Zabulon The portion of the land given to the tribe of Zebulon. It extended from the shore of the Lake of Gennesaret nearly to the Mediterranean. It is associated with Nephthalim, Matt. 4:13 is taken to mean that the light would shine beyond Jordan, which it did when the Lord crossed the Lake, and not that Nephthalim was situated beyond the Jordan: (see Isa. 9:1-2).) which joined it on the north (both being in Galilee), as seeing a great light, fulfilled by the Lord dwelling in the neighborhood, visiting their synagogues, working miracles, and teaching the people. Matt. 4:13,15.
Zacchaeus A chief among the tax-gatherers, who, greatly desiring to see the Lord, climbed into a tree. When called from the tree he was surprised and delighted by the visit of Jesus. The people called him “a sinner,” but he began to justify himself by relating his good deeds; the Lord, however, declared that salvation had come that day to his house, for the Son of Man had come to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:2,5,8.
Zachariah [whom] (the Lord remembered), reigned six months over Israel. This king sinned liked his fathers. He was conspired against by Shallum, and publicly slain in the presence of the people, and in his death, the house of Jehu became extinct. 2 Kings 15.
Zacharias
1. Father of John the Baptist, a priest of the course of Abia, 1 Chron. 24:10. When told that he should have a son, he was unbelieving, though he had prayed for one, and was dumb till John was circumcised, when his tongue was loosed and he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and praised God and prophesied. Luke 1:5-67.
2. Son of Barachias, who was slain between the temple and the altar. Matt. 23:35; Luke 11:51. Most probably the same as Zechariah, son of Jehoiada (for the Jews often had two names), 2 Chron. 24:20-2), who was the last, as Abel was the first, righteous man recorded as murdered in the Old Testament.
Zealots We read of Simon Zelotes in Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13. Josephus often mentions Zealots in his history of the Jewish wars, who became very much like the Sicarii, and were leaders in the defence of Jerusalem at its destruction. Whether Simon the apostle had formerly any connection with these is unknown. He is called “the Canaanite” in Matthew 10:4; but this is said to be Hebrew for Zealot.
Zebedee The father of the apostles James and John, and perhaps the husband of Salome, Matt. 4:21. See Matt. 27:56 and Mark 15:40.
Zedekiah righteousness of the Lord. He reigned eleven years over Judah. The third son of the godly Josiah, and last king of Judah, who perfidiously broke his oath to Nebuchadnezzar, and hardened himself against the faithful ministry of Jeremiah the prophet; he was carried captive to Babylon where he died. 2 Chron. 36.
Zerubbabel sown, i.e. begotten in Babylon. Christ building up the glory in millennial times; completing it amidst shoutings of “grace.” Name occurs about 22 Times, and only in the Old Testament. Zech. 4:6-10.
Zimri my song. He reigned seven days over Israel. A kingdom founded on treason and murder, cannot possibly stand. This wicked king employed the one week of his brief reign in utterly destroying the wicked house of Baasha, and then in despair, burned the king’s house and himself along with it. 1 Kings 16.
Zipporah bird. Gentile wife of the Lord during His absence from Israel. Name occurs three times, and only in the book of Exodus. Ex. 2.