Abdon

Abdon, son of Hillel from Pirathon, was one of the so-called "minor judges" who led Israel for eight years. He stood out through his unusually large family: forty sons and thirty grandsons, all riding on seventy donkeys – a clear sign of considerable wealth, political influence, and high social standing in Israelite society. Abdon succeeded Elon as judge, and when he died, he was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, at what is called the hill of Amalek. Although no accounts of military exploits connected with his service have been preserved, the description of his large household testifies to the important administrative and judicial role he fulfilled in Israel during a turbulent period in the nation's history.