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Again, Israel did evil, and for seven years, they were oppressed by the Midianites. The Midianites would swarm in whenever the Israelites planted crops, ruining the harvest. They did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. The people made hiding places in the caves of the mountains, and life became so difficult that they were impoverished. | Again, Israel did evil, and for seven years, they were oppressed by the Midianites. The Midianites would swarm in whenever the Israelites planted crops, ruining the harvest. They did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. The people made hiding places in the caves of the mountains, and life became so difficult that they were impoverished. | ||
In response to their cries, God raised up [[Gideon]] as a judge. The first thing Gideon did was tear down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah pole. Because of this act of defiance against Baal, Gideon was given the name “Jerub-Baal,” which means “contender with Baal.” | In response to their cries, God raised up [[Gideon]] as a judge. The first thing Gideon did was to tear down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah pole. Because of this act of defiance against Baal, Gideon was given the name “Jerub-Baal,” which means “contender with Baal.” | ||
Afterward, he gathered an army of 32,000 men and set out toward the enemy’s camp. Despite the Midianite army numbering 135,000, God told Gideon that Israel’s army was too large. He instructed Gideon to send home those who were afraid, and 22,000 men returned. From the remaining 10,000, God chose only 300 men who lapped the water instead of kneeling down to drink, and sent the rest away. | Afterward, he gathered an army of 32,000 men and set out toward the enemy’s camp. Despite the Midianite army numbering 135,000, God told Gideon that Israel’s army was too large. He instructed Gideon to send home those who were afraid, and 22,000 men returned. From the remaining 10,000, God chose only 300 men who lapped the water instead of kneeling down to drink, and sent the rest away. | ||
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Gideon’s son, Abimelech, killed his 70 brothers and conspired with his relatives in Shechem to become king. However, he was soon betrayed and was killed by a millstone thrown by a woman, receiving the punishment for his evil deeds. After Abimelech’s death, Tola became a judge and ruled for 23 years. Then, Jair became the judge of Israel for 22 years. | Gideon’s son, Abimelech, killed his 70 brothers and conspired with his relatives in Shechem to become king. However, he was soon betrayed and was killed by a millstone thrown by a woman, receiving the punishment for his evil deeds. After Abimelech’s death, Tola became a judge and ruled for 23 years. Then, Jair became the judge of Israel for 22 years. | ||
After Jair’s death, the Israelites once again abandoned God and served the Baals | After Jair’s death, the Israelites once again abandoned God and served the Baals, the Ashtoreths, and the gods of the surrounding foreign nations. God was infuriated with them, and brought Israel to be oppressed by the Philistines and the Ammonites. The Israelites living in Gilead, east of the [[Jordan|Jordan River]], endured severe oppression for 18 years. The Ammonites also attacked the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim on the other side of the Jordan. The Israelites forsook their [[Idol|idols]] and repented to God. At that time, God raised up a judge, Jephthah, a man from Gilead. | ||
Jephthah, who lived in the land of Tob, achieved a great victory over the Ammonites. However, in the battle against the Ammonites, he made a rash vow to God, promising to offer as a burnt offering the first person to greet him upon his return home if he was granted victory. Unfortunately, the first to meet him was his only daughter, whom he ultimately had to sacrifice. Jephthah served as a judge and ruled over Israel for six years. After Jephthah’s death, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel for seven years, Elon of the tribe of Zebulun judged for ten years, and Abdon, a man from Pirathon in Ephraim judged for eight years.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+12%3A8-15&version=NIV |title=Judges 12:8–15 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+12%3A11&version=NIV |title=Judges 12:11 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+12%3A13-14&version=NIV |title=Judges 12:13–14|publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | Jephthah, who lived in the land of Tob, achieved a great victory over the Ammonites. However, in the battle against the Ammonites, he made a rash vow to God, promising to offer as a burnt offering the first person to greet him upon his return home if he was granted victory. Unfortunately, the first to meet him was his only daughter, whom he ultimately had to sacrifice. Jephthah served as a judge and ruled over Israel for six years. After Jephthah’s death, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel for seven years, Elon of the tribe of Zebulun judged for ten years, and Abdon, a man from Pirathon in Ephraim judged for eight years.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+12%3A8-15&version=NIV |title=Judges 12:8–15 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+12%3A11&version=NIV |title=Judges 12:11 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+12%3A13-14&version=NIV |title=Judges 12:13–14|publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 18:32, 22 January 2025
| Judges | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | Jdg |
| Class. | Old Testament |
| Category | Book of History |
| Chapters | 21 Chapters |
| Record Related | |
| Writer | Presumed to be Samuel |
| Date (Approx.) | Approx. 1000 B.C. |
| Location | Canaan |
The book of Judges, the seventh book of the Old Testament, recounts the recurring cycle of the Israelites settling in Canaan: falling into sin against God, facing invasions from neighboring nations, God’s raising up a judge and delivering them, and reminding them of His steadfast love. This book serves as a testament to God’s love, illustrating His judgment on the sins of the Israelites while patiently waiting for their repentance and return to Him.
Writer of Judges
Although it is not known who wrote this book, it is generally thought to be Samuel, who was a prophet and judge at the end of the Age of the Judges and the beginning of the Age of the Kingdom.
Features
In the book of Judges, “Israel’s sin → discipline → repentance → salvation (through the judges)” is repeated.
① When the Israelites sinned, ② they were handed over to the oppressor and suffered, ③ and when the people repented, ④ God appointed judges to save them and govern them. As long as a judge reigned, peace was maintained; however, ⑤ whenever a judge died, Israel immediately returned to idolatry.[1]
Judge
Judges are political and military leaders who led the Israelites from the time they entered the land of Canaan until the first king, Saul, was appointed. The Hebrew word judge is shophet, which is derived from shaphat, which means to judge or govern. During ordinary times, the judges set judgments and settled the people’s lawsuits and disputes, and in times of emergency they worked as military leaders.[2]
The judges held various occupations and positions, and when their mission was completed, most of them returned to their original positions; the position of a judge was not hereditary. In the book of Judges, there are twelve judges: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, and Samson. Although not mentioned in the book of Judges, Samuel is regarded as the last judge.[3]
Composition of the Book of Judges
| Chapters | Content | |
| Chs. 1–2 | Failure of Conquest of Canaan and Israel’s Sin | |
| Ch. 3 | Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar | Activities of the Twelve Judges |
| Chs. 4–5 | Deborah | |
| Chs. 6–8 | Gideon | |
| Chs. 9–12 | Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon | |
| Chs. 13–16 | Samson | |
| Chs. 17–21 | Corruption of Israel (Micah, Danites, Benjamites) | |
Failure of Conquest of Canaan and Israel’s Sin (Chapters 1–2)
After Joshua’s death and the passing of the generation that had witnessed God’s power in leading Israel into Canaan, the Israelites gradually forgot about God as subsequent generations arose.
As a result of failing to drive out all the foreign nations during the early stages of the conquest of Canaan, later generations of the Israelites began to worship the Canaanite gods that those nations served. As a result, they provoked God’s anger and were oppressed by neighboring nations. However, God did not abandon Israel but raised up judges to deliver them from the hands of their enemies. Yet, whenever a judge died, the people returned to their rebellion and committed even greater sins.
Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar (Chapter 3)
Because Israel sinned by serving Baal and Asherah, they were oppressed for eight years under the rule of the king of Mesopotamia. God heard the people’s cries and raised up Othniel, the nephew of Caleb, as the first judge. He defeated the king of Mesopotamia in battle, and Israel enjoyed peace for 40 years.
However, when Israel again did evil and became slaves to Moab, Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin, became a judge, and successfully subdued Moab. Afterward, Israel enjoyed peace for 80 years. After Ehud, Shamgar became a judge. He struck down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad and saved Israel.
Deborah, the Female Judge (Chapters 4–5)
The Israelites sinned against God and suffered under the oppression of King Jabin of Canaan for 20 years. During this time, the prophetess Deborah, following God’s command, appointed Barak as the commander and gathered an army of 10,000 men from the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali to go to war together. The Canaanites were defeated in battle, and their army commander, Sisera, was killed by a woman named Jael. Deborah, along with Barak, composed and sang a song of praise to God for the victory He had given Israel. Afterward, Israel enjoyed peace for 40 years.
Gideon and His 300 Warriors (Chapters 6–8)
Again, Israel did evil, and for seven years, they were oppressed by the Midianites. The Midianites would swarm in whenever the Israelites planted crops, ruining the harvest. They did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. The people made hiding places in the caves of the mountains, and life became so difficult that they were impoverished.
In response to their cries, God raised up Gideon as a judge. The first thing Gideon did was to tear down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah pole. Because of this act of defiance against Baal, Gideon was given the name “Jerub-Baal,” which means “contender with Baal.”
Afterward, he gathered an army of 32,000 men and set out toward the enemy’s camp. Despite the Midianite army numbering 135,000, God told Gideon that Israel’s army was too large. He instructed Gideon to send home those who were afraid, and 22,000 men returned. From the remaining 10,000, God chose only 300 men who lapped the water instead of kneeling down to drink, and sent the rest away.
Gideon and his 300 warriors, holding trumpets in one hand and hidden torches in empty jars in the other, launched a surprise attack on the Midianite army. In the middle of the night, when they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars, holding torches in their left hands and trumpets in their right hands, the startled Midianite soldiers began fighting each other with their swords. Gideon’s warriors relentlessly pursued the fleeing Midianite army to the end, achieving victory, and also destroyed the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna. The defeated Midianites were never able to rise again, and Israel enjoyed peace for forty years until the death of Gideon. The people tried to make Gideon their king, but he refused, saying, “The LORD will rule over Israel.” After his death, the Israelites turned away from God and served Baal.
The Repeated Sins of Israel and God’s Salvation (Chapters 9–12)
Gideon’s son, Abimelech, killed his 70 brothers and conspired with his relatives in Shechem to become king. However, he was soon betrayed and was killed by a millstone thrown by a woman, receiving the punishment for his evil deeds. After Abimelech’s death, Tola became a judge and ruled for 23 years. Then, Jair became the judge of Israel for 22 years.
After Jair’s death, the Israelites once again abandoned God and served the Baals, the Ashtoreths, and the gods of the surrounding foreign nations. God was infuriated with them, and brought Israel to be oppressed by the Philistines and the Ammonites. The Israelites living in Gilead, east of the Jordan River, endured severe oppression for 18 years. The Ammonites also attacked the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim on the other side of the Jordan. The Israelites forsook their idols and repented to God. At that time, God raised up a judge, Jephthah, a man from Gilead.
Jephthah, who lived in the land of Tob, achieved a great victory over the Ammonites. However, in the battle against the Ammonites, he made a rash vow to God, promising to offer as a burnt offering the first person to greet him upon his return home if he was granted victory. Unfortunately, the first to meet him was his only daughter, whom he ultimately had to sacrifice. Jephthah served as a judge and ruled over Israel for six years. After Jephthah’s death, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel for seven years, Elon of the tribe of Zebulun judged for ten years, and Abdon, a man from Pirathon in Ephraim judged for eight years.[4][5][6]
Samson (Chapters 13–16)
The last judge mentioned in the book of Judges is Samson. He served as a judge over Israel for 20 years. Samson was set apart as a Nazirite even before his birth. Nazirites are individuals who make a vow to dedicate themselves to God by avoiding anything that comes from the grapevine or any fermented drink, refraining from cutting their hair, and not touching dead bodies. At the time of Samson’s birth, Israel was under the rule of the Philistines. God gave Samson great strength, enabling him to tear apart a lion with his bare hands and kill 1,000 Philistines with a donkey’s jawbone. The Philistines, through a woman named Delilah, sought to discover the source of his strength. Samson succumbed to Delilah’s temptation and revealed the vow he had made with God, that his hair should never be cut. As a result, he lost his strength when his hair was shaved, and he was captured by the Philistines. They gouged out his eyes and subjected him to all kinds of mockery. He offered one last prayer to God for strength, and he brought down the temple of Dagon, killing both the Philistines inside the temple and himself.
Corruption of Israel (Chapters 17–21)
Micah, from the hill country of Ephraim, built a shrine in his house, set up an ephod and household idols, and appointed his own son as a priest. Then, Micah took in a young Levite who had left Bethlehem in Judah and made him his priest, hoping that God would bless him because a Levite was now serving as his priest.
At that time, the tribe of Dan, unable to secure land due to the pressure from the Philistines, sought to find a new place to settle. They knew that Micah’s house contained the ephod, household idols, and other idols, so they took them by force, and they also took the young Levite to be their priest for their tribe. The tribe of Dan captured the city of Laish and renamed it Dan, after their tribe.[7]
The reason for the repeated idol worship and moral decay in Israel during the time of the judges was that the people did not consider God, but instead judged and acted according to their own thoughts of right and wrong.[8]