Zebulun
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Gen. 30:19, 20) (dwelling place, abode) — sixth and last son of Jacob by Leah, who named him thus at his birth, saying, “Now will my husband dwell with me.” He had three sons (Gen. 46:14). The inheritance of his descendants in the Promised Land was prophetically foretold by his father in these words: “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” (Gen. 49:13). Indeed, part of the coast afterward belonged to Zebulun, and he possessed a harbor.
The prophet Moses, in blessing the sons of Israel, said of Zebulun: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents. They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand” (Deut. 33:18–19). These prophecies were fulfilled in the days of Joshua. Zebulun took the best part of the land in the north of Palestine (Josh. 19:10, 16).