Ibzan

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Of Bethlehem (probably in Zebulun, as "Ephratah" or" Judah" is not added,  Joshua 19:15). Judged Israel for seven years after Jephthah ( Judges 12:8;  Judges 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.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

IBZAN . One of the minor judges, following Jephthah (  Judges 12:8-10 ). He came from Bethlehem, probably the Bethlehem in Zebulun (  Joshua 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.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

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

Morrish Bible Dictionary

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.  Judges 12:8,10,11 .

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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,  Judges 12:8 .

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Judges 12:8-10

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Judges 12:8-10

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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 (  Judges 12:8-10 ). Jewish tradition identifies Ibzan with Boaz of Bethlehem-Judah (Talmud, Bābhā' , Bathrā' , 91 a ).

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Ibtsan', אַבְצָן , from אָבִוֹ , to Shine, hence Illustrious; but accord. to Gesen. perh. Of Tin, or Grievous, from the Chald.; Sept. Ε᾿Βεσάν v.r. Ἀβαισσάν ; Joseph. Ἀψάνης , Ant. 5, 7, 13), the tenth "judge of Israel" ( Judges 12:8-10). He was of Bethlehem probably the Bethlehem of Zebulun (so Michaelis and Hezel), and not of Judah (as Josephus says). He governed seven years, B.C. 1249-1243. 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. Some have held, with little probability, that Ibzan was the same with Boaz.-Kitto.

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

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.