This verse has much repetition. The number thirty occurs three times, and in Hebrew the sh sound, which was prominent in verse 12.6, occurs ten times.

He had thirty sons is literally “And it was to him thirty sons.” Revised Standard Version and most other versions omit the Hebrew waw conjunction at the beginning of this verse. The numeral thirty, which also occurs in the story of Jair in verse 10.4, could be symbolic rather than literal, serving to indicate the importance and social standing of Ibzan. However, since polygamy was common, this number is realistic. The number thirty in Hebrew is sheloshim, with two sh sounds, adding to the repetitive tone in this verse.

And thirty daughters he gave in marriage outside his clan …: Ibzan’s people were exogamous, that is, they married their daughters outside their direct ethnic group and brought women in from other groups to marry their sons. This is also a common practice in many cultures today, especially where populations are small. This practice prevents close relatives from marrying. The balance between thirty sons and thirty daughters adds to the folktale-like style here. Some versions prefer to combine thirty sons and thirty daughters in one clause and then later speak of Ibzan giving his daughters in marriage. For example, New Jerusalem Bible begins this verse with “He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters….” He gave in marriage is literally “he sent,” which renders the key Hebrew verb shalach (see verse 1.25; verse 3.15). In most languages an idiomatic expression exists to express this idea. Outside his clan is literally “[to] the outside,” which may be rendered “outside his tribe” or “to other tribes.”

And thirty daughters he brought in from outside for his sons is literally “and thirty daughters he brought in for his sons from the outside.” Ibzan went to acquire wives for his sons outside their region and brought the young women back to marry his sons. This reflects the custom of the day, where the father or the parents were responsible for arranging the marriages of their children. In this context daughters does not refer to Ibzan’s own daughters, as in the preceding clause, but to his daughters-in-law. In some languages it would be better to say “young women” (New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New International Version). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “girls,” while New Jerusalem Bible says “brides.” Brought in may be rendered “made to come.”

Contemporary English Version condenses the first three clauses here, saying “He had thirty daughters and thirty sons, and he let them all marry outside his clan.” However, this rendering does not reflect the cultural situation of that day. The father made the marriage plans. To say he “let them marry outside his clan” does not seem correct.

And he judged Israel seven years: This short section concludes with this standard reference to the length of time of Ibzan’s leadership. The phrase judged Israel forms an inclusio around this section. Ibzan led Israel one year longer than Jephthah did. The number seven is a symbol of completeness or perfection, so it fits with this idyllic description of Ibzan.

A translation model for this verse is:

• Ibzan had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters in marriage to men from other clans, and he brought in women from other clans to marry his sons. He led Israel for seven years.

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .