Judges 12:8-15

Judges 12:8

And after him Ibzan of Beth-lehem judged Israel.

His name means “splendid or active.”  He is one of the minor judges which not too much is known about him.

Judges 12:9

And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.

He had thirty sons and thirty daughters.  Having so many children alive at one time may have indicated there was a time of prosperity in Israel at this time.  So he sent his thirty daughters to be married and then arranged for thirty women to be brought in for his sons.  These were probably thirty women of the same tribe because if it was a time of prosperity, then God would not have blessed him if he had his children intermarry with the pagan nations around him.  His judgeship of Israel lasted a total of seven years.

Judges 12:10

Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Beth-lehem.

Then Ibzan had died and it was probably a great funeral with such a large family.  His burying place was at Bethlehem.

Judges 12:11

And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years.

Elon was another judge that we do not know much about.  His name means “an oak or strong.”  It probably says something about his character.  His judgeship of Israel lasted ten years.

Judges 12:12

And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun.

Elon then died after his time as judge and was buried in Aijalon which was located about 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Jerusalem.  There was also a big valley there called the Valley of Aijalon which extended west of the city.

Judges 12:13

And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.

The name “Abdon” means “servant or service.”  He hailed from Pirathon which was located in the northern part of Ephraim.  It was about 22 miles (35 km) east of the Plain of Sharon on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Judges 12:14

And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

Just like Ibzan, he had a very large family no doubt with the help of concubines and multiple wives.  He had forty sons and thirty nephews, which could also be considered grandchildren, who rode on 70 ass colts.  At that time in history, it was an honor to ride upon the ass colts because they would have rode a circuit to adjudicate any matters and to see that law and order was the norm in their assigned areas.  We saw this same situation back in Judges 5 under Barak and Deborah.  Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.  (Judges 5:10, KJV)  His length of time of judging Israel was eight years.

Judges 12:15

And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.