There are two distinct men named Ezbon in the genealogies of Israel. Both represent the foundational families of their respective tribes during the migration to Egypt and the subsequent census in the wilderness.
1. Ezbon, Son of Gad
“And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.” — Genesis 46:16 (KJV)
The first Ezbon was one of the seven sons of Gad, making him a grandson of the patriarch Jacob and Zilpah. He was among the seventy souls who traveled with Jacob into Egypt to escape the famine.
In the parallel genealogy found in Numbers 26:15-16, he is referred to as Ozni. This is likely a linguistic variation or a name change that occurred over the centuries of the Egyptian sojourn. From him descended the Oznites, a tribal clan that maintained their identity through the Exodus and into the conquest of Canaan. His name is thought to mean “Splendid” or “Harkening.”
2. Ezbon, Son of Bela
“And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four.” — 1 Chronicles 7:7 (KJV)
The second Ezbon was a grandson of Benjamin through his firstborn son, Bela. This Ezbon is specifically distinguished as a “head of the house of his father” and a “mighty man of valour.”
During the time of the chronicler, the house of Ezbon was noted for its military strength. The genealogy records that this single family branch produced over 22,000 soldiers. This highlights the rapid expansion of the Tribe of Benjamin and their reputation as the “archers and shield-bearers” of Israel.
The Theological Significance
The inclusion of the two Ezbons in the “Who Was” series illustrates the Organization of the Inheritance:
- Clarity of Identity: By recording names like Ezbon, the Bible ensures that every Israelite could trace their lineage back to the promise made to Abraham. There were no “anonymous” families in the eyes of God.
- The Transformation of Names: The shift from Ezbon to Ozni in the book of Numbers reminds us that while names and languages may change over time (due to dialect or circumstance), the person and their covenant standing remain secure in God’s record.
- The Strength of the Household: The Benjaminite Ezbon shows that the spiritual and physical strength of a tribe is rooted in the “heads of houses”—leaders who take responsibility for the legacy of their kin.
Summary
Whether as a pioneer traveling to Egypt with Gad or a military patriarch in the line of Benjamin, Ezbon represents the structural integrity of the nation of Israel. He is a reminder that the Great Kingdom of God is built upon specific individuals and families who are known, numbered, and named by the Creator.