Zebulun – Third Tribe / Sivan - Third Month
As we begin Sivan, the third month in the Hebrew Festival calendar, we come to learn that the corresponding tribe is that of Zebulun which is named as the third tribe in the camping order of Numbers 2. The sages have discovered that the months of the Hebrew Festival calendar are connected to the tribal camping order and provide amazing insights into the uniqueness of each month and each tribe. Understanding these unique attributes and characteristics can and do greatly enhance our own personal relationship with HaShem**. Let’s find out and discover some of these unique and powerful characteristics and attributes for the month of Sivan and the tribe of Zebulun.
The Feast of Shavuot (aka Pentecost) is celebrated in the month of Sivan. This is a highly powerful and significant festival which we observe after counting 7 weeks plus one day from the Feast of First Fruits. To get to the heart of the attributes and characteristics of Zebulun, let us consider a point about why HaShem has placed Shavuot in this month.
​
Sages say that the tribe of Zebulun has a connection with the aquatic creature that the ancients used to make the blue dye for the tzitzits. They derive this understanding from the blessing that Moses gave the tribe before his death, when he spoke; “Of Zebulun He said, “Rejoice, Zebulun in your going forth… They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.” Deuteronomy 33:18-19.
​
If you check out the land allotments given out to the tribes, it’s interesting to note that Zebulun’s land does not include the ocean shores. Yet, the blessing provided by Moses (and the blessing given earlier by Jacob) upon this tribe include the sea, the sand, etc. Why is this? Well, again the sages say that the land which was allotted to Zebulun was rocky, mountainous and lacked the ability to grow crops. They say that Zebulun expressed dismay at their allotment. So, it was determined that this tribe would have the bounty of the seas as their provision. This included the aquatic creature from which the blue dye was created.
​
Let’s pause and ask a relevant question; what is the purpose of the blue thread in the tzitzits? It is to remind us about who we are and what we are to do (Numbers 15:38-41). That is exactly what Moses blessed Zebulun with in Deuteronomy 33:18-19. Zebulun is the tribe that is meant to cause Israel to remember it’s unique position as the nation showcasing HaShem’s lifestyle to the world (remember Moses’ blessing; ‘call the people unto the mountain [of HaShem]; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness:’). Zebulun and the blue dyed thread on the tzitzits share the same function and it is for this reason that the sages associated this tribe with the aquatic creatures that make that blue dye.
​
So, as asked earlier why did HaShem place Shavuot in this month of Sivan? Shavuot is a proclamation of one’s devotion to HaShem, it is a time to remember who we are and what our future holds. This festival is reflected in the blessing for Zebulun; “call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness:” HaShem is showing us that the attribute of Zebulun is how we can be properly prepared for this powerful festival.
​
Now we will discover what Zebulun’s attribute is that enabled this tribe to be given the honour of being the only tribe to harvest the aquatic creature for the blue thread. And we will also discover how does all this tie together with Shavuot? In Judges 5:18, the prophetess Deborah gives us insight into the attributes of this tribe. She states, “Zebulun is a people who jeopardized their lives to the point of death,” This is an accounting of the efforts of the men of Zebulun when the tribes went to battle Jabin, the king of Canann and conquer him. The men of Zebulun were willing to lay down their lives for the sake of the nation as a whole. That is what we do at the Feast of Shavuot. We proclaim that our aspirations in life (our man) are now dead and we are putting on the new man that is of HaShem (Ephesians 2:15; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). We jeopardize our lives to the point of death, just like Zebulun did. This Feast reminds us what we are committing to be in the household of HaShem.
​
HaShem has many reasons for placing the Feast of Shavuot in the month of Sivan. Having now discovered the characteristics and attributes of Zebulun this placement may well be a blessing attributed to them because of their example of life that so closely ties in with the meaning of Shavuot. And this may well explain why they are chosen as the third tribe in the tribal camping order of Numbers 2.
​
Zebulun and Sivan; a Godly combination of a Hebrew tribe and a Hebrew month to bring us to the state of remembrance of who we are, what we are doing and what we will do in the future. Chag Sameach Shavuot.
​
This is written only by the guidance of HaShem.
** for records sake the term HaShem (which means “The Name”) is used to recognize both Yeshua and God the Father.
​
​
Next: Reuben - Fourth Tribe / Tammuz - Fourth Month
​