The Sidonians were the inhabitants of the ancient city of Sidon, one of the principal cities of Phoenicia, located on the Mediterranean coast in what is now modern-day Lebanon. Sidon, along with its sister city Tyre, was renowned for its maritime prowess, trade, and craftsmanship, particularly in the production of purple dye and glassware. The Sidonians are frequently mentioned in the Bible, often in the context of their interactions with the Israelites and their influence on the religious practices of the region.

Historical and Cultural Context

Sidon was one of the oldest and most significant cities of the Phoenician civilization, which thrived from around 1500 to 300 BC. The Phoenicians were known for their seafaring skills and established trade networks across the Mediterranean. Sidon, as a leading city, played a crucial role in these commercial activities. The Sidonians were skilled artisans, particularly noted for their work with glass and the production of the famous Tyrian purple dye, which was highly prized in the ancient world.

Biblical References

The Sidonians are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Old Testament. In the Book of Judges, they are noted as one of the peoples whom the Israelites failed to drive out of the Promised Land, leading to their continued presence and influence in the region (Judges 3:3). The Sidonians are also associated with the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth, deities that were often in opposition to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

In 1 Kings 11:1-5, King Solomon's marriages to foreign women, including Sidonian women, are highlighted as leading him astray to worship other gods: "King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women... For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been" .

The influence of Sidonian religion is further exemplified in the account of Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, who married King Ahab of Israel. Jezebel is infamous for promoting the worship of Baal in Israel and persecuting the prophets of Yahweh (1 Kings 16:31-33).

Prophetic Writings

The prophets often spoke against the Sidonians, condemning their idolatry and predicting their downfall. In Ezekiel 28:21-23, the Lord declares judgment against Sidon: "Son of man, set your face against Sidon; prophesy against her and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Behold, I am against you, O Sidon, and I will gain glory within you. They will know that I am the LORD when I execute judgments against her and demonstrate My holiness through her'" .

New Testament Mentions

In the New Testament, Sidon is mentioned in the context of Jesus' ministry. Jesus visited the region of Tyre and Sidon, where He performed miracles and healed the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24-30). This interaction highlights the reach of Jesus' ministry beyond the Jewish population to the Gentiles, including the Sidonians.

Legacy

The Sidonians, as part of the broader Phoenician culture, left a lasting impact on the ancient world through their contributions to trade, art, and the spread of the alphabet. Despite their frequent portrayal as adversaries of Israel in the biblical narrative, their interactions with the Israelites and other neighboring cultures played a significant role in the historical and religious development of the region.Sido'nians (11 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy 3:9
which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir--
(See RSV)

Joshua 13:4
From the south, all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah, which 'is' to the Sidonians, unto Aphek, unto the border of the Amorite;
(See RSV)

Joshua 13:6
all the inhabitants of the hill-country, from Lebanon unto Misrephoth-Maim, all the Sidonians: I -- I dispossess them before the sons of Israel; only, cause it to fall to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.
(See RSV)

Judges 3:3
These are the nations: the five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sido'nians, and the Hivites who dwelt on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Ba'al-her'mon as far as the entrance of Hamath.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 10:12
The Sido'nians also, and the Amal'ekites, and the Ma'onites, oppressed you; and you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.
(DBY RSV)

1 Kings 11:5
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 11:33
because that they have forsaken me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon. They have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and my ordinances, as David his father did.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 16:31
It happened, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshiped him.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 23:13
And the high places before Jerusalem, on the south side of the mountain of destruction, which Solomon, king of Israel, had made for Ashtoreth, the disgusting god of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh, the disgusting god of Moab, and for Milcom, the disgusting god of the children of Ammon, the king made unclean.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 22:4
and cedar trees without number: for the Sidonians and they of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David.
(See RSV)

Ezra 3:7
They gave money also to the masons, and to the carpenters; and food, and drink, and oil, to them of Sidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
(See RSV)

Sido'nians (11 Occurrences)
Sido'nians. Sidonians, Sido'nians. Siege . Multi-Version Concordance
Sido'nians (11 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 3:9 which Hermon the ...
/s/sido'nians.htm - 9k

Unsuspecting (9 Occurrences)
... 7 Then the five men departed, and came to La'ish, and saw the people who were there,
how they dwelt in security, after the manner of the Sido'nians, quiet and ...
/u/unsuspecting.htm - 9k

Sidonians (16 Occurrences)

/s/sidonians.htm - 12k

Ma'onites (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 10:12 The Sido'nians also, and the Amal'ekites, and the Ma'onites, oppressed
you; and you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. (DBY RSV). ...
/m/ma'onites.htm - 6k

Ba'al-her'mon (2 Occurrences)
... Judges 3:3 These are the nations: the five lords of the Philistines, and all the
Canaanites, and the Sido'nians, and the Hivites who dwelt on Mount Lebanon ...
/b/ba'al-her'mon.htm - 7k

Amal'ekites (24 Occurrences)
... (DBY RSV). Judges 10:12 The Sido'nians also, and the Amal'ekites, and the Ma'onites,
oppressed you; and you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. ...
/a/amal'ekites.htm - 13k

Oppressed (81 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:12 The Sido'nians also, and the Amal'ekites, and the Ma'onites, oppressed
you; and you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. ...
/o/oppressed.htm - 31k

Siege (63 Occurrences)

/s/siege.htm - 51k

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