Abdon

Technical Profile

Name Meaning: Hebrew ʿAbdôn (“servile; servant”), a common Israelite personal name
Period/Era: Divided Kingdom (period of the Judges, pre-monarchy)
Main References: Judges 12:13–15
Key Connections: Son of Hillel the Pirathonite; associated with Pirathon in Ephraim; buried in Ephraim in the hill country of the Amalekites

Who was Abdon?

Abdon was an Israelite judge who led Israel after Elon.
He is identified as the son of Hillel and as a Pirathonite from Ephraim.
His rule is summarized briefly as lasting eight years.
The narrative highlights his large household and social standing.

Key Events & Achievements

Event 1: Served as judge of Israel for eight years after Elon.
Event 2: Had forty sons and thirty grandsons who rode on seventy donkeys, indicating prominence.
Event 3: Died and was buried at Pirathon in Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.

Life Lesson & Legacy

Abdon’s brief account illustrates how Israel’s leadership in the Judges period could be remembered through family networks, local identity, and public status.

Key Verse

"After him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel." — Judges 12:13, ESV

Quizzes

Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.

1. How long did Abdon serve as judge of Israel?

2. What detail is given about Abdon’s descendants and their public status?