The Tribe of Zebulon in Rabbinical Thought as Collated and Explained by Rabbi Fishel Mael
Fishel Mael author of "Sefer Shivtei Yisroel" made the following observations concerning Zebulon that we feel may be pertinent to Brit-Am studies.
Rabbi Fishel Mael generally relies on Classical accepted Rabbinical sources.
Zebulon helped support Issachar who learnt Torah.
Zebulon was also associated with the Tribe of Naphtali.
Dues to his responsibilities and the uncertainty of his livelihood Zebulon may at times be tense and irritable.
Nevertheless, the inner essence of Zebulon is calm and at ease.
The banner of Zebulon depoicted a ship and according to one opinion also a house (alongside the ship).
Jonah the Prophet came from Zebulon.
The name Jonah in Hebrew is "Yonah." It means "dove."
Zebulon would sail to distant lands and bring the message of the Almighty with him.
The name "Zebulon" indicates a connection to the Temple.
After Solomon finished building the Temple he said:
1-Kings 8:
13 I have surely built You an exalted house,
And a place for You to dwell in forever.
The expression "an exalted house" in Hebrew is "Bayit Zevul" literally a "House of Assured (or Fertile) Dwelling." The word root "Zevul" connotes Assured or Fertile Dwelling. This is the same word root used in the name of Zebulon.
In Hebrew the name "Zebulon" is pronounced as "Zevulon."
The religiosity of Zebulon expresses itself more through piety rather than intense learning. This is unlike Issachar.
Genesis (ESV) 33:
18 And of Zebulun he said,
Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out,
and Issachar, in your tents.
19 They shall call peoples to their mountain;
there they offer right sacrifices;
for they draw from the abundance of the seas
and the hidden treasures of the sand.
Note how Issachar is here spoken of as if he was part of Zebulon.
The expression above "the hidden treasures" in Hebrew is 'safuni tamuni' both words connoting "hidden." The Commendatory of Abarbanel associates the word "safuni" with the Hebrew word "safinah" meaning 'ship.
Zebulon would bring treasures in his ships.
Genesis 49:13
Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.
Yonah the Prophet is linked with the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and with the Feast of Succot and Abraham the Patriarch.