Ibzan אִבְצָן
A judge of Israel from Bethlehem.
Who is Ibzan in the Bible?
Ibzan was a judge of Israel from Bethlehem who led the nation for seven years, as recorded in Judges 12:8-10. He is notable for his large family of thirty sons and thirty daughters, whom he strategically married off to people from outside his community, suggesting he was a man of considerable wealth and influence. The text notes that his children rode on seventy donkeys, which further emphasizes his prosperity and high status in ancient Israelite society. Little else is recorded about his judgeship or specific accomplishments, but his prominence lies in his role as one of the judges who governed Israel during the period after Jephthah, representing the extended leadership structure God provided for His people during that era.
Biography
Ibzan is mentioned in Jdg.12.8-10 as one of the judges who led Israel after the time of Jephthah. He was from Bethlehem, although it is not specified whether this refers to Bethlehem in Judah or another Bethlehem.
Ibzan judged Israel for seven years. The text mentions that he had thirty sons and thirty daughters. It also states that he sent his daughters abroad in marriage and brought in thirty young women from outside for his sons. This suggests that Ibzan was a man of influence and means, as he was able to arrange marriages for his many children.
The mention of Ibzan's thirty sons and thirty daughters riding on seventy donkeys (Jdg.12.14) further emphasizes his wealth and status, as donkeys were a sign of prosperity and importance in ancient times.
After leading Israel for seven years, Ibzan died and was buried in his hometown of Bethlehem. The brief account of his life and leadership highlights the period of the judges, during which Israel was led by various individuals who delivered the nation from oppression and provided guidance and governance.
Ibzan's story also illustrates the importance of family and marriage alliances in ancient Israelite society, as well as the significance of the number seven, which often represents completeness or perfection in the Bible.
In Scripture
1 biblical bookJudges 2 verses
- Judges 12:8
"After Jephthah, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel."
- Judges 12:10
"Then Ibzan died, and he was buried in Bethlehem."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אִבְצָן |
Ibzan
tails given about him in the Biblical narrative are that he had 30 sons and a like number of daughters. He sent all of his sons "abroad" for wives and brought husbands from "abroad" for all his daughters. The exact meaning of ha-chuts, "abroad," is mere matter of speculation, but the great social importance of the man and, possibly, alliances among tribes, are suggested in the brief narrative (Jud 12:8-10). Jewish tradition identifies Ibzan with Boaz of Bethlehem-Judah (Talmud, Babha', Bathra', 91a).
Ella Davis Isaacs
is (qerach): Ice is almost unknown in Palestine and Syria except on the highest mountains. At moderate heights of less than 4,000 ft. a little ice may form during the night in winter, but the warm rays of the sun melt it