Ibzan

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Uncertain; likely Hebrew, with no widely agreed etymology.
• Period/Era: Divided Kingdom (pre-monarchic judges period)
• Main References: Judges 12:8–10
• Key Connections: From Bethlehem; father of thirty sons and thirty daughters

Who was Ibzan?

Ibzan was a judge of Israel who led after Jephthah.
He is identified as being from Bethlehem and judged Israel for seven years.
The narrative highlights his many children and their marriages beyond his clan.
He was buried in Bethlehem.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Judged Israel for seven years following Jephthah (Judges 12:8–9).
• Event 2: Arranged marriages for thirty sons and thirty daughters, linking his household with families outside his group (Judges 12:9).
• Event 3: Died and was buried in Bethlehem (Judges 12:10).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Ibzan’s brief judgeship is remembered mainly for local leadership and the way household relationships could shape Israelite social stability.

Key Verse

"He had thirty sons, and thirty daughters he gave in marriage outside his clan, and thirty daughters he brought in from outside for his sons." — Judges 12:9, ESV