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.
JUDGES 12:9KJVWhat does Judges 12:9 mean?
Judges 12:9 describes how a leader of Israel had thirty sons and thirty daughters, sending his daughters to marry outside his clan and bringing in thirty wives for his sons from outside. He served as a judge over Israel for seven years.
This verse is part of the story of Ibzan, one of the judges of Israel. The verse highlights his large family and his practice of arranging marriages beyond his immediate community, which may suggest efforts to build alliances or strengthen social ties. The verse also notes the length of his leadership, placing his story within the broader timeline of the judges.
The Hebrew behind Judges 12:9
- The word for "sent" is שָׁלַח (shalach), which often means to send away or send out. Here, it emphasizes that Ibzan's daughters were married off to families outside his own group.
- The word for "abroad" is חוּץ (chuts), meaning "outside" or "beyond." This shows that these marriages were not just within the local clan but reached further afield, possibly to other tribes or regions.
- The word for "judged" is שָׁפַט (shaphat), which means to govern or lead as a judge. This term is used throughout Judges to describe the leaders who guided Israel during this period.
Why Judges 12:9 matters
- This verse helps clarify that Ibzan was intentional about forming connections outside his immediate family or tribe, which may have been politically or socially significant in his time.
- The mention of thirty sons and thirty daughters underlines Ibzan's status and influence, as large families were often seen as a sign of prosperity and strength.
- By specifying that he judged Israel for seven years, the verse situates Ibzan’s leadership within the ongoing cycle of judges, helping readers track the sequence and duration of Israel’s leaders during this era.