Who were Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon?
Answered from the commentary of Arno Clemens Gaebelein, Numerical Bible Notes, J. N. Darby and 3 others
Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon were judges of Israel who followed Abimelech or Jephthah and held office during periods of peace. Tola was the son of Puah, from Issachar, and judged Israel for twenty-three years. Jair was a Gileadite who judged Israel for twenty-two years; he had thirty sons, who rode on thirty donkeys and had thirty cities. Ibzan was a Bethlehemite, probably from the Bethlehem in Zebulun; he judged Israel for seven years and had thirty sons and thirty daughters. Elon was a Zebulonite who judged Israel for ten years. Abdon, son of Hillel, was a Pirathonite; he judged Israel for eight years and had forty sons and thirty grandsons.
Verses: Judges 10:1, Judges 10:2, Judges 10:3, Judges 10:4, Judges 10:5, Judges 12:8, Judges 12:9, Judges 12:10, Judges 12:11, Judges 12:12, Judges 12:13, Judges 12:14, Judges 12:15
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What the commentators say
The passages the answer is drawn from, the most direct first, with the words that bear on the question marked.
Son of Puah, of the tribe of Issachar: he judged Israel twenty-three years at Shamir in Mount Ephraim. Judges 10:1-2.
Jair was from Gilead, and again there is nothing said of his character or of what he may have done. He judged Israel for 22 years. But he evidently made provision for his own family, each of his 30 sons having a city and each riding on a donkey. This may imply that Jair was partial to his family, therefore not particularly concerned about all Israel. It is said only that he judged Israel, not that he saved Israel, as did Tola. But combining the length of Tola's and Jair's tenure, there was evidently comparative peace for 45 years.
TOLA'S 23 YEARS AS JUDGE (vv. 1-2)
Abimelech had been no help to Israel in his three years of authority, now another man, Tola of Issachar, "arose to save Israel" (v. 1). We are not told what he saved Israel from, and nothing is said of his character or of his actions. But if he saved Israel from the idol worship they had adopted, this was good work. Generally, where there is no recorded history the implications are good. He judged Israel 23 years and died. Though there is nothing particularly outstanding in the good he did, yet there is nothing to the contrary.
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.
The Zebulonite who judged Israel ten years. Judges 12:11-12.
(2) Elon, the "oak," comes next, implying strength as the product of life and growth. Growth by the truth fits well the second place, — Elon being again a Zebulonite. Nothing else is recorded of him but that he judged Israel ten years and was buried in Ajalon.
The tenth judge of Israel: he succeeded Elon, and ruled eight years. Judges 12:13, 15.
Three judges followed Jephthah, but nothing is said of their character or their actions. Ibzan had thirty sons and thirty daughters, all of whom were married, his sons being provided with wives from elsewhere, whether from Israel or from the nations is not clear. His government continued for seven years. At least nothing derogatory is said of him.
Elon judged Israel for two years, but besides this nothing is recorded of him but his death and burial (vv.11-12). Abdon followed to judge Israel eight years. Otherwise, we are only told of him that he had forty sons and thirty grandsons, all of whom were provided with donkeys to ride.
Three judges follow after Jephthah's death. These correspond to their typical meaning to Tola and Jair after Abimelech's lordship had been broken. Ibzan of Bethlehem . Ibzan means "shining"--"splendour." Then there is Elon, which means "strength"; and Abdon, the meaning of which is "service," the son of Hillel, "praising." These three give us a little glimpse of "Him who will come in splendor and in strength"--that is "in power and great glory," to set things right. Then all strife and disorder will end and happy service and praise will follow.
Tola and Jair, following Abimelech, are in most marked and significant contrast with him. No warlike deeds are recorded of them: Israel seems to have enjoyed the most entire peace during the forty-five years of their united judgeship. Absolutely nothing is recorded of Tola except his descent, the place of his residence and burial, and the length of time during which he judged Israel. Of Jair personally even less is given; but the fact is noticed of his thirty sons who all attained to dignity in Israel. Out of these few and apparently not very important items we are to gather whatever spiritual lessons they can furnish.
Verses
- Judges 10:1–51And after Abimelech, there rose up to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir on mount Ephraim. 2And he judged Israel twenty-three years; and he died, and was buried in Shamir. 3And after him rose up Jair, a Gileadite; and he judged Israel twenty-two years. 4And he had thirty sons who rode on thirty ass colts; and they had thirty cities, which are called the villages of Jair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead. 5And Jair died, and was buried in Kamon.
- Judges 12:8–158And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. 9And he had thirty sons; and thirty daughters he sent out of the house, and thirty daughters he took in from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years. 10And Ibzan died, and was buried at Bethlehem. 11And after him Elon, the Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years. 12And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Ajalon in the land of Zebulun. 13And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, the Pirathonite, judged Israel. 14And he had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy ass colts. And he judged Israel eight years. 15And Abdon the son of Hillel, the Pirathonite, died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill-country of the Amalekites.