Ibtsan (Ibzan) was one of Israel's minor judges, from Bethlehem. He judged Israel for seven years and is noted for his large family — thirty sons and thirty daughters.
Ibzan represents the period of relative peace between major crises in the book of Judges. His large family (thirty sons, thirty daughters) and practice of strategic marriages for his children reflects the social customs of the period. Though little is recorded of his spiritual character, his inclusion in the sacred record reminds us that God's governance of Israel involved ordinary leaders during ordinary times, not just dramatic deliverers. Faithfulness in quiet seasons matters.