Bedan (Hastings' Dictionary)
- Mentioned with Jerubbaal, Jephthah, and Samuel as one of the deliverers of Israel (1 S 12"). The name does not occur in Jk, and it is probably a corruption for Barak (so LXX and Pesh.). Chronologically Barak should precede Gideon, but the order cannot be pressed (cf. v.»). The Jews explain pa as=n"l? 'a son of Dan,' i.e. Samson ; this is impossible. The more obvious emen- dation,'Abdon(p3i', Ewald), is unsuitable, sincelittle Lb known of this tero. 2. A Manassite (1 Ch 7"). J. F. Stexnino.
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Bedan
Bedan be'-dan (bedhan, "son of judgment" (?)): ⇒See a list of verses on BEDAN in the Bible. (1) One of the leaders in Israel who with Jerubbaal, Jephthah and Samuel is mentioned as a deliverer of the nation (1Sa 12:11). The text is questioned because the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic read "Barak" instead. (2) A son of Ulam of the house of Manasseh (1Ch 7:17). ⇒See the definition of bed in the KJV Dictionary ⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia.
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Bedan
(son of judgement). Mentioned in (1 Samuel 12:11) as a judge of Israel between Jerubbaal (Gideon) and Jephthah. The Chaldee Paraphrase reads Samson for Bedan; the LXX., Syriac and Arabic all have Barak. Ewald suggests that it may be a false reading for Abdon. (B.C. about 1150.) The son of Gilead. (1 Chronicles 7:17)
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Bedan
A judge of Israel between Jerubbaal and Jephthah, in 1Sa 12:11. See mingly not, mentioned in Judges, but the name is probably identical with Abdon, which has the same radical consonants (Jdg 12:13-15). No achievement of his for Israel's deliverance is recorded, but may it not be inferred from the record "he was buried ... in the mount of the Amalekites," that he probably smote them, and took the land which they had robbed Israel of? Compare Jdg 3:13; Jdg 3:27; Jdg 5:14. A Bedan is mentioned among Manasseh's descendants (1Ch 7:17), whence some identify him with the Jair (Jdg 10:3), and suppose the surname Bedan was added to distinguish him from the elder Jair (Num 32:41). The Chaldee paraphrase reads "Samson" for "Bedan" in 1Sa 12:11. Whence some guess Bedan = Ben-Dan, or Be (Hebrew in) Dan, to be an epithet of Samson, namely, the Danite; compare Jdg 13:25. But the order of the names forbids it. The Septuagint, Syrian, and Arabic versions read "Barak," which also the order forbids; however, see Heb 11:32. Other and spiritual considerations, besides chronology, often rule the order.
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia