שופטים, פרק י״ב, פסוק ח׳

Following a tragic period of leadership, authority passes to a new figure, highlighting the dramatic shifts in human fortune. Immediately after the death of Jephthah [ביאור שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל], a man named Ibzan from Bethlehem assumes the role of judge. This city is understood to be the well-known Bethlehem located in the territory of the tribe of Judah [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The primary approach among commentators, drawing on ancient tradition, identifies Ibzan as Boaz, the prominent leader known from the story of Ruth [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, רד״ק, חומת אנך, אברבנאל]. This connection is drawn because Boaz served as a judge in Bethlehem, and Ibzan stands as the only judge from this city mentioned in this era [רלב״ג].

The sudden shift from Jephthah to Ibzan emphasizes how drastically life circumstances can differ. While Jephthah had only one daughter who could never marry because of his vow, Ibzan experienced immense family success. He had thirty sons and thirty daughters, all of whom he successfully married off during his lifetime [אברבנאל]. The arrangement of his family reflects the customs of the era. Married sons remained in their father's household, so Ibzan brought in wives from other families for them. Conversely, his daughters left his home to live with their new husbands [אברבנאל].

Commentators offer two distinct perspectives on the significance of Ibzan's vast family and wealth. The straightforward understanding is that his large family and their many marriages reflect his high social standing and tremendous success. This abundance was granted as a reward for his good deeds, which ultimately earned him his position as the judge of Israel [רד״ק].

However, another tradition views his story as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride in wealth and children. According to this perspective, Ibzan hosted sixty wedding feasts for his children but purposely excluded Manoah, who would later become the father of Samson. Because Manoah was childless at the time, Ibzan dismissed him, reasoning that a man without children could never host a wedding to repay the invitation. God saw Manoah's pain and punished Ibzan severely. All sixty of Ibzan's children died while he was still alive, whereas Manoah was eventually blessed with a son who would rise to become a judge over Israel [רד״ק].