Bible Dictionary
Allon
Allon means “oak” or a large strong tree. It refers to a landmark near Zaanannim and also to a Simeonite ancestor of Ziza.
Definition
Allon means “oak” or a large, strong tree. It refers to a notable tree used as a landmark and to a Simeonite ancestor of Ziza.
Biblical Usage
The oak in Zaanannim marked a location in the territory of Naphtali. Allon, son of Jedaiah, appears in a Simeonite genealogy and was an ancestor of Ziza.
Historical Background
Because large trees were relatively uncommon on the plains of Palestine, prominent trees could serve as geographical landmarks. The location in Joshua is better understood as “the oak in Zaanannim” than as the name of a town.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Oak. (1.) The expression in the Authorized Version of Josh. 19:33, “from Allon to Zaanannim,” is more correctly rendered in the Revised Version, “from the oak in Zaanannim.” The word denotes some remarkable tree which stood near Zaanannim, and which served as a landmark. (2.) The son of Jedaiah, of the family of the Simeonites, who expelled the Hamites from the valley of Gedor (1 Chr. 4:37).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
a large strong tree of some description probably an oak. (an oak) a Simeonite, ancestor of Ziza, a prince of his tribe in the reign of Hezekiah (1 Chronicles 4:37) (B.C. 727.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>al'-on ('allon, "oak"):</p><p>(1) A town in the tribe of Naphtali in northern Palestine (Jos 19:33), according to the King James Version, which follows some Hebrew texts. It is better however to read with the Revised Version (British and American), "oak" ('elon), rather than as proper noun.</p><p>(2) A prominent descendant of the tribe of Simeon (1Ch 4:37).</p><p>(3) the Revised Version (British and American) for Allom of the King James Version in 1 Esdras 5:34 (which see).</p>