Judges 12:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 12:8-15

We have here a short account of the short reigns of three more of the judges of Israel, the first of whom governed but seven years, the second ten, and the third eight. For the transgression of a land, many are the princes thereof, many in a short time, successively (Prov. 28:2), good men being removed in the beginning of their usefulness and by the time that they have applied themselves to their business. I. Ibzan of Bethlehem, most probably Bethlehem of Judah, David's city, not that in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 12:9

And he had thirty sons and thirty daughters ,.... Which was a very uncommon case for a man to have so many children, and those as to their sex to be equal. Between the former judge and him there was a great difference, in respect of this circumstance of children; he had but one daughter, an only child; and she, by reason of his vow, not suffered to marry. Such a difference does God, in his all wise Providence, make even among good men: nor is this any certain characteristic of a good man.... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 12:9

Judges 12:9. Took in thirty daughters That is, took them home for wives to his sons. What a difference between his and his predecessor’s family! Ibzan had sixty children, and all married; Jephthah but one, and she dies unmarried. Some are increased, others diminished; all is the Lord’s doing. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 12:1-15

Jephthah and five other judges (10:1-12:15)Little is known of the political or military activities of the judges Tola and Jair. They both exercised power for lengthy periods, and Jair’s family certainly enjoyed considerable power and prestige among the East Jordan tribes (10:1-5).Again the Israelites turned away from Yahweh and worshipped false gods, and again they were punished. The Ammonites conquered the eastern tribes, crossed Jordan, and seized large portions of Israelite territory in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 12:6-15

E. The fifth apostasy 10:6-12:15In view of Israel’s continuing and worsening apostasy, God turned His people over to the discipline of the Ammonites, whom Jephthah finally defeated, and the Philistines. He also used three other judges during this period: Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 12:8-10

Ibzan’s judgeship 12:8-10Ibzan, whose name comes from a root meaning "swift," was notable for his 30 sons and 30 daughters, a sign of prestige and wealth in the ancient Near East (cf. Judges 8:30). He contrasts with Jephthah who had only one daughter. Whereas Jephthah slew his daughter, Ibzan obtained husbands for his 30 daughters. Apparently Ibzan was a polygamist, and Jephthah was not. His "marriages probably cemented clan alliances and extended the scope of his political influence." [Note:... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 12:8-15

4. The judgeships of Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon 12:8-15These three men were quite clearly successors of Jephthah (Judges 12:8; Judges 12:11; Judges 12:13). Probably Ibzan followed Jephthah (Judges 12:8), and then Elon and Abdon succeeded Ibzan (Judges 12:11; Judges 12:13). The writer noted no special deeds of theirs, either because they performed none or because he chose not to feature them in his narrative. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 12:1-15

The Ephraimites Quarrel with Jephthah. His Death1-6. Jephthah and Ephraim. Once more the members of the leading tribe find themselves left out of the victory, and complain: cp. Judges 8:1; Jephthah deals with them differently from Gideon.1. Northward] RM ’to Zaphon,’ a town near Succoth: cp. Joshua 13:27. 2. When I called you] It would seem that Jephthah had done more than simply rouse Gilead: see on Judges 11:29. 4. Jephthah now makes use of the headship promised him in Judges 11:11. The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 12:9

(9) Thirty sons, and thirty daughters.—Implying polygamy, wealth, and state (Judges 8:30).Whom he sent abroad—i.e., whom he gave in marriage “out of his house” (Vulg., quas emittens foras maritis dedit). The only reason for recording the marriage of his sons and daughters is to show that he was a great man, and sought additional influence by intermarriages with other families. It showed no little prosperity that he lived to see his sixty children married. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Judges 12:1-15

Judges 12:6 I can and do, in retrospect, sympathize heartily, tenderly, and reverentially with the Simeonite or Evangelical reaction. Not a stone would I dare to throw at the names of any of the good men who took part in it. But, at the same time, I know perfectly well that there is a type of character which never did, never will, perhaps, understand Evangelicism, but which is capable of religious faith acceptable to God, though innocent of Shibboleths; and a type which could have found no... read more

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