THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
In the end, she proclaims, I will show kindness to my husband, for I have given birth to six sons. Thus, she named her son Zebulun.
Genesis 30:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And said: God hath endowed me with a good dowry; this turn also my husband will be with me, because I have borne him six sons: and therefore she called his name Zabulon.
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר לֵאָ֗ה זְבָדַ֨נִי אֱלֹהִ֥ים ׀ אֹתִי֮ זֵ֣בֶד טוֹב֒ הַפַּ֙עַם֙ יִזְבְּלֵ֣נִי אִישִׁ֔י כִּֽי־יָלַ֥דְתִּי ל֖וֹ שִׁשָּׁ֣ה בָנִ֑ים וַתִּקְרָ֥א אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ זְבֻלֽוּן׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Cyrill of Alexandria
After Leah received the mandrakes, she gave birth to two sons, Issachar and Zebulun. The name Issachar signifies 'reward,' while Zebulun means 'good path' and 'blessing.' It is undeniable that those justified through Christ will inevitably experience blessing. We are sanctified by the Spirit. The blessed King David proclaims, "The blessing of the Lord is upon you; we bless you in the name of the Lord!" (Psalm 128:8). Additionally, the Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah to the mother of believers, referring to the Church: "I will pour out My spirit upon your offspring and My blessing upon your descendants" (Isaiah 44:3).
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Consequently, the esteemed Apostle Paul writes to those who are justified by faith, stating, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing" (Eph. 1:3). Those who have abundantly received blessings from above—how could they not be directed along the good path in every virtuous deed? It is said, "The path of the righteous is straight; You will make level the way of the righteous, in the way of Your judgments" (Isaiah 26:7-8). Regarding the Jewish synagogue, the Lord declared, "I will block her way... and she shall not find her paths" (Hosea 2:6). Yet, inviting us into the highest dwelling places through a clear and accessible route, He instructs His holy ministers: "Open the gates; let the righteous enter, those who keep the truth" (Isaiah 26:2). Furthermore, He commands, "Level, smooth the way, remove the stones, raise up a banner for the nations!" (Isaiah 62:10), so that when they encounter temptations along the way, they will not be hindered in their good efforts.
Jerome of Stridon
Leah proclaimed, "God has granted me a wonderful blessing. Now my husband will reside with me, for I have given him six sons." She named her son Zebulun. While we interpret this as "with me shall reside," the Seventy have rendered it as "shall love me," and the Hebrew text presents the term jezbuleni (יִזְבְּלֵ֣נִי). The implication is that having borne six sons for Jacob satisfies me entirely, for now my husband will dwell with me. Thus, my son is also named ‘dwelling’. Consequently, the Book of Names mistakenly translates Zebulon as "night expiration."
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The verb זְבְּלֵ֣ is a hapax legomenon. Its meaning is commonly derived from the homonymous noun יִבְּלֵ֣, which translates to ‘dwelling’ or ‘lofty dwelling’ (1 Samuel 8:13, Psalm 49:14; Habakkuk 3:11; Isaiah 63:15). Thus, the verb can signify ‘to dwell’ or ‘to exalt.’
Nilus of Sinai
You are interested in understanding the meanings behind the names of the patriarchs. I will share these interpretations with you. Zebulun signifies the night of salvation.
Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)
A magnificent blessing. Similar to a fresh thread woven into the restoration of a marital bond strained by conflict. From this point forward, my husband will abide with me. This means he will engage with me more frequently than with Rachel (Genesis 30:15). Zebulon signifies companionship.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Gen 35:23The sons of Lia: Ruben the first born, and Simeon, and Levi, and Juda, and Issachar, and Zabulon.
- Matt 4:13And leaving the city Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capharnaum on the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and of Nephthalim;
- Gen 49:13Zabulon shall dwell on the seashore, and in the road of ships, reaching as far as Sidon.
- Judg 4:10And he called unto him Zabulon and Nephthali, and went up with ten thousand fighting men, having Debbora in his company.
- Judg 5:14Out of Ephraim he destroyed them into Amalec, and after him out of Benjamin into thy people, O Amalec: Out of Machir there came down princes, and out of Zabulon they that led the army to fight.
- Ps 68 (67):27
- Gen 46:14The sons of Zabulon: Sared, and Elon, and Jahelel.
- Gen 29:34And she conceived the third time, and bore another son, and said: Now also my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons: and therefore she called his name Levi.