Zebulun—at the haven of the Sea] The portion of this Tribe was neere to the River Jordan, in the fruitfull region of Galilee; extending in length from the Lake of Genesareth to the shore of the great Sea, which is nigh unto Mount Carmel; the breadth of it is about five miles from Mount Tabor extended toward the North; and the situation of Zebulun was commodious for commerce, for it did not only extend to the Sea, but bordered on such parts of it as afforded fit and safe havens, and harbours. So that when they of Zebulun went out to ship, they might be cheerfull in their sayling (though the Sea be fearfull to such as are faint-hearted) according to the blessing of Moses, Rejoyce Zebulun in thy going out, Deuteronomy 33:18. In this prediction of Jacob, if there were nothing else in it memorable, we have this to observe (as of that he foretelleth of some other Tribes touching their portion in the Land of Canaan) that it is evident Jacob here spake by the instinct of the Spirit; for this (which the whole world knows was fulfilled of Zebulun) fell not out in effect till about two hundred yeares after Jacobs decease; and then that portion was allotted to him, not by choyce, but by lot, for the Land of Canaan was divided by lot among the Tribes, Numbers 26:55,56. So that howsoever the division seemes casuall, it hapned none otherwise then the divine providence not only foresaw, but fore-ordained; and so it is in all the dwellings of men, For the earth is the Lords, and the fulnesse thereof, Psalms 24:1. and wheresoever he pleaseth to place any, they must be contented with their condition. And for this of the Tribe of Zebulun in particular, three things are especially observed of it; First, that there was situate the City of Nazareth where our Saviour was conceived, Luke 1. 26. and where for many yeares he was concealed, or obscured, living as one of common and ordinary quality, and (as is probably thought) exercising himself in the mechanicall occupation of his reputed father, a Carpenter, Mark 6. 3. Secondly, that here is Mount Tabor (as hath been noted) where he was gloriously transfigured, Matthew 17:2. Thirdly, here (that is, in the Land of Zebulun) by the way of the Sea, he began to preach, Matt. 4. 15, &c. for there it is probably conceived was most need of it; For first, the neighbouhood of the Sea maketh rich, and riches make men proud, and pride makes men many wayes very wicked. Secondly, where there is commerce by Sea, there is a confluence of severall Nations, who send not out the best, but the boldest for Sea-adventures, and they most commonly corrupt one another with the vices of each Country. Thirdly, having opportunity for piracle, and robbery, and a kind of exemption from ordinary justice, (which is resident upon the Land, not upon the Sea) Sea-faring-men are oftentimes not only lesse religious, but more unjust, and more oppressive then those that have their abode upon the Land; so that of such especially is verified that of the Prophet, Thou makest men as the fishes of the Sea, as the creeping things that have no ruler over them, Hebrews 1:14. There being as much disorder and oppression in the ships (especially of Pirats) as in the Seas among the fishes, under them. His border shall be unto Zidon] In setting down the limits of Zebuluns allotment, which is exactly done, Joshua 19. from verse 10. to the 16. there is no mention of Zidon, and in the topography Zidon hath nearer reference to the Tribe of Asher; it is therefore to be understood that Zebuluns border though it reached not to Zidon, yet the coasts of it were over against Zidon, and so situate as to be fit for easie and ordinary commerce with the Merchants of Zidon.