Home › Glossary › Letter Z

Zebulun

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The tenth son of Jacob and Leah in the Hebrew Bible, progenitor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, often associated with maritime trade.

Detailed Definition
Son of Leah, Zebulun’s name means “honor.” His tribe settled near the Sea of Galilee. In poetry, Zebulun represents maritime trade, the honor of supporting others (Issachar), and the integration of commerce and wisdom in Israel’s tribal harmony.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Genesis 49:13, Jacob blesses Zebulun as “dwelling by the shore”—a line used in maritime poetry about trade and blessing; Deuteronomy 33:18–19 depicts Zebulun’s territory as place of abundance and celebration; Contemporary minimalist poems list Zebulun among tribes to affirm Israel’s unity; In poems about vocation, Zebulun’s seafaring symbolizes engagement with the wider world; Some liturgical works include Zebulun in tribal blessings for provision and connection; Educational poems cite Zebulun to teach about inheritance and geography in ancient Israel.
Additional Notes
Zebulun, Jacob’s sixth son (by Leah) and founder of a northern Israelite tribe, is blessed in Genesis 49 as dwelling “by the seashore” and becoming a haven for ships; historically associated with trade routes, Zebulun symbolizes commerce and openness; poets may use Zebulun to explore movement, exchange, or the blessing of peripheral regions.
Also Known As
Zebulun son of Jacob Zebulun the Dwelling
Skip to main content