Question 103: Who were the Sidonians?

Answer:

These people were descendants of Sidoa, a son of Canaan and were formerly a part of the Phoenician nation (Matthew 15:21, 22; Mark 7:24, 26). They dwelt on the sea-coast in the cities of Zidon and Zarephath (Joshua 11:8; I Kings 17:9; Luke 4:26), and were governed by kings. In character they were careless, idolatrous, superstitious, wicked and un-penitent (Judges 18:7; I Kings 11:5; Jeremiah 27:3-9; Matthew 11:21, 22). Their business was commerce and of course they were skilful sailors (Isaiah 23:2; Ezekiel 27:8). They supplied the Jews with timber, who in turn supplied them with provisions (I Chronicles 22:4; Acts 12:20; Ezekiel 27:17). Although they were hostile and oppressive to YHVH's people, Solomon and Abijah intermarried with them and Israel followed the Sidonian idolatry (Judges 10:12; Ezekiel 28:22-24; I Kings 11:1, 16:31).