Ibzan
“Illustrious, or their whiteness”
Summary
A judge of Israel from Bethlehem who judged for seven years and was known for his large family.
☩Service as Judge
Ibzan was the tenth judge of Israel, succeeding Jephthah. He was from Bethlehem, likely the Bethlehem of Zebulun rather than the more famous Bethlehem of Judah. He judged Israel for seven years and when he died was buried in his native place.
☩Prominent Family
The prosperity of Ibzan is marked by the great number of his children—thirty sons and thirty daughters—and his wealth by their marriages, for they were all married. He sent all of his sons abroad for wives and brought husbands from abroad for all his daughters. This arrangement suggests great social importance and possibly tribal alliances. Jewish tradition identifies Ibzan with Boaz of Bethlehem-Judah, though this connection is uncertain.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ibzan," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Ibzan," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).