Interesting Facts

• Sidon is identified as the firstborn son of Canaan.
• The border of the Canaanites extended to the vicinity of Sidon.
• Zebulun’s border is prophesied to extend unto Zidon, indicating a geographical association.
• The children of Canaan, including Sidon’s lineage, built cities and named them after themselves.

Genealogy

• Sidon was the first son of Canaan.
• Canaan was a son of Ham.
• Ham was one of the three sons of Noah who survived the great flood.
• Therefore, Sidon was a grandson of Ham and a great-grandson of Noah.
• The sources do not specify any marital connections or offspring of Sidon directly. However, the Zidonites are considered his descendants and are identified as one of the families of the Canaanites.

Historical Context

Sidon and his descendants, the Zidonites, existed in the post-flood world, inheriting the legacy and the pronouncements made by Noah upon his sons. As descendants of Ham, they were associated with the southern lands and the expansion of peoples after the dispersal from the Tower of Babel. The early generations following the flood were characterized by the building of cities and the establishment of distinct familial and linguistic groups. The narrative suggests that the children of Ham, including the lineage of Canaan, actively engaged in building settlements within their allotted territories, often naming these new urban centers after their progenitors. The interactions and boundaries between these emerging groups, such as the Canaanites and the eventual descendants of Shem and Japheth, would have shaped the geopolitical landscape of the ancient world. The prophecy concerning Zebulun dwelling at the haven of the sea with his border unto Zidon indicates a later period where these tribal territories were becoming more defined.

Narrative

The narrative concerning Sidon as an individual is primarily found in genealogical listings, establishing him as the firstborn of Canaan. As such, he stands at the head of one of the key families within the broader Canaanite lineage. The actions and implications of Sidon’s existence are largely reflected through the activities of his descendants, the Zidonites, who are depicted as city builders within the land of Canaan. The mention of Sidon in the prophecy of Jacob concerning Zebulun suggests a lasting geographical and perhaps political significance of the city or region associated with his name in the later history of the Levant. The sources imply that the Zidonites, as part of the Canaanite nations, were distinct and occupied a coastal territory that would become relevant in the narratives concerning the children of Israel. However, the provided texts do not offer specific accounts of Sidon’s personal deeds or dialogues, focusing instead on his role as an ancestor of a significant Canaanite population.