Bedan is a somewhat obscure figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the judges of Israel. The name appears in 1 Samuel 12:11, where the prophet Samuel recounts the history of Israel's deliverance from their enemies. The Berean Standard Bible renders this verse as follows: "Then the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely."

The mention of Bedan in this passage has led to some debate among biblical scholars and theologians regarding his identity. The name Bedan does not appear in the Book of Judges, which is the primary biblical source detailing the lives and deeds of the judges of Israel. This absence has led to various interpretations and theories about who Bedan might be.

One common interpretation is that Bedan is another name for Barak, one of the judges mentioned in the Book of Judges. Barak, alongside the prophetess Deborah, led Israel to victory against the Canaanite army commanded by Sisera (Judges 4-5). This view is supported by the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, which substitutes the name Barak for Bedan in 1 Samuel 12:11.

Another theory suggests that Bedan could be a reference to Samson, another prominent judge of Israel. Samson's exploits against the Philistines are well-documented in Judges 13-16, and his inclusion in Samuel's speech would be fitting given his role in delivering Israel from their enemies.

A less common interpretation is that Bedan might be a reference to Jair, a judge mentioned in Judges 10:3-5. Jair judged Israel for twenty-two years and had thirty sons who rode thirty donkeys, ruling thirty towns in Gilead. However, there is little direct evidence to support this identification.

Some scholars propose that Bedan could be a textual corruption or a scribal error, possibly arising from the similarity of Hebrew letters or the transmission of oral traditions. This theory suggests that the original text may have intended to refer to a different judge or deliverer entirely.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Bedan's identity, his inclusion in Samuel's speech highlights the broader theme of divine deliverance throughout Israel's history. The judges, including Bedan, were raised up by God to rescue His people from oppression and lead them back to faithfulness. This pattern of deliverance underscores the faithfulness of God to His covenant people, even amidst their recurring cycles of sin and repentance.

In summary, while the exact identity of Bedan remains uncertain, his mention in 1 Samuel 12:11 serves as a reminder of God's provision and deliverance through the judges of Israel. Whether Bedan is another name for Barak, Samson, or another figure, his role in the narrative emphasizes the importance of divine intervention in the history of Israel.Bedan

according to judgment

Bedan

(son of judgement).

1. Mentioned in (1 Samuel 12:11) as a judge of Israel between Jerubbaal (Gideon) and Jephthah. The Chaldee Paraphrase reads Samson for Bedan; the LXX., Syriac and Arabic all have Barak. Ewald suggests that it may be a false reading for Abdon. (B.C. about 1150.)
2. The son of Gilead. (1 Chronicles 7:17)

One of the judges of Israel (1 Samuel 12:11). It is uncertain who he was. Some suppose that Barak is meant, others Samson, but most probably this is a contracted form of Abdon (Judges 12:13). BEDAN

be'-dan (bedhan, "son of judgment" (?)):

(1) One of the leaders in Israel who with Jerubbaal, Jephthah and Samuel is mentioned as a deliverer of the nation (1 Samuel 12:11). The text is questioned because the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic read "Barak" instead.

(2) A son of Ulam of the house of Manasseh (1 Chronicles 7:17).

917. Bedan -- an Israelite name
... 916, 917. Bedan. 918 . an Israelite name. Transliteration: Bedan Phonetic Spelling:
(bed-awn') Short Definition: Bedan. ... name NASB Word Usage Bedan (2). Bedan ...
/hebrew/917.htm - 6k

The King after Man's Heart
... And the Lord sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered
you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.12. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king after mans heart.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... He was succeeded by Boleas, the son of Bedan, the son of Charran, [2042]
of the tribe of Ephraim, who ruled twenty-three years. ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

Bedan (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BEDAN. ... (2) A son of Ulam of the house of Manasseh
(1 Chronicles 7:17). Multi-Version Concordance Bedan (2 Occurrences). ...
/b/bedan.htm - 7k

Abdon (8 Occurrences)
... Servile. (1.) The son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, the tenth judge of Israel
(Judges 12:13-15). He is probably the Bedan of 1 Samuel 12:11. ...
/a/abdon.htm - 13k

Ulam (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 7:17 The sons of Ulam:
Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh. ...
/u/ulam.htm - 8k

Jerubbaal (15 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 12:11 Yahweh sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and
delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you lived in ...
/j/jerubbaal.htm - 12k

Jerubba'al (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 12:11 And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel,
and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelt ...
/j/jerubba'al.htm - 9k

Dwelled (5 Occurrences)
... (KJV). 1 Samuel 12:11 And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and
Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye ...
/d/dwelled.htm - 7k

Delivereth (49 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 12:11 And Jehovah sendeth Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel,
and delivereth you out of the hand of your enemies round about, and ye dwell ...
/d/delivereth.htm - 19k

Makir (17 Occurrences)
... NIV). 1 Chronicles 7:17 The sons of Ulam: Bedan. These were the sons of
Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh. (See NIV). ...
/m/makir.htm - 11k

Bedaubed (1 Occurrence)

/b/bedaubed.htm - 6k

Barak (14 Occurrences)
... Barak pursued him and found him murdered by Jael in her tent. This completed the
victory. See BEDAN; Moore, "Judges," at the place. Samuel Cohon. ...
/b/barak.htm - 14k

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