This name derives from the Hebrew “Zebadyâh / Zebadyâhû”, meaning “Yahweh has bestowed”. Zebedee, according to all four Canonical gospels, was the father of James and John, two disciples of Jesus. Zebedee was a fisherman, "probably of some means." Although named several times in the gospels, the only times he actually appears are in Matthew 4:21-22 and Mark 1:20, where he is left in the boat after Jesus called James and John. Mark notes that Zebedee was left with the "hired men". Zebedee lived at or near Bethsaida.
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