Zenan is a town mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Old Testament, within the context of the tribal allotments of the Promised Land. It is referenced in the Book of Joshua as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah. The name "Zenan" is thought to mean "pointed" or "coldness," though the exact etymology remains uncertain.

Biblical Reference:

Zenan is mentioned in Joshua 15:37, which lists the towns in the lowland region of Judah. The Berean Standard Bible renders this verse as follows:

"Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal-gad,"

This brief mention places Zenan among a series of towns that were allocated to the tribe of Judah, indicating its geographical and tribal significance during the period of the Israelite settlement in Canaan.

Geographical Context:

Zenan is located in the Shephelah, or the lowland region, which is characterized by its rolling hills and fertile valleys. This area served as a buffer zone between the coastal plains and the central highlands of Judah. The Shephelah was strategically important due to its agricultural potential and its role as a corridor for trade and military movements.

Historical and Archaeological Insights:

While Zenan is not extensively detailed in biblical narratives, its inclusion in the list of towns suggests it was a recognized settlement during the time of the conquest and division of Canaan. Archaeological evidence for Zenan is sparse, and its exact location remains a subject of scholarly debate. Some researchers propose that Zenan may correspond to the site of modern-day Khirbet Zenan or another nearby location, though definitive identification is lacking.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of Zenan, along with other towns in the tribal allotments, underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The division of the land among the tribes of Israel is a testament to God's faithfulness and the establishment of Israel as a nation in accordance with divine covenantal promises.

Cultural and Religious Context:

In the broader cultural and religious context of ancient Israel, towns like Zenan played a role in the daily life and religious practices of the Israelites. As part of the tribal inheritance, these towns were integral to the identity and cohesion of the tribe of Judah. They served as centers for agriculture, trade, and local governance, contributing to the socio-economic stability of the region.

Zenan, though briefly mentioned, is part of the intricate tapestry of biblical history, reflecting the complex interplay of geography, theology, and community life in ancient Israel.Zenan

coldness; target; weapon

Zenan

(pointed), a town in the allotment of Judah, situated in the district of the Shefelah. (Joshua 15:37) It is probably identical with ZAANAN. (Micah 1:11)

ZENAN

ze'-nan.

See ZAANAN.

2211. Zenas -- "Zeus-given," Zenas, a Christian lawyer
... Zenas, a Christian -- Zenas. see GREEK Zeus. see GREEK doron. (zenan) -- 1
Occurrence. 2210, 2211. Zenas. 2212 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2211.htm - 6k6799. Tsenan -- a place in the Shephelah of Judah
... 6798, 6799. Tsenan. 6800 . a place in the Shephelah of Judah. Transliteration:
Tsenan Phonetic Spelling: (tsen-awn') Short Definition: Zenan. ... Zenan. ...
/hebrew/6799.htm - 6k

And ii.
... Hence, we cannot suppose that Zaanan here is identical with Zenan, which is situated
in the south of Jerusalem, Joshua 15:37, nor Saphir with Samir. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Zenan (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ZENAN. ze'-nan. ...Zenan (1 Occurrence). Joshua
15:37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/z/zenan.htm - 6k

Zaanan (1 Occurrence)
... Place of flocks, mentioned only in Micah 1:11. It may be identified with Zenan,
in the plain country of Judah (Joshua 15:37). ... It is probably the same as ZENAN. ...
/z/zaanan.htm - 7k

Hadashah (1 Occurrence)
... HADASHAH. ha-da'-sha, had'-a-sha (chadhashah, "new"): A town in the Shephelah
of Judah, named with Zenan and Migdal-gad (Joshua 15:37). ...
/h/hadashah.htm - 7k

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

/z/zenas.htm - 10k

Zemi'rah (1 Occurrence)
Zemi'rah. Zemirah, Zemi'rah. Zenan . Multi-Version Concordance Zemi'rah (1
Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Zemirah, Zemi'rah. Zenan . Reference Bible.
/z/zemi'rah.htm - 6k

Migdal (3 Occurrences)
... of Migdal-Eder. (DBY JPS NIV). Joshua 15:37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Joshua 19:38 Iron ...
/m/migdal.htm - 7k

Mig'dal-gad (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mig'dal-gad (1 Occurrence). Joshua 15:37 Zenan, and Hadashah,
and Migdal-gad; (See RSV). Migdal-gad, Mig'dal-gad. Migdol . ...
/m/mig'dal-gad.htm - 6k

Migdal-gad (1 Occurrence)
... Migdal-gad (1 Occurrence). Joshua 15:37 Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdal-gad, (ASV
BBE DBY JPS YLT NAS). Migdalgad, Migdal-gad. Mig'dal-gad . Reference Bible
/m/migdal-gad.htm - 8k

Migdalgad (1 Occurrence)
... XVI. EWG Masterman. Multi-Version Concordance Migdalgad (1 Occurrence).
Joshua 15:37 Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad, (KJV WBS). ...
/m/migdalgad.htm - 8k

Hadash'ah (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hadash'ah (1 Occurrence). Joshua 15:37 Zenan, and Hadashah,
and Migdal-gad; (See RSV). Hadashah, Hadash'ah. Hadassah . ...
/h/hadash'ah.htm - 6k

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