📖 Biblical Definition
The ancient Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast north of Tyre, in modern Lebanon. Founded by Sidon, firstborn son of Canaan (Gen 10:15), Sidon was one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the ancient Near East. Its inhabitants were renowned for seamanship, purple-dye production, glass-making, and woodcraft (Solomon contracted Sidonian craftsmen and cedar for the temple, 1 Kgs 5:6). Sidon stood alongside Tyre as a center of Phoenician trade and Baal worship; both cities receive prophetic judgment oracles (Ezek 28:20-23; Isa 23). Christ visited the region of Tyre and Sidon, where the Syrophoenician woman's daughter was delivered (Mark 7:24-31), and He pronounces a striking statement: had the mighty works done in Chorazin and Bethsaida been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago (Matt 11:21-22). The judgment of those who saw the works and refused to repent is greater than the judgment of those who never saw them — a sobering pattern still in force.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Ancient Phoenician city, twin of Tyre.
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The Phoenician city older than Tyre, often coupled with it in Scripture; the home of the Syrophoenician woman whose daughter Jesus delivered, and a stop on Paul's prison journey to Rome.
📖 Key Scripture
Ezekiel 28:22 — "Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee."
Mark 7:31 — "And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee."
Acts 27:3 — "And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Reduced to a place-name; missing the gospel-reach into Gentile territory it represents.
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Jesus' visit to the region of Tyre and Sidon was a deliberate gospel-reach into Gentile soil. The Syrophoenician woman becomes a model of importunate faith. Sidon is not just a port — it is gospel-territory.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Tsidon — fishing.
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['Hebrew', 'H6721', 'Tsidon', 'Sidon']
['Greek', 'G4605', 'Sidōn', 'Sidon']
Usage
"The gospel reaches Sidon; the gospel reaches your city."
"Hold Sidon and Tyre together in prophetic memory."