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Judges of Israel Reference Chart
|
Judge and Tribe |
Scripture reference |
Major Events |
Enemies of Israel |
Period of Oppression |
Period of Rest |
| 1. Othniel (Judah)
Son of Kenaz the younger brother of Caleb |
Judges 1:11-15; 3:1-11; Joshua 15:16-19; 1Chron. 4:13 |
Othniel was the nephew of Caleb (Judges 3:11) and became his son-in-law after the capture of Kirjath Sepher (Judges 1:12-13) | Cushan-Rishathaim, King of Mesopotamia (Judges 3:8) | 8 Years (Judges 3:8) | 40 years (Judges 3:11) |
| 2. Ehud (Benjamin)
Son of Gera |
Judges 3:12-30 |
Ehud was a left-handed Benjamite who personally killed Eglon the fat king of Moab (Judges 3:21-22)
He led in the slaying of 10,000 Moabites (3:29). |
Eglon king of Moab; the Ammonites; the Amalekites (Judges 3:12-13) | 18 years (Judges 3:14) | 80 years (Judges 3:30) |
| 3. Shamgar (?) His name is not Hebrew. Son of Anath |
Judges 3:31-5:6 |
He killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad (Judges 3:31). The “Song of Deborah refers to “in the days of Shamgar ben Anath” in Judges 5:6; possibly the son of a mixed marriage = Hurrian/ Israelite? | Philistines (Judges 3:31) | Not given | Not given |
| 4. Deborah /Barak (Ephraim and Naphtali) |
Judges 4:1-5:31; 1 Samuel 12:11; Hebrews 11:32 |
Deborah was a prophetess and a judge. She was the wife of Lapidoth (Judges 4:4; 5:7). Deborah and her general, Barak, defeated Sisera, the general of the Army of Canaanite King Jabin of Hazor at the Battle of Kishon on Mt Tabor (4:13-16). The Song of Deborah (ch 15) recounts the great victory. Barak is listed among the “Heroes of the Faith” in Hebrew 11:32 | Jabin, Canaanite king of Hazor (Judges 4:2)
Sisera, general and vassal of Jabin; may have been a Hittite (Judges 4:2-22; 5:26-28) |
20 years (Judges 4:3) | 40 years |
| 5. Gideon (Manasseh)
Son of Joash the Abiezrite. |
Judges 6:1-8:32 Hebrews 11:32 |
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon at Ophrah (Judges 6:11-18). Gideon destroyed the altar of Baal (Judges 6:25-27). Seeking God’s will Gideon put out a fleece twice for a sign (6:36-40)
On God’s command he reduced the size of his army from 32,000 to 10,000 to 300 (7:2-8), and successfully routed the Midianite army (17:16-22). He took revenge on the men of Succoth and Penuel for not giving his army bread (8:5-9, 14-17). He killed the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna in revenge for the killing of his brothers at the battle of Mt. Tabor (8:18-21). He made a gold ephod that led the people into idolatry (8:24-27). |
Midianites (Judges 6:1,3,33; 7:12)
Amalekites (Judges 6:3, 33; 7:12) “People of the East” (Judges 6:3,33; 7:12) |
7 years ( Judges 6:1) | 40 years (Judges 8:28) |
| *Abimelech (Manasseh). Son of Gideon by a concubine
(*He usurped power and should not be counted as Yahweh’s judge) |
Judges 8:33-9:57 2Samuel 11:21 |
Abimeleck killed all his half brothers with the exception of Jotham, the youngest (Judges 9:5). He defeated Gaal (Judges 9:26-41), captured and then razed the city of Shechem (Judges 9:42-49). He was severely injured when a Thebezen woman threw down a millstone from the besieged city wall, which struck him on the head. He then had his armorbearer kill him with a sword (Judges 9:50-54). | Civil War | Abimelech usurped power and ruled 3 years (Judges 9:22) | |
| 6. Tola (Issachar)
Son of Puah |
Judges 10:1,2 |
Tola was probably from one of the leading clans of Issachar (Genesis 46:13; Numbers 26:23) | He judged Israel 23 years (Judges 10:2) | ||
| 7. Jair (Gilead-Manasseh) |
Judges 10:3-5 |
Jair may have been a descendant of the same Jair who distinguished himself during the days of Moses and Joshua (see Numbers 32:41; Deuteronomy 3:14; Joshua 13:30; 1Kings 4:13; 1Chronicles 2:21). He had 30 sons who were itinerant judges (10:4). | He judged Israel 22 years (Judges 10:3) | ||
| 8. Jephthah (Gilead-Manesseh) Son of Gilead by a harlot (Judges 11:1) |
Judges 10:6-12:7; Hebrews 11:32 |
Jephthah was the son of Gilead by a harlot (Judges 11:1); he was driven away by his half brothers (Judges11:2, 3). The Elders of Gilead brought him back and made him their chief at Mizpah (Judges 11:4-11). Jephtah refused to give up Gilead to the Ammonites (Judges 11:26). He fought the Ammonites and conquered some 20 cities (Judges 11:32,33). The swearing of a foolish vow cost him his daughter (11:31-40). He defeated the tribe of Ephraimites (12:1-16) who had been offended because they had not been asked to join in the battle against the Ammorites. | Philistines ( Judges 10:7)
Ammonites (10:7) Civil war with the tribe of Ephraim (12:4) |
18 years (Judges 10:8) | He judged Israel 6 years (Judges 12:7) |
| 9. Ibzan (?Judah or Zebulun) see Joshua 19:15 |
Judges 12:8-10 |
Ibzan was a socially prominent man who had 30 sons and 30 daughters for whom he arranged marriages. Jewish tradition identifies him with Boaz of Bethlehem-Judah. | Judged Israel 7 years | ||
| 10. Elon (Zebulun) |
Judges 12:11, 12 |
He was buried at Aijalon in Zebulun (Judg. 12:12) | Judged Israel 10 years | ||
| 11. Abdon (Ephraim) Son of Hillel |
Judges 12:13-15 |
Abdon, the son of Hillel was a man of wealth and prominence. He had 40 sons and 30 grandsons (Judges 12:14). He was a native of Pirathon and was later buried there (Judges 12:13,15) | Judged Israel 8 years (Judges 12:14) | ||
| 12. Samson (Dan) Son of Manoah |
Judges 13:1-16:31; Hebrews 11:32 |
An angel announced Samson’s birth. He was consecrated as a Nazarite from birth (Judges 13:5,7; 16:16; Numbers chapter 6). He had a fatal fondness for Philistine women. Samson was a man of immense strength: he killed a lion bear-handed (Judg14:5,6); he killed 30 Philistines atAshkelon(14:19), and “thousand” with a jawbone of an ass (Judges 15:14-19). Other amazing deeds included catching 300 foxes, tying them in pairs with torches and turning them loose to burn the gain fields of the Philistines (Judges 15:1-8), and carrying off the gate of Gaza (Judges 16:1-3). Samson was conquered by the Philistine girl, Deliah, who cut his hair, the source of his strength. He was blinded and imprisoned at Gaza (Judges 16:4-22). He called out to God who allowed his strength to return. He pulled down the Temple of Dagon killing himself and about 3,000 Philistines (Judges 16:23-31). | Philistines (Judges 13:1) | 40 years (Judges 13:1) | Judged Israel 20 years (Judges 15:20; 16:31) |
This reference chart was authored by Michal E. Hunt, “The Significance of Numbers in Scripture.” AgapeBibleStudy.com, 1998, Revised 2007.
Direct link: http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/charts/Chart%20of%20Judges%20of%20Israel.htm
