Abdon

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

 

1. The tenth judge of Israel (Jdg 12:13; Jdg 12:15), probably the same as Bedan, 1Sa 12:11; for the Phoenicians often omitted the 'Ayin ( ע ). Son of Hillel, of the tribe of Ephraim. He succeeded Elon, and judged Israel eight years. His rule was a peaceful one, since no oppression of Israel during his time is mentioned. The record that he had 40 sons and 30 nephews (or rather grandsons) who rode on young donkeys, implies their high dignity and consequence: compare Jdg 5:9. He died in 1112 B.C. Of him Josephus (Ant. 5:7, 15) writes: "He alone is recorded to have been happy in his children; for the public affairs were so peaceable and secure that he had no occasion to perform glorious actions." A prophetical type of Israel's and the world's coming millennial blessedness (Isa 1:26-27). Pirathon, the city to which he belonged, is identified by Robinson with the modern Fer'ata, six miles W. of Shechem or Nablous (Bibl. Res., 3).

2. 1Ch 8:30, akin to Saul's forefathers, 1Ch 9:35-36

3. 1Ch 8:23.

4. 2Ch 34:20; called Achbor 2Ki 22:12.

 

Taken from: Fausset's Bible Dictionary by Andrew Robert Fausset (1821-1910)