Ibzan

Ib´zan (illustrious), the tenth ’judge of Israel.’ He was of Bethlehem, probably the Bethlehem of Zebulun and not of Judah. He governed seven years. 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.

The tenth "judge of Israel," born in Bethlehem. He held office seven years, and was noted for his large and prosperous family, B. C. 1182, Jdg 12:8 .\par

Ib’zan. (illustrious). A native of Bethlehem of Zebulun, who judged Israel for seven years after Jephthah. Jdg 12:8; Jdg 12:10. (B.C. 1137).

Of Bethlehem (probably in Zebulun, as "Ephratah" or" Judah" is not added, Jos 19:15). Judged Israel for seven years after Jephthah (Jdg 12:8; Jdg 12:10). He took in 30 daughters in law from abroad for his 30 sons, and sent abroad (i.e gave away in marriage) his 30 daughters, which is an additional reason for Phoenicians not Philistines having been his neighbours.

[Ib’zan]

A man of Bethlehem, perhaps the city in Zebulon, and if so, he was judge of Israel in the N.E. of the land. He ruled seven years, and had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He was succeeded by Elon a Zebulonite. Jdg 12:8; Jdg 12:10-11.

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By: Emil G. Hirsch, M. Seligsohn

Judge of Israel for seven years after Jephthah; a native of Beth-lehem he had thirty sons and thirty daughters, and was buried in his native town (Judges xii. 8-10). As "Bethlehem" here is not followed by "Ephratah" or by "Judah," the town may have been one in the tribe of Zebulun (Josh. xix. 15).

Ibzan is identified by the Talmudists with Boaz. The objection which might be based upon Ruth iv. 17, where it appears that Obed was Boaz's only child, is met by the assertion that all the children of Ibzan died in their father's lifetime because he had not invited Manoah to their weddings (B. B. 91a; Yalḳ, Judges, 601).

IBZAN.—One of the minor judges, following Jephthah (Jdg 12:8-10). He came from Bethlehem, probably the Bethlehem in Zebulun (Jos 19:15), 7 miles N.W. of Nazareth. He had 30 sons and 30 daughters—an evidence of his social importance—and arranged their marriages. He judged Israel 7 years, and was buried at Bethlehem. According to Jewish tradition, Ibzan was the same as Boaz.

ib´zan (אבצן, ’ibhcān): 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-ḥūc, “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 (Jdg 12:8-10). Jewish tradition identifies Ibzan with Boaz of Bethlehem-Judah (Talmud, Bābhā’, Bathrā’, 91a).