The answer is: 8 years

Judges 12:14

Abdon, son of Hillel, served as a judge for Israel for eight years, which might not seem like a long time compared to some of his predecessors. Nevertheless, the number eight carries significant meaning in biblical contexts—it often symbolizes a new beginning or a new order. For instance, think of how circumcision was performed on the eighth day, marking the start of a boy's journey into the covenant community. Just like that, Abdon's eight-year judgement could symbolize new ventures for Israel, albeit briefly.

For those who may not be familiar, judges like Abdon were not just leaders or military commanders but also arbiters of Israelite law and local chieftains during a time of tribal confederacy. Every judge had their own set of challenges, and much like the judges before him, Abdon had to navigate the divisions and struggles facing his people.

Interestingly, Abdon was from the tribe of Ephraim, a tribe associated with strength and leadership throughout Israel’s history. In the culture of the time, his ability to command respect for his short stint might indicate that despite his short term, he could still carve meaningful legacy insights into Israelite society.

And let's not forget his father's name—Hillel. In Jewish tradition, Hillel is often associated with wisdom and understanding. So when you put it all together, even an 8-year reign can sometimes resonate louder than the years themselves, especially as part of the cyclical nature of the Judges’ period, where peaks and valleys in leadership continuously shaped Israel's identity.