Zibeon is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the genealogies and narratives concerning the descendants of Esau and the Horites. He is recognized as a Horite chief and is associated with the land of Seir, which is located in the region of Edom. The name "Zibeon" is believed to mean "hyena" or "colored," reflecting the ancient practice of naming individuals after animals or characteristics.

Genealogy and Family

Zibeon is introduced in the genealogical records of Genesis. He is identified as a son of Seir the Horite, making him a member of the indigenous people who inhabited the land of Seir before the Edomites. In Genesis 36:20-21 , it is recorded: "These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These are the chiefs of the Horites, the sons of Seir, in the land of Edom."

Zibeon had two children, Aiah and Anah, as noted in Genesis 36:24 : "These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is the Anah who discovered the hot springs in the wilderness while he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon." This passage highlights Anah's discovery, which is a notable event in the narrative, suggesting the importance of Zibeon's lineage in the context of the Horite chiefs.

Role and Significance

Zibeon is listed among the chiefs of the Horites, indicating his status and leadership within his community. The Horites were a group of people who lived in the mountainous region of Seir, and they were eventually assimilated by the descendants of Esau, who intermarried with them and took over their territory. The integration of the Horites into the Edomite lineage is a significant aspect of the biblical narrative, as it demonstrates the complex relationships and interactions between different groups in the ancient Near East.

The mention of Zibeon and his descendants in the genealogies serves to establish the historical and familial context of the Edomites, who are frequently mentioned in the Bible as relatives and sometimes adversaries of the Israelites. The genealogical records in Genesis 36 provide insight into the interconnectedness of various tribes and families, illustrating the broader narrative of God's unfolding plan through the descendants of Abraham.

Cultural and Historical Context

The Horites, including Zibeon, are part of the larger narrative of the patriarchal period, which is characterized by the movement and settlement of various tribes in the ancient Near East. The land of Seir, where Zibeon and his family resided, is a mountainous region that later became synonymous with Edom, the nation descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. The integration of the Horites into the Edomite lineage reflects the dynamic and often complex relationships between neighboring peoples during this period.

Zibeon's mention in the Bible, though brief, contributes to the understanding of the genealogical and territorial developments that shaped the history of the region. His role as a chief among the Horites underscores the significance of leadership and familial ties in the ancient world, as well as the enduring impact of these early figures on the biblical narrative and the history of the Israelites and their neighbors.Zibeon

iniquity that dwells

Zibeon

(robber), father of Anah, whose daughter Aholibamah was Esau's wife. (Genesis 36:2) (B.C. 1797.) Although called a Hivite, he is probably the same as Zibeon the son of Seir the Horite. (Genesis 36:20,24,29; 1 Chronicles 1:38,40)

Robber; or dyed.

(1.) A Hivite (Genesis 36:2).

(2.) A Horite, and son of Seir (Genesis 36:20).

ZIBEON

zib'-e-on (tsibh`on, "hyena"; HPN, 95; Sebegon): A Horite chief (Genesis 36:2, 14, 20, 24, 29 1 Chronicles 1:38, 40); he is called the "Hivite" in Genesis 36:2 where "Horite" should be read with 36:20, 29. In Genesis 36:2, 14 Anah is said to be "the daughter of Zibeon," whereas the Septuagint, the Samaritan Pentateuch, the Syriac, and Lucian have "the son of Zibeon"; compare 1 Chronicles 1:38, 40, where also Anah is Zibeon's son.

6649. Tsibon -- "hyena," a Horite
... 6648, 6649. Tsibon. 6650 . "hyena," a Horite. Transliteration: Tsibon Phonetic
Spelling: (tsib-one') Short Definition: Zibeon. ... Zibeon. ...
/hebrew/6649.htm - 6k

Chapter xxxvi
... Esau married women who were Canaanites: Adah, the daughter of Elon, the Hittite,
and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah, the granddaughter of Zibeon, the Hivite ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

Canaan
... Esau is said in one of them to have married the granddaughter of "Zibeon the Hivite,"
while in the other we read of "the Hivite" who dwelt under Mount Hermon. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

Zibeon (7 Occurrences)
... Robber; or dyed. (1.) A Hivite (Genesis 36:2). (2.) A Horite, and son of Seir
(Genesis 36:20). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ZIBEON. ...
/z/zibeon.htm - 9k

Anah (10 Occurrences)
... (2.) One of the two sons of Zibeon the Horite, and father of Esau's wife Aholibamah
(Genesis 36:18, 24). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ANAH. ...
/a/anah.htm - 13k

Zib'eon (7 Occurrences)
... Zibeon, Zib'eon. Zibia . ... Genesis 36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite,
the inhabitants of the land: Lotan and Shobal and Zibeon and Anah, (See RSV). ...
/z/zib'eon.htm - 8k

Shobal (9 Occurrences)
... sho'-bal (shobhal, "overflowing"; Sobal, with variants): (1) An Edomite name mentioned
in connection with Lotan, Zibeon and Anah, as that of a "son" of Seir ...
/s/shobal.htm - 10k

Aiah (7 Occurrences)
... a'-ya ('ayyah, "falcon"; once in the King James Version Ajah, Genesis 36:24): (1)
A Horite, son of Zibeon, and brother of Anah, who was father of one of Esau's ...
/a/aiah.htm - 9k

Lotan (5 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land:
Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/lotan.htm - 8k

Ajah (2 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:24 And these are the children of Zibeon; both Ajah, and Anah: this was
that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of ...
/a/ajah.htm - 7k

Oholiba'mah (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the
Hittite, and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite ...
/o/oholiba'mah.htm - 8k

Oholibamah (7 Occurrences)
... took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon, the Hittite;
and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, the Hivite ...
/o/oholibamah.htm - 9k

Granddaughter (5 Occurrences)
... took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon, the Hittite;
and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, the Hivite ...
/g/granddaughter.htm - 8k

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