Tag: Bible Characters

ē´lı̄ ( עלי , ‛ēlı̄ ) was a high priest of the Jews, the first in the line of Ithamar, 1 Samuel 2:27. He was also the second-to-last judge of Israel, succeeded only by Samuel. For the first time in Israel, Eli combined in his own person the functions of high priest and judge, judging Israel for 40… Continue reading Who was Eli in the Bible?

Samson (/ˈsæmsən/; Hebrew: שִׁמְשׁוֹן, Šīmšōn, “man of the sun”) was the last of the judges of the ancient Israelites mentioned in the Book of Judges (Judges 13 to 16) and one of the last leaders who “judged” Israel before the institution of the monarchy. He was son of Manoah, a man of the town of Zorah in the tribe of Dan, on the border of Judah.  Joshua 15:33;  Joshua 19:41.… Continue reading Who was Samson in the Bible?

Ab´don ( עבדּון , ‛abhdōn , perhaps “service”; Ἀβδών , Abdō̇n ) was one of the Judges of Israel mentioned in the Book of Judges (Judges 12:13–15). He was the son of Hillel the Pirathonite, a member of the tribe of Ephraim. He was preceded by Elon of Zebulun. He judged Israel for eight years, B.C. 1233-1225. His administration appears to have been peaceful; for nothing is recorded of him but… Continue reading Who was Abdon the Judge in the Bible?

Elon (Hebrew: אֵילֹן‎ ʼĒlōn, “oak”), which also translated as “Ahialon” in other translations, was the eleventh of the Hebrew judges. He held office for ten years (Judges 12:11-12 ). Elon was a member of the Tribe of Zebulun. He was preceded by Ibzan of Bethlehem, and succeeded by Abdon of Ephraim. The whole period covered by their administration was twenty-five… Continue reading Who was Elon, the Judge of Israel?

Ib’zan (אבצן , ‘ibhcān,  to Shine, hence Illustrious;) was the tenth judge of Israel, one of the minor judges, following Jephthah. His account is recorded in Judges Judges 12:8-10. He came from Bethlehem, probably the Bethlehem in Zebulun ( Joshua 19:15 ), 7 miles northwest of Nazareth. He had 30 sons and 30 daughters an evidence of his social importance and arranged their marriages.… Continue reading Who was Ibzan of Bethlehem in the Bible?

Jephthah (pronounced /ˈdʒɛfθə/; Hebrew: יִפְתָּח, Yīftāḥ, “opened,” or “opener,” probably signifying “Yahweh will open”), was the ninth Judge who presided over Israel for a period of six years (Judges 12:7), following the leadership of Jair. His account is recorded in Judges 11:1-12:7. A Son of Prostitute and an Outlaw King Jephthah lived in Gilead, on the east side of the River Jordan. His father’s… Continue reading Who was Jephthah in the Bible?

Jair (Hebrew: יָאִיר Yā’īr, “he enlightens”) was the eighth Judge of Israel. He ruled twenty-two years the death of Tola. His account recorded in Judges 10:3-5. 3 He was followed by Jair of Gilead, who led Israel twenty-two years. 4 He had thirty sons, who rode thirty donkeys. They controlled thirty towns in Gilead, which to this day… Continue reading Who was Jair in the Bible?

Tola (Hebrew: תּוֹלָע‎, means “Crimson worm” or “scarlet stuff” ) was the seventh Judge of Israel. He judged Israel for 23 years after Abimelech died. He lived at Shamir in Mount Ephraim, where he was also buried. He was succeeded by Jair. Of all the biblical judges, the least is written about Tola. None of his deeds are recorded. The entire… Continue reading Who was Tola in the Bible?