Bible Dictionary
Zebedee
Zebedee was a Galilean fisherman and the father of the apostles James and John. He worked with his sons and had hired servants, indicating an established fishing business.
Definition
Zebedee was a Galilean fisherman, the husband of Salome, and the father of the apostles James and John. He worked with his sons in fishing and had hired servants, indicating an established business.
Biblical Usage
Zebedee appears when Jesus called James and John, who were mending nets in their boat. He is also mentioned in connection with Salome and the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion.
Historical Background
Zebedee probably lived at or near Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. The boats and hired servants associated with his household suggest that the family was in comfortable circumstances, though still engaged in manual labor.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A Galilean fisherman, the husband of Salome (q.v.), and the father of James and John, two of our Lord’s disciples (Matt. 4:21; 27:56; Mark 15:40). He seems to have been a man of some position in Capernaum, for he had two boats (Luke 5:4) and “hired servants” (Mark 1:20) of his own. No mention is made of him after the call of his two sons by Jesus.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(my gift) (Greek form of Zabdi) a fisherman of Galilee, the father of the apostles James the Great and John (Matthew 4:21) and the husband of Salome. (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40) He probably lived either at Bethsaida or in its immediate neighborhood. It has been inferred from the mention of his “hired servants,” (Mark 1:20) and from the acquaintance between the apostle John and Annas the high priest, (John 18:15) that the family of Zebedee were in easy circumstances. comp. (John 19:27) although not above manual labor. (Matthew 4:21) He appears only twice in the Gospel narrative, namely, in (Matthew 4:21,22; Mark 1:19,20) where he is seen in his boat with his two sons mending their nets.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>zeb'-e-de (zibhdi, "the gift of God"; Zebedaios): The father of the apostles James and John (Mr 1:19) and a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee (Mr 1:20), the husband of Salome (Mt 27:56; compare Mr 16:1).</p><p>See JAMES; SALOME.</p>