Zaanan

Zaanan, a town mentioned in Micah's prophecy, possibly located in the Shephelah region of Judah (Mic 1:11).

Zaanan is a town mentioned only once in the Bible, in Micah 1:11, as part of a series of judgments pronounced against various cities and towns in Judah. The prophet Micah declares, "Pass by in naked shame, you inhabitant of Shaphir; the inhabitant of Zaanan does not go out. Beth Ezel mourns; its place to stand is taken away from you." The exact location of Zaanan is uncertain, but based on the context of Micah's prophecy, it was likely situated in the Shephelah, the lowland region between the coastal plain and the Judean hills. The name "Zaanan" is derived from the Hebrew word meaning "to go out" or "to come forth," which may be a wordplay on the town's failure to come to the aid of its neighbors during a time of crisis. Micah's prophecy against Zaanan and the other towns in the region underscores the judgment and consequences that would come upon Judah for their unfaithfulness to God and their lack of justice and righteousness.

Place of flocks, mentioned only in Micah 1:11. It may be identified with Zenan, in the plain country of Judah (Josh. 15:37).