Main Judges of Israel in the Old Testament
The judges of Israel were leaders raised by God to deliver the Israelites from oppression and administer justice during the period between the death of Joshua and the establishment of the monarchy under Saul [1, 4]. This era is primarily chronicled in the biblical book of Judges, which derives its name from these figures [5]. The office of a judge was held for life but was not hereditary, nor could they appoint their successors [4]. Their authority was limited by the law, and in complex cases, they were directed to consult priests [4].
The book of Judges details the history of thirteen judges [5]. The first judge mentioned is Othniel, Caleb's nephew, who delivered Israel from Cushan-rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia [12, 13, 14]. Following Othniel, Ehud, from the tribe of Benjamin, is noted as a judge [7]. Other prominent judges include Deborah, who judged Israel from under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel, and Gideon, who delivered Israel from the Midianites [6]. Samson, known for his extraordinary strength, also served as a judge [1].
The role of these judges was primarily that of deliverers and war leaders, after which they would administer justice [1]. Their power often extended only over specific portions of the country, and some judges were contemporaneous [1]. The period of the judges was characterized by general anarchy and confusion, with the judges providing a form of temporary government [4].
Later, Samuel, who is also described as a judge, appointed his sons as judges over Israel when he grew old [3, 16]. Samuel's judicial circuit included Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah [18]. The Targum Jonathan states that Samuel judged Israel throughout his life [9].
Beyond the biblical narrative of the book of Judges, other figures are mentioned as judges. For instance, Ibzan of Bethlehem is identified as the tenth judge of Israel, ruling for seven years [2, 8]. Some Jewish rabbinic traditions, such as those found in the Babylonian Talmud, mention other prominent judges in Jerusalem, such as Admon and Ḥanan ben Avishalom, and sometimes Naḥum HaMadi, who issued decrees [10, 11]. Some Jewish scholars have also suggested that Boaz, a figure from the book of Ruth, might be identified with Ibzan [17]. The judges were considered God's vicegerents, retaining their dignity for life, but there was no regular succession; individuals were prompted by divine impulse to achieve deliverance for the nation [15].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Judges — The judges were temporary and special deliverers, sent by God to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors; not supreme magistrates, succeeding to the authority of Moses and Joshua. Their power only extended over portions of the country, and some of them were contemporaneous. Their first work was that of deliverers and leaders in war; they then administered justice to the people, and their authority supplied the want of a regular government. Even while the administration of Samuel gave something like a settled government to the south, there was scope for t”
- Judges “Judges 12:8 (LEB) — After him Ibzan from Bethlehem judged Israel.”
- I Samuel “I Samuel 8:1 (LEB) — When Samuel grew old he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Judge — (Heb. shophet, pl. shophetim), properly a magistrate or ruler, rather than one who judges in the sense of trying a cause. This is the name given to those rulers who presided over the affairs of the Israelites during the interval between the death of Joshua and the accession of Saul (Judg. 2:18), a period of general anarchy and confusion. "The office of judges or regents was held during life, but it was not hereditary, neither could they appoint their successors. Their authority was limited by the law alone, and in doubtful cases they were directed to consult ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Judges, Book of — Is so called because it contains the history of the deliverance and government of Israel by the men who bore the title of the "judges." The book of Ruth originally formed part of this book, but about A.D. 450 it was separated from it and placed in the Hebrew scriptures immediately after the Song of Solomon. The book contains, (1.) An introduction (1-3:6), connecting it with the previous narrative in Joshua, as a "link in the chain of books." (2.) The history of the thirteen judges (3:7-16:31) in the following order: | FIRST PERIOD (3:7-ch. 5) | Year”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Courts of Justice — Have authority from God -- Ro 13:1-5. Superior court Held first by Moses alone in the wilderness. -- Ex 18:13-20. Consisted subsequently of priests and Levites. -- De 17:9; Mal 2:7. Presided over by the governor or the high priest. -- De 17:12; Jdj 4:4,5. Held at the seat of government. -- De 17:8. Decided on all appeals and difficult cases. -- Ex 18:26; De 1:17; 17:8,9. Decisions of, conclusive. -- De 17:10,11. Inferior court In all cities. -- De 16:18; 2Ch 19:5-7. Held at the gates. -- Ge 34:20; De 16:18; 21:19; Job 5:4. Judges of, appointed by ”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H0164G — Judge living before Israel's Monarchy (refs: #A Judge from the tribe of Benjamin living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.3.15; <b)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Ibzan — Illustrious, the tenth judge of Israel (Judg. 12:8-10). He ruled seven years.”
- Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on I Samuel 7:15: Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Ketubot 104b.19: MISHNA: There were two prominent judges who issued decrees in Jerusalem, Admon and Ḥanan ben Avishalom. Ḥanan states two matters about which the Sages disagreed; Admon states seven. The mishna elaborates: With regard to the case of one who went overseas and his wife is demanding sustenance, claiming that her husband left her without funds and she is seeking a ruling that would provide for her from her husband’s property, Ḥanan says:”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Ketubot 105a.5: The Gemara raises a contradiction between the baraita cited above and another baraita : There were three prominent judges who issued decrees in Jerusalem: Admon, Ḥanan, and Naḥum. In the previous baraita , Naḥum was not listed. Rav Pappa said: Who is the tanna who taught that the third judge was Naḥum? It is Rabbi Natan, as it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Natan says: Naḥum HaMadi was also among those who would issue decrees in Jerusalem, but the Sages did not agree with his opinion.”
- Joshua (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Joshua 15:17: 15:17 Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, became Israel’s first judge (Judg 3:9-11).”
- 1 Chronicles (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Chronicles 4:13: And the sons of Kenaz,.... Who was either the son of Chelub, or of Eshton: Othniel, and Seraiah; the first of these is he who is mentioned, Jos 15:17 and was the first judge in Israel: and the son of Othniel, Hathath; and the next mentioned.”
- 1 Chronicles (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Chronicles 4:13: And the sons of Kenaz,.... Who was either the son of Chelub, or of Eshton: Othniel, and Seraiah; the first of these is he who is mentioned, Jos 15:17 and was the first judge in Israel: and the son of Othniel, Hathath; and the next mentioned.”
- Judges (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Judges 2:16: which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them--The judges who governed Israel were strictly God's vicegerents in the government of the people, He being the supreme ruler. Those who were thus elevated retained the dignity as long as they lived; but there was no regular, unbroken succession of judges. Individuals, prompted by the inward, irresistible impulse of God's Spirit when they witnessed the depressed state of their country, were roused to achieve its deliverance. It was usually accompanied by a special call, and the people seeing”
- Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on I Samuel 8:1: When Samuel became old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.”
- Judges (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Judges 12:8: And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. There were two Bethlehems, one in the tribe of Zebulun, Jos 19:15 of which some think this man was; and another in the tribe of Judah, the city of Jesse and David, and of the Messiah; and Josephus says (x), Ibzan was of the tribe of Judah, of the city of Bethlehem; and because Boaz was of the same place, and lived in the times of the judges, the Jewish Rabbins (y) are of opinion that he is the same with Ibzan; so Jarchi and Ben Gersom. (x) Antiqu. l. 5. c. 7. sect. 13. (y) T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 91. 1.”
- Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on I Samuel 7:16: And he used to go on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he was judging Israel, all these places.”