Genesis 46:14 -
Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.
Genesis 49:13 -
Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,
Exodus 1:3
Show all 48 references
Genesis (4)
- Genesis 30:20
- Genesis 35:23
- Genesis 46:14
- Genesis 49:13
Exodus (1)
- Exodus 1:3
Numbers (10)
- Numbers 1:9
- Numbers 1:30
- Numbers 1:31
- Numbers 2:7
- Numbers 7:24
- Numbers 10:16
- Numbers 13:10
- Numbers 26:26
- Numbers 26:27
- Numbers 34:25
Deuteronomy (2)
- Deuteronomy 27:13
- Deuteronomy 33:18
Joshua (6)
- Joshua 19:10
- Joshua 19:16
- Joshua 19:27
- Joshua 19:34
- Joshua 21:7
- Joshua 21:34
Judges (8)
- Judges 1:30
- Judges 4:6
- Judges 4:10
- Judges 5:14
- Judges 5:18
- Judges 6:35
- Judges 12:11
- Judges 12:12
1 Chronicles (6)
- 1 Chronicles 2:1
- 1 Chronicles 6:63
- 1 Chronicles 6:77
- 1 Chronicles 12:33
- 1 Chronicles 12:40
- 1 Chronicles 27:19
2 Chronicles (3)
- 2 Chronicles 30:10
- 2 Chronicles 30:11
- 2 Chronicles 30:18
Psalms (1)
- Psalms 68:27
Isaiah (1)
- Isaiah 9:1
Ezekiel (3)
- Ezekiel 48:26
- Ezekiel 48:27
- Ezekiel 48:33
Matthew (2)
- Matthew 4:13
- Matthew 4:15
Revelation (1)
- Revelation 7:8