Judges 12:14

Judges 12:14 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. And he judged Israel eight years.

King James Version KJV

And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

American Standard Version ASV

And he had forty sons and thirty sons’ sons, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

Bible in Basic English BBE

He had forty sons and thirty sons' sons who went on seventy young asses; and he was judge of Israel for eight years.

Free Bible Version FBV

He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode seventy donkeys. He led Israel as judge for eight years.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And he had fourty sonnes and thirtie nephewes that rode on seuentie assecoltes: and he iudged Israel eight yeeres.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and he hath forty sons, and thirty grandsons, riding on seventy ass-colts, and he judgeth Israel eight years.

World English Bible WEB

He had forty sons and thirty sons’ sons who rode on seventy donkey colts. He judged Israel eight years.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on seventy ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And he had forty sons, and of them thirty grandsons, mounted upon seventy ass colts, and he judged Israel eight years:

Translation for Translators T4T

He had 40 sons and 30 grandsons. Each of them had his own donkey on which to ride. Abdon was the leader of the Israeli people for eight years.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 12:14

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Judges 12:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יְהִי ל֞/וֹ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים בָּנִ֗ים וּ/שְׁלֹשִׁים֙ בְּנֵ֣י בָנִ֔ים רֹכְבִ֖ים עַל שִׁבְעִ֣ים עֲיָרִ֑ם וַ/יִּשְׁפֹּ֥ט אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה שָׁנִֽים

וַ/יְהִי hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

ל֞/וֹ Prep | Suff

אַרְבָּעִ֣ים ʼarbâʻîym H705 forty Adj

בָּנִ֗ים bên H1121 son N-mp

וּ/שְׁלֹשִׁים֙ shᵉlôwshîym H7970 thirty Conj | Adj

בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 son N-mp

בָנִ֔ים bên H1121 son N-mp

רֹכְבִ֖ים râkab H7392 to ride V-Qal

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

שִׁבְעִ֣ים shibʻîym H7657 seventy Adj

עֲיָרִ֑ם ʻayir H5895 colt N-mp

וַ/יִּשְׁפֹּ֥ט shâphaṭ H8199 to judge Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper

שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה shᵉmôneh H8083 eight Adj

שָׁנִֽים shâneh H8141 year N-fp

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 12:14

וַ/יְהִי hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

ל֞/וֹ "" Prep | Suff

אַרְבָּעִ֣ים ʼarbâʻîym H705 "forty" Adj

The number forty is what this Hebrew word represents, often used in the Bible to mark significant periods of time, like the 40 days of rain in Genesis or the 40 years of Israel's wilderness journey.

Definition: forty

Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: -forty. See also: Genesis 5:13; Judges 13:1; Psalms 95:10.

בָּנִ֗ים bên H1121 "son" N-mp

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

וּ/שְׁלֹשִׁים֙ shᵉlôwshîym H7970 "thirty" Conj | Adj

Thirty is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also be used as an ordinal to describe something as thirtieth. It is used to count quantities in the Bible.

Definition: thirty, thirtieth Aramaic equivalent: te.la.tin (תְּלָתִין "thirty" H8533)

Usage: Occurs in 163 OT verses. KJV: thirty, thirtieth. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:3; 1 Samuel 11:8; Jeremiah 38:10.

בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 "son" N-mp

Definition: : child/son

בָנִ֔ים bên H1121 "son" N-mp

Definition: : child/son

רֹכְבִ֖ים râkab H7392 "to ride" V-Qal

This Hebrew verb means to ride an animal or vehicle, and can also mean to place someone or something on a horse or chariot. It is used to describe riding horses or chariots in the Bible.

Definition: 1) to mount and ride, ride 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to mount, mount and sit or ride 1a2) to ride, be riding 1a3) rider (subst) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to ride, cause to (mount and) ride 1b2) to cause to draw (plough, etc) 1b3) to cause to ride upon (fig)

Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: bring (on (horse-) back), carry, get (oneself) up, on (horse-) back, put, (cause to, make to) ride (in a chariot, on, -r), set. See also: Genesis 24:61; 2 Kings 23:30; Psalms 18:11.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

שִׁבְעִ֣ים shibʻîym H7657 "seventy" Adj

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the number seventy, like the seventy disciples Jesus sent out in Luke 10:1. It appears in phrases like threescore and ten. The KJV Bible uses it to describe groups of seventy people.

Definition: seventy

Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: seventy, threescore and ten ([phrase] -teen). See also: Genesis 4:24; Judges 9:2; Psalms 90:10.

עֲיָרִ֑ם ʻayir H5895 "colt" N-mp

A colt is a young donkey, strong enough to carry a load, as described in the Bible with words like foal or young ass.

Definition: he-ass, male ass

Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: (ass) colt, foal, young ass. See also: Genesis 32:16; Job 11:12; Isaiah 30:6.

וַ/יִּשְׁפֹּ֥ט shâphaṭ H8199 "to judge" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

To shaphat means to judge or govern, and can also mean to vindicate or punish. In the Bible, this term is often used to describe God's role as a judge, as well as human judges and rulers.

Definition: 1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man) 1a1a) to rule, govern, judge 1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man) 1a3) to execute judgment 1a3a) discriminating (of man) 1a3b) vindicating 1a3c) condemning and punishing 1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together 1b2) to be judged 1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)

Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. See also: Genesis 16:5; Psalms 9:5; Psalms 2:10.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper

Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.

Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile

Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.

שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה shᵉmôneh H8083 "eight" Adj

The Hebrew word for the number eight, which was considered a special number in biblical times. It is used to describe quantities, such as eight days or eight years, and also appears in ordinal forms, like eighth or eighth day.

Definition: 1) eight, eighth 1a) eight (as cardinal number) 1b) eighth (as ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers

Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: eight(-een, -eenth), eighth. See also: Genesis 5:4; 1 Chronicles 16:38; Jeremiah 32:1.

שָׁנִֽים shâneh H8141 "year" N-fp

This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.

Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)

Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.

Study Notes — Judges 12:14

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Judges 12:14 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Judges 12:14
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 12:14
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 12:14
Cambridge Bible on Judges 12:14
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 12:14

Context — Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon

12Then Elon the Zebulunite died, and he was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun. 13After Elon, Abdon son of Hillel, from Pirathon, judged Israel.

14He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. And he judged Israel eight years.

15Then Abdon son of Hillel, from Pirathon, died, and he was buried at Pirathon in Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Judges 5:10	You who ride white donkeys, who sit on saddle blankets, and you who travel the road, ponder
2	Judges 10:4	He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys. And they had thirty towns in the land of Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth-jair.

Judges 12:14 Summary

This verse tells us about Abdon, a judge of Israel who had a large family and many donkeys. Having many donkeys was a sign of wealth and status, but it also shows that Abdon was a humble leader who used his resources to serve God and others (as seen in Matthew 21:5). Abdon judged Israel for eight years, which means he helped the people make good decisions and follow God's laws, similar to what we see in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 where it talks about the role of leaders in Israel. This reminds us that God provides leaders to guide us and help us follow Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that Abdon had forty sons and thirty grandsons who rode on seventy donkeys?

This indicates that Abdon was a wealthy and influential man, as donkeys were a symbol of status and wealth in ancient Israel, similar to what we see in Judges 5:10 where it talks about those who ride on white donkeys (Judges 5:10).

How did Abdon's large family impact his ability to judge Israel?

The Bible does not provide a direct answer, but having a large family may have given Abdon a broader perspective and more wisdom to make fair judgments, as seen in the wisdom of Solomon in 1 Kings 3:12 where God grants him wisdom to rule Israel.

What can we learn from Abdon's eight years of judging Israel?

Abdon's leadership and judgment of Israel for eight years demonstrate God's provision of leaders to guide His people, as seen in the appointment of judges throughout the book of Judges, such as Othniel in Judges 3:10 and Deborah in Judges 4:4.

Is there any spiritual significance to the number of donkeys mentioned in this verse?

While the Bible does not provide a direct spiritual significance to the number of donkeys, the use of donkeys as a mode of transportation highlights the humble and servant-like nature of Abdon's leadership, similar to Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey in Matthew 21:5.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can use my own influence and resources to serve God and others, just like Abdon used his position to judge Israel?
How can I cultivate a sense of humility and servant-leadership in my own life, as seen in Abdon's willingness to judge Israel?
What are some areas in my life where I need to trust God's provision and guidance, just like the Israelites trusted Abdon's leadership?
In what ways can I use my family and relationships to further God's kingdom, just like Abdon's large family may have impacted his leadership?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 12:14

And he had forty sons, and thirty nephews,.... Or sons' sons, that is, grandsons; so that he lived not only to see his sons married, but his grandchildren grown up to men's estate; since it follows,

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 12:14

Judges 12:14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.Ver. 14. And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode.] Equestris ordinis, potent and opulent. In Persia the peasant never rides; the gentleman never goes on foot, but fights, trades, confers, doth all on horseback. The Preacher’ s Travels, 63.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 12:14

(14) Thirty nephews.—The Hebrew has “sons of sons” (benî bhanîm), and the word nephews in our version always means “grandsons” (nepoles), e.g., in Job 18:19, Isaiah 14:22, 1 Timothy 5:4, as in old English generally; similarly nieces means “granddaughters” in Wiclif’s Bible (Genesis 31:43, &c). “The Emperor Augustus . . . saw ere he died the nephew of his niece, that is to say, his progenie to the fourth degree of lineal descent” (Holland’s Pliny, vii. 13; Bible Word Book).That rode on threescore and ten ass colts.—Riding on asses’ foals in trappings of state implies that they were all wealthy and distinguished persons (Judges 10:4)—perhaps, like the Turkish pennon on the horsetail, that they commanded a division (Ewald, 2:38, 39). Again the LXX. euphemise the ass-colts into the grand and poetic word pôlous. Josephus says that Abdon used to ride in state with his seventy sons and grandsons, “who were all very skilful in riding horses.”

Cambridge Bible on Judges 12:14

8–15. The three last Minor Judges See introduction to ch. 10

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 12:14

14. Thirty nephews — Rather, grandsons. His family greatness was much like that of Ibzan and of Jair.

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Judges 12:14

Judges 12:14 in Multiple Translations

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Study Highlights

Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 12:14

Judges 12:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)

Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 12:14

Study Notes — Judges 12:14

Context — Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon

Cross References

Judges 12:14 Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Reflection Questions

Gill's Exposition on Judges 12:14

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 12:14

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 12:14

Cambridge Bible on Judges 12:14

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 12:14