Zaanannim
1:
ZAANANNIM (PLACE) [Heb ṣa˓ănannı̂m (צַעֲנַנִּים)]. One of the place-names on the S border of Naphtali (Josh 19:33), and the site of the camping place of Heber the Kenite (Judg 4:11). The complete name of Zaanannim is “oak of Zaanannim” (Heb ˒ēlôn bĕṣa˓ănannı̂m), and so probably refers to a familiar local geographical feature rather than a town name. Parallels to this type of name are the Diviner’s Oak in Judg 9:37 and the well-known oak of Moreh in Gen 12:6 and Deut 11:30.
The site of Zaanannim has not been satisfactorily identified. Nor is it yet clear whether we are dealing with two sites or one; it seems more probable that this is one location. Abel (GP 2: 64, 312, 439) accepts them as one site and identifies Zaanannim as Khan et-Tujjar, a caravan station between Beth-shean and Damascus, four miles SE of Adam. This caravan station was part of the Via Maris, and located near Tell Abu Qedeis, which is to be identified with the Kedesh in Judg 4:11.
Aharoni (LBHG, 201) places Zaanannim on the border of Naphtali’s inheritance in the vicinity of the Jabneel valley, away from the battle zone in Judges 4, toward Hazor, whither Sisera fled. Kallai (HGB, 228–34) notes that the site is closely associated with Mount Tabor, and also places it near Tell Abu Qedeis, in proximity to Taanach and Megiddo. He also states that the Kedesh in Judg 4:11 is in no way related to the Kedesh-Naphtali in Judg 4:6, the home of Barak, the son of Abinoam.
Finally, Noth (Josua HAT) claimed that Josh 19:33 was a distorted description of Naphtali’s N border, but this view is not accepted by the majority of scholars.
It seems best, therefore, to identify Zaanannim as a well-known sacred tree near the S border of Naphtali, on the edge of the territory of Kedesh, in the vicinity of Mt. Tabor. A more exact location cannot be given.
Sidnie Ann White
Freedman, D. N. (1996, c1992). The Anchor Bible Dictionary (6:1029). New York: Doubleday.
2:
Zaanannim — =Zaanaim, (Josh. 19:33).
3:
ZAANANNIM One of the markers of the border of Naphtali listed between Heleph and Adami-nekeb (Jos 19:33). Judges 4:11 puts it near Kedesh. There Sisera took refuge in the tent of Heber the Kenite and was killed by Jael (vv 11–21). While the precise location is not known, it was west of Lake el-Huleh (modern Merom) in a region that was probably marshy in ancient times. Though the kjv translates the text as “plain of Zaanaim,” it is more likely “Oak of Zaanannim” (rsv, niv, nlt). Since many terebinth trees are located in the region, the text is probably referring to a terebinth set aside as a sacred tree.
Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). Tyndale Bible dictionary. Tyndale reference library (1318). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
4:
ZAANAN´NIM (za-a-naʹnim). “The oak in Zaanannim.” Probably a sacred tree marking the spot near which Heber the Kenite was encamped when Sisera took refuge in his tent (Judg. 4:11). It is said to be near Kedesh, NW of Lake Huleh. Probably the same tree mentioned in Josh. 19:33, it is identified with Khan et-Tujjar, about three miles NE of Mt. Tabor and about five miles W of the Sea of Galilee.
Unger, M. F., Harrison, R. K., Vos, H. F., Barber, C. J., & Unger, M. F. (1988). The new Unger's Bible dictionary. Revision of: Unger's Bible dictionary. 3rd ed. c1966. (Rev. and updated ed.). Chicago: Moody Press.
5:
ZAANANNIM, ZAANAIM (Heb. ṣa‘anannı̂m). On the S border of Naphtali, near Kedesh (Jos. 19:33); Heber the Kenite camped there (Jdg. 4:11; av, Keṯı̂ḇ ‘Zaanaim’); the place-name may have become Elon (‘Oak’)-in-Zaanannim, cf. G. F. Moore, ICC, 1903, and C. F. Burney, Judges, 1918, ad loc.
Khan et-Tuggar, 4 km NE of Tabor, preserves the name in its Arabic equivalent (‘traveller’). Khan Leggun near Tell abu Qedeis, 4 km N of Taanach, has been suggested as a more likely refuge for Sisera (Jdg. 4:17), but would have been the wrong side of the flooded Kishon. j.p.u.l.
Wood, D. R. W., Wood, D. R. W., & Marshall, I. H. (1996, c1982, c1962). New Bible Dictionary. Includes index. (electronic ed. of 3rd ed.) (1261). Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.
6:
Zaanannim (zay-ah-nahʹnim), a point on the southern border of Naphtali with Issachar (Josh. 19:33) where Heber the Kenite pitched his tent (Judg. 4:11) in which the Canaanite king Sisera was subsequently slain (Judg. 4:17-21). It was most likely modern Khan et-Tujjar some five miles west of the Sea of Galilee.
Achtemeier, P. J., Harper & Row, P., & Society of Biblical Literature. (1985). Harper's Bible dictionary. Includes index. (1st ed.) (1154). San Francisco: Harper & Row.
7:
Zaanannim (Heb. ṣa˓ănannɩ̂m)
A location on the southern border of Naphtali’s tribal inheritance (Josh. 19:33) and site of Heber the Kenite’s encampment (Judg. 4:11). The complete name is “oak of Zaanannim” (Heb. ˒ēlôn bĕṣa˓ănannɩ̂m), and likely refers to a familiar landmark rather than a town. The location of Zaanannim is unknown, and it is unclear whether both accounts refer to the same locale.
Kenneth Atkinson
Freedman, D. N., Myers, A. C., & Beck, A. B. (2000). Eerdmans dictionary of the Bible (1405). Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans.
