Why are Ibzan, Elon and Abdon in the book of Judges? Reading verses 8 through 15 does not at first glance reveal any theological truths, or illustrate any interesting aspects about human relationships. If these verses were dropped from the book of Judges, what difference would it make? Christians believe that the Bible was written with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Therefore these verses, by the application of logic, can be said to be inspired, but that does not make them especially inspiring.

Two of these men were described as having 30 sons and one had 40 grandsons. Many scholars believe theses numbers are idealized, and not used literaly. The numbers 30 and 70 are used in other writings of the region not just the Hebrew Scriptures. Aramaic writings used the number 30 and 70 to symbolize a complete royal household. If that is the use here, it would mean that Ibzan, and Abdon were men viewed as having a noble status. That would fit with the description of the sons and grandsons riding on donkeys. Donkeys were considered the transportation of kings.

Based on the text, we know that these three men were wealthy and well thought of by the Israelite people. They are mentioned as leading Israel, and under their leadership Israel did not return to pagan worship, and were not oppressed by their enemies. They enjoyed a period of prosperity and success, but not one of these three men were recorded in any other historical evidence. Their hometowns cannot be placed with any certainty on a map (Israel had many Bethlehem’s). Scholars are unable to say who they were or where they lived. They would be unknown to history, except their names are in the Bible. Perhaps because of their faithfulness, God, said “I know your name, and I will not let you be forgotten.” As Christians we may not leave our mark on history, but we will never be forgotten; God remembers and He has written our names in His “Book of Life”.