Bible Dictionary
Ibzan
Ibzan was the tenth judge of Israel. He judged for seven years, came from Bethlehem, and was buried there after arranging marriages for his many sons and daughters.
Definition
Ibzan was the tenth judge of Israel. He came from Bethlehem, judged Israel for seven years, and was buried in his native place. He had thirty sons and thirty daughters, arranging marriages for all of them.
Biblical Usage
Ibzan appears in the period of the judges after Jephthah. The biblical account records his seven-year rule, his large family, and his burial at Bethlehem.
Historical Background
The biblical record does not establish whether his Bethlehem was in Judah or Zebulun. The supplied material suggests that his marriage arrangements may indicate social importance or alliances among tribes.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Illustrious, the tenth judge of Israel (Judg. 12:8-10). He ruled seven years.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(illustrious), a native of Bethlehem of Zebulun, who judged Israel for seven years after Jephthah. (Judges 12:8,10) (B.C. 1137.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ib'-zan (ibhtsan): The 10th judge of Israel. His city is given as Bethlehem (whether of Judah or Zebulun is not stated). He judged Israel 7 years, and when he died he was buried in his native place. The only personal details 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).</p><p>Ella Davis Isaacs</p>