Ezbon
אֶצְבֹּן/EZ-bon/
“Perhaps 'working' or 'hastening'”
Summary
A name borne by a son of Gad who founded a tribal family, and also by a grandson of Benjamin.
☩Son of Gad
Ezbon was the fourth son of the patriarch Gad who went down to Egypt with Jacob. In Numbers 26:16, his name appears as Ozni, and his descendants are called the Oznites—the names being variant forms of each other. This family was one of the clans of Gad.
Key verses:Genesis 46:16Numbers 26:16
☩Grandson of Benjamin
Another Ezbon appears as a son of Bela and grandson of Benjamin. Some scholars note the unusual presence of this name (associated with Gad) in Benjamin's genealogy, suggesting these may have been Gadite families incorporated into Benjamin after the near-destruction of that tribe recorded in Judges 20, possibly from Jabesh-gilead.
Key verses:1 Chronicles 7:7
References
- 1.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Ezbon," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ezbon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).