Zedad
Zedad is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Syria in modern-day Syria. Known today as Sadad. It appears across 2 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Zedad is mentioned twice in the Old Testament, both times in the context of the ideal northern boundary of the promised land. In Numbers 34:8, it appears as a landmark in the description of Israel's northern border as Canaan was being apportioned before the conquest. The same northern boundary is revisited in Ezekiel 47:15, where the prophet's visionary description of a restored and ideal Israel again uses Zedad as a reference point for the northern extent of the land. These twin appearances reveal the way in which certain geographical landmarks served as boundary markers that defined the ideal scope of Israelite territory. Zedad's location in what is now central Syria, associated with modern Sadad, places it well to the north of the territory Israel actually controlled at most points in its history, suggesting that the boundary descriptions in Numbers and Ezekiel reflect an ideal or maximal vision of the promised land rather than actual political borders. Ezekiel's use of Zedad in his eschatological vision gave the location a lasting theological resonance as a marker of the fully restored inheritance of God's people.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Zedad is generally identified with modern Sadad, a Syrian town in the Homs Governorate, situated on the eastern slopes of the Anti-Lebanon range between Damascus and Homs. The site lies along an important ancient road network connecting the Syrian interior with the Lebanese coast. Sadad has a long history of settlement, with remains attested from various periods, and local traditions preserve the ancient name in recognizable form. The town sits in a semi-arid zone that has supported pastoralism and limited agriculture throughout history. While no systematic excavation has targeted ancient Zedad at this location, the site's name continuity and geographical position make the identification one of the more secure among Syria's biblical place names.
Verse Appearances (2)
Num
Ezek
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →