Original Word: זְבוּל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: zbuwl
Pronunciation: zeh-BOOL
Phonetic Spelling: (ze-bool')
KJV: dwell in, dwelling, habitation
NASB: habitation, lofty, places
Word Origin: [from H2082 (זָבַל - dwell)]

1. a residence

dwell in, dwelling, habitation

Or zbul {zeb-ool'}; from zabal; a residence -- dwell in, dwelling, habitation.

see HEBREW zabal

Word Origin
from zabal
Definition
elevation, height, lofty abode
NASB Translation
habitation (2), lofty (2), places (1).

I. זְבֻל noun [masculine] elevation, height, lofty abode (Late Hebrew זְבוּל temple); — בָּנוֺ בָּנִיתִי בֵּית זְבֻל לָ֑ךְ 1 Kings 8:13 2Chronicles 6:2 (poetry; probably from book of Jashar, compare ᵐ5 We^{compare 271} Dr^{Intr. 182}; on בֵּיתזְֿבֻל = Assyrian bît zabal, lofty house compare COT 1 Kings 8:13 Dl^{Pr 62 f.}); לְבַלּוֺת שְׁאוֺל מִזְּבֻל לוֺ Psalm 49:15 text dubious; Ew Hi Ri Now read מַזְבּוּל (or מִזְבּוֺל, Ew) as noun = dwelling; Che proposes for מִזְּבֻל, ׳ ם ז[לְעוֺלָ] Che^{critical note}.; זְבֻל קָדְשְׁךָ Isaiah 63:15 ("" שָׁמַיִם) the high abode of thy holiness (compare Che^{critical note},); of the lofty abode of sun and moon: שֶׁמֶשׁ יָרֵחַ עָמַד זְבֻ֑לָה Habakkuk 3:11.

Overview

זְבוּל appears five times in the Old Testament, always pointing to an elevated or distinguished dwelling. Whether describing Solomon’s Temple, the celestial realm, or even the haunting chambers of Sheol, the term consistently highlights a domain of special significance—either glorious or foreboding—set apart from common space.

Occurrences and Contexts

• 1 Kings 8:13—At the dedication of the Temple Solomon declares, “I have indeed built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever”. Here זְבוּל underscores the Temple’s status as a uniquely exalted earthly residence for the LORD.
• 2 Chronicles 6:2—The Chronicler repeats Solomon’s proclamation, reinforcing the Temple theme for post-exilic readers longing for restored worship.
• Psalm 49:14—Contrasting the fate of the wicked, the psalmist warns, “Their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode”. זְבוּל ironically becomes a place of humiliation instead of glory, exposing the emptiness of worldly confidence.
• Isaiah 63:15—The prophet pleads, “Look down from heaven and see from Your holy and glorious habitation”. God’s זְבוּל in heaven is invoked as the seat of covenant faithfulness and compassion.
• Habakkuk 3:11—In a theophanic vision, “Sun and moon stood still in their lofty places”, portraying celestial bodies pausing in their זְבוּל before the majesty of God’s marching judgment.

Thematic Threads

1. Sacred Dwelling—In Kings and Chronicles the word elevates the Temple above all earthly structures. It affirms that God graciously condescends to inhabit a house built by human hands while never being confined to it (compare 1 Kings 8:27).
2. Divine Transcendence—Isaiah’s appeal locates God’s זְבוּל in the heavens, reminding Israel that the Holy One remains enthroned far above earthly turmoil yet remains responsive to covenantal cries.
3. Cosmic Order—Habakkuk’s usage connects זְבוּל with the heavenly bodies, suggesting all creation has a fixed, God-ordained station that yields to His sovereign intervention.
4. Moral Reversal—Psalm 49 reveals that the wicked may occupy impressive “lofty abodes” on earth, but true security is found only in fellowship with God. Their seeming elevation collapses under death’s shepherding.

Historical and Redemptive Significance

During Solomon’s reign the Temple embodied the fulfillment of promises made to David, standing as a tangible symbol of God’s presence among His people. Later prophets, viewing national apostasy and exile, looked beyond the earthly structure to the heavenly זְבוּל, encouraging faith in God’s unshakeable throne. The tension between the earthly and heavenly dwellings anticipates the New Testament revelation of “a building from God, an eternal house in heaven” (2 Corinthians 5:1), culminating in the incarnate Christ who “tabernacled among us” and in the eschatological New Jerusalem where “the dwelling place of God is with man” (Revelation 21:3).

Ministry Applications

• Worship—Understanding זְבוּל invites believers to approach corporate worship with reverence, recognizing that gathered saints form a living temple indwelt by the Spirit (1 Peter 2:5).
• Prayer—Isaiah’s plea encourages Christians to pray with confidence that the Lord, enthroned in His glorious habitation, hears and acts on behalf of His people.
• Stewardship—Psalm 49 warns against trusting in temporal “lofty abodes.” Ministry should cultivate eternal perspectives, urging generosity and detachment from material status.
• Mission—Habakkuk’s cosmic imagery fuels evangelistic urgency: the God whose glory halts sun and moon now commands the gospel to reach every nation before the final day.

Summary

זְבוּל functions as a literary bridge between heaven and earth, present glory and future hope, divine transcendence and immanent grace. Each occurrence enriches the biblical portrait of God’s dwelling—exalted, secure, and ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who makes His people the everlasting habitation of God.

זְבֻ֑לָה זְבֻ֖ל זבל זבלה מִזְּבֻ֥ל מזבל miz·zə·ḇul mizzəḇul mizzeVul zə·ḇu·lāh zə·ḇul zəḇul zəḇulāh zeVul zeVulahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts