Who are the 6 minor judges?

Asked by: Lelia Moore  |  Last update: September 27, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (33 votes)

There are also brief glosses on six minor judges: Shamgar (Judges 3:31; after Ehud), Tola and Jair (10:1–5), Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon (12:8–15; after Jephthah). Some scholars have inferred that the minor judges were actual adjudicators, whereas the major judges were leaders and did not actually make legal judgements.

Who are the minor judges in judges?

Tola was from Ephraim and Jair was from Gilead. Both “judged Israel.” From a literary point of view, the so-called “minor judges” here–alone with Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon in 12:8-15–frame the more developed, though tragic, story of JephthahJudge who sacrificed his daughter to keep a vow..

Who are the 7 judges in the Bible?

Judges mentioned in the Hebrew Bible

The Book of Judges mentions twelve leaders who are said to "judge" Israel: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, and Samson.

Why are all of the minor judges that don't have full cycles mentioned?

The other six are referred to as minor judges because little or nothing is said about them in the book (Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon). Eli and Samuel, who may overlap the last judges, may be classified as judges, but they are not treated until the book of Samuel.

Who was the sixth judge in the Bible?

6. Tola. Tola, son of Puah, was a “minor judge” (which just means the Bible doesn't say much about him) who led Israel for 23 years after the death of Abimelech (Gideon's son). He was from the tribe of Issachar, and his grandfather was a man named Dodo.

The 12 Judges of Israel - Characteristics & Their Impact Explained!

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Who are the six minor judges in the Bible?

There are also brief glosses on six minor judges: Shamgar (Judges 3:31; after Ehud), Tola and Jair (10:1–5), Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon (12:8–15; after Jephthah). Some scholars have inferred that the minor judges were actual adjudicators, whereas the major judges were leaders and did not actually make legal judgements.

How many female judges are in the Bible?

According to the Book of Judges, Deborah (Hebrew: דְּבוֹרָה, Dəḇōrā) was a prophetess of Judaism, the fourth Judge of pre-monarchic Israel, and the only female judge mentioned in the Hebrew Bible.

What is the difference between major and minor judges in the Bible?

The six major judges are grouped in two sets of three: Othniel, Ehud, and Deborah/Barak and then Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson. The so-called minor judges are very brief accounts (three verses or less) and lack most of the formulaic elements contained in the major judges.

Was Joshua a judge in the Bible?

Joshua was a captain and a judge, so was Gideon, Jephtha, Sampson, &c. Deborah and Samuel were prophets and judges, Eli and Samuel were priests and judges, for Samuel was both a priest and a prophet. And lastly of the kings, David was both a prophet and a king.

What is the cycle of judges in the Bible?

God's sending of judges to Israel repeatedly followed a fourfold cycle: apostasy: the Israelites do what is evil in the sight of the Lord; servitude: God allows the nation to be conquered and oppressed by a neighboring nation; supplication: the people cry out to God; and.

Who was the female judge in the Bible?

Deborah was a prophet, poet, and the only female judge of Israel named in the Old Testament. Legend states that based on a vision, she called up General Barak and the forces of Israel to battle against the Canaanite general Sisera.

How old was Samson in the Bible when he died?

However, even in his weakness, Samson was able to use his strength one last time to bring the house down on the Philistines and kill them. According to the Bible, he died at the age of 40. Samson is considered to be a symbol of the dangers of temptation and the importance of keeping one's commitments to God.

Was Ruth related to Abraham?

Ruth was “of the women of Moab” but was related to Israel through Lot, the nephew of Abraham (Ruth 1:4; Genesis 11:31). Ruth lived in the period of the judges. She married the son of an Israelite family while they were living in Moab, but then her father-in-law, husband, and husband's only brother all passed away.

Who were the 6 major judges in order?

The exploits of six of these—Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson—are related at length, and all are shown to have delivered Israel from oppression or danger.

Why are judges called judges?

They are derived from the same Latin term, jus, which is defined in dictionaries as “right” and “law.” However, those definitions of jus are so broad that they obscure the details of what the term meant when it formed the words that eventually became justice and judge.

How do you address a retired judge?

Whether walking into a local restaurant or attending a community event, former judges will continue to be addressed as “judge.” Judges will be hired for jobs not only for their judicial experience, but also for the positive “label” that having a former judge on payroll will bring.

Who is Joshua's wife in the Bible?

cit.). An additional midrashic teaching lists a number of converts who became part of the families of Israelite leaders, for example: Joseph married Asenath, Joshua married Rahab, Boaz married Ruth, and Moses took the daughter of Hobab (= Jethro) (Eccl. Rabbah 8:10:1).

Was Elijah a judge in the Bible?

Biblical narrative. Eli was a priest (kohen) of Shiloh, the second-to-last Israelite judge (succeeded only by Samuel) before the rule of the Kings of Israel and Judah.

Why did Moses change Joshua's name?

His new name is 'Joshua' which means 'Jehovah is the Savior'. The old name was a good name, but Moses changed for a better one, making it more personal. As you see, Joshua did not depend on his strength. He declared that the Promised Land must be conquered thru faith in Jehovah God.

Who was the last judge in the Bible?

Samuel lived at the end of the period of the judges and ushered in the period of kingship. He was Israel's last judge (1 Sam 7:6, 15‑17) and first prophet (3:20; Acts 3:24; 13:20).

What did God promise David?

In summary, the promise is that: David's seed will be the Son of God. David's seed will build a house for God's name. David's seed will reign for ever from David's throne in Jerusalem.

Was Micah a judge in Israel?

Micah was an Ephraimite who was the founder of the idolatry and false priesthood of the Tribe of Dan. Micah lived during a period of time where there was no King, nor Judge over Israel to keep the people in line with God's commands.

Who was the only female judge in the Bible?

The only female judge, the only one to be called a prophet, and the only one described as performing a judicial function, Deborah is a decisive figure in the defeat of the Canaanites. This is a victory told in two accounts, a prose narrative in Judges 4 and a poem, known as the Song of Deborah, in Judges 5.

Who is the woman preacher in the Bible?

Which women in the Bible preached and taught of Christ? Mary Magdalene was the first witness of Jesus Christ's resurrection and spread the word to the Twelve Apostles. In Mark 16: 9-10, it says Mary “went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.” She taught of the resurrected Christ.

Was Samson a judge in the Bible?

Samson (/ˈsæmsən/; Hebrew: שִׁמְשׁוֹן Šīmšōn "man of the sun") was the last of the judges of the ancient Israelites mentioned in the Book of Judges (chapters 13 to 16) and one of the last leaders who "judged" Israel before the institution of the monarchy.