Lexical Summary Ibtsan: Ibzan Original Word: אִבְצָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ibzan From the same as aba'bu'ah; splendid; Ibtsan, an Israelite -- Ibzan. see HEBREW aba'bu'ah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as Ebets Definition a judge of Isr. NASB Translation Ibzan (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אִבְצָן proper name, masculine judge of Isr. Judges 12:8,10 (LagGN 1891, 19 (אֲ)בֶן צָן, ᵐ5 Ἀβεσσαν, ᵑ6  ). אבק (Arabic Topical Lexicon Biblical Portrait Ibzan enters the record immediately after Jephthah’s turbulent judgeship: “After Jephthah, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel” (Judges 12:8). His brief narrative (Judges 12:8-10) highlights three core facts: he hailed from Bethlehem, he judged Israel for seven years, and he fathered thirty sons and thirty daughters, arranging their marriages beyond his clan. These details, though concise, invite reflection on his role as a stabilizer in a period otherwise marked by conflict. Chronological Setting Ibzan’s service is commonly placed in the second half of the twelfth century BC, during the loosely organized era of the Judges when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Jephthah’s victory over Ammon had restored external security but left lingering internal divisions. Ibzan’s seven-year tenure appears to have provided a short window of domestic consolidation before Elon succeeded him (Judges 12:11). Geographical Note: Bethlehem of Judah or Zebulun? Judges specifies only “Bethlehem.” Most readers assume Bethlehem in Judah, famed later as David’s and Messiah’s birthplace (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4-7). A minority of scholars point to Bethlehem of Zebulun (Joshua 19:15), which would situate Ibzan’s influence in the northern tribes. Scripture does not resolve the question; either location underscores how the LORD raised deliverers from varied tribal backgrounds to shepherd the whole nation. Family Strategy and Social Diplomacy Ibzan’s large family and far-reaching marriage alliances dominate the brief account: “He had thirty sons. He gave thirty daughters in marriage outside his clan, and for his sons he brought in thirty young women from outside” (Judges 12:9). In a fragmented confederation, inter-tribal marriages forged political and social cohesion. Ibzan’s deliberate outward gifting of daughters and inward receiving of daughters-in-law suggests an intentional two-way strengthening of covenant ties across Israel. Where Jephthah’s account ended with a tragic sacrifice of an only child, Ibzan’s opens with life, growth, and peaceful exchanges—an instructive contrast in the book’s narrative flow. Comparison with Other Judges Ibzan’s household recalls Jair, who “had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys” (Judges 10:4), and Abdon, who “had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys” (Judges 12:14). The repetition reveals a pattern: judges who ruled during comparatively calm years are noted for numerous offspring and symbols of status rather than for military exploits. These snapshots illustrate that God’s deliverance sometimes manifests through steady administration, not merely battlefield heroics. Ministry Significance 1. Covenant Stewardship: By integrating families across tribal lines, Ibzan advanced the unity that the Mosaic covenant presupposed (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Traditional Associations Jewish tradition sometimes identifies Ibzan with Boaz of Ruth, another Bethlehemite who secured family and national blessing through covenant-loyal marriage. While Scripture does not conflate the two men, the parallel reinforces how God can work through domestic faithfulness as surely as military might. Place in the Redemptive Narrative Ibzan’s legacy prefigures the greater Bethlehemite to come. Just as he provided temporary peace through familial alliances, Jesus Christ—born in Bethlehem of Judah—secures everlasting peace by bringing many sons and daughters to glory (Hebrews 2:10). The judge’s short tenure therefore foreshadows the Savior’s perfect reign: both arise from Bethlehem; both promote unity among God’s people; but Christ fulfills in permanence what Ibzan could model only in part. Key Lessons for Today • Leadership is measured not only by crisis management but also by the cultivation of everyday harmony. Summary Ibzan, though mentioned in only two verses, embodies the LORD’s provision of peace after conflict, the strategic use of family for the nation’s welfare, and the quiet strength of Bethlehem’s heritage. His life encourages believers to value both dramatic deliverances and the steady work of nurturing covenant relationships under God’s sovereign hand. Forms and Transliterations אִבְצָ֔ן אִבְצָ֖ן אבצן ’iḇ·ṣān ’iḇṣān ivTzanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 12:8 HEB: אֶת־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אִבְצָ֖ן מִבֵּ֥ית לָֽחֶם׃ NAS: Now Ibzan of Bethlehem judged KJV: And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem INT: after Israel now Ibzan of Bethlehem Judges 12:10 2 Occurrences |
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run away (compare LagBN 51)).