Ibzan
After Jephthah, Ibzan became Israel’s judge. He lived in Bethlehem, and he had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He married his daughters to men outside his clan and brought in thirty young women from outside his clan to marry his sons. Ibzan judged Israel for seven years. When he died, he was buried at Bethlehem. – Judges 12:8-10
What an interesting passage. Bethlehem, the place Jesus was born. God’s perfect number – seven. Intermarrying his children with other clans – that sounds familiar.
The name Izban is defined by Strong’s dictionary as, “their whiteness”. Ok, not very interesting. However, I stumbled upon the following translation too, “father of a target”. Whoa! That is interesting! Then I see the following from the Jewish Talmudists.
The Talmud (Bava Batra 91a) asserts that Ibzan is to be identified with Boaz from the story of Ruth, who lived in the Bethlehem of Judah, and that he consummated his marriage with Ruth on the last night of his life. – (Source: Jewish Encylopedia and Wikipedia)
It would appear that this Izban might have been Boaz. If that is the case, then he would be an earthly ancestor of Jesus. Cool.
Father, thank you for interesting forays into your word. Whether this is truly what happened or not, it made me think. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Father of a target… hmm – Jan
My Journey in God's Word 