Ibzan

Ibzan is one of the lesser-known judges of Israel, mentioned in the Book of Judges. He served as a judge for seven years, following Jephthah and preceding Elon. His account is briefly recounted in Judges 12:8-10. According to the biblical account, Ibzan hailed from Bethlehem, though it is not specified whether this is Bethlehem in Judah or another Bethlehem in Zebulun.

Ibzan is noted for his large family, having thirty sons and thirty daughters. He arranged marriages for his children outside his clan, which may suggest a strategy to strengthen alliances and maintain peace among the tribes of Israel. The Bible states: "He had thirty sons, and he gave his thirty daughters in marriage to men outside his clan, and he brought in thirty young women as wives for his sons. He judged Israel seven years" (Judges 12:9). His leadership is characterized by this familial expansion, but the text does not provide further details about his governance or military exploits.

Elon

Elon, another judge of Israel, succeeded Ibzan and served for ten years. His account is even more concise, found in Judges 12:11-12. Elon was from the tribe of Zebulun, and his leadership is noted without any specific achievements or events. The Bible simply records: "After Ibzan, Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel, and he judged Israel ten years" (Judges 12:11).

Elon's tenure as judge is marked by its brevity in the biblical narrative, and there is no mention of conflict or significant events during his time. His burial in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun is the only additional detail provided, indicating his tribal affiliation and possibly the location of his influence.

Abdon

Abdon, the son of Hillel, is the next judge mentioned after Elon. His account is found in Judges 12:13-15. Abdon served as a judge for eight years and is noted for his large family and wealth. The Bible states: "He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. He judged Israel eight years" (Judges 12:14). The mention of donkeys suggests a measure of wealth and status, as donkeys were valuable assets in ancient Israel.

Abdon's leadership, like that of his predecessors Ibzan and Elon, is not detailed with specific events or battles. His burial in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites, is noted, indicating his regional influence and possibly the extent of his jurisdiction.

These three judges, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon, represent a period in Israel's history where leadership was decentralized, and judges arose to lead and deliver Israel in times of need. Their accounts, though brief, contribute to the tapestry of Israel's history during the time of the judges, highlighting the diverse backgrounds and roles of those who led the nation.