Who was a bad judge in the Bible?

Asked by: Gregg Friesen  |  Last update: February 16, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (37 votes)

The Bible features several "bad" or morally flawed judges in the Book of Judges, with the most prominent examples being Samson, known for his lust and impulsiveness; Gideon, who led Israel into idolatry after his victory; and Jephthah, infamous for his rash vow sacrificing his daughter. Even more tyrannical was Abimelech, who murdered his brothers to seize power, acting more like a brutal king than a judge. These figures, often anti-heroes, highlight Israel's decline, yet God used them to achieve His purposes, showing humanity's weaknesses juxtaposed with divine action.

Were there any bad judges in the Bible?

The last judge, Samson (Judg. 13-16), is by far the worst. His life began full of promise, but he had no regard for the God of Israel, and he was promiscuous, violent, and arrogant. He brutally won strategic victories over the Philistines, but only at the expense of his integrity.

Who was the unjust judge in the Bible?

Clearly, the unjust judge does not represent anything beyond himself. He is not a symbol for God, or the devil, or anyone else. Instead, he is a character that Jesus invents in order to develop a comparison that stresses the Lord's willingness to hear and respond to the prayers of His people.

What sin did Gideon commit?

Gideon's main sin was falling into idolatry after his great victory, specifically by creating a golden ephod (a priestly garment) from the spoils of war, which became an idol and a snare leading Israel back into spiritual adultery, despite his initial success in destroying pagan altars. He also displayed pride, greed (taking excessive gold), and sought worldly kingship rather than complete reliance on God, leading to a tragic downfall and leaving a legacy of corruption. 

What does the Bible say about bad judges?

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Book of Judges Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

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What is the parable of the corrupt judge?

The Parable of the Unjust Judge (also known as the Parable of the Importunate Widow or the Parable of the Persistent Woman) is one of the parables of Jesus which appears in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 18:1–8). In it, a judge who lacks compassion is repeatedly approached by a woman seeking justice.

What does Isaiah 43-19 really mean?

Isaiah 43:19 means God promises to bring new hope and provision in seemingly impossible situations, making a way through wilderness and rivers in the desert, urging people to look past past troubles and recognize His transformative work that's already beginning. It's a message of restoration, a call to spiritual awareness, and a promise of God's unfailing ability to create new paths and bring life where there appears to be none.
 

What killed Gideon in the Bible?

As soon as Gideon died of old age, the Israelites again turned to worship the false god Baal Berith and ignored the family of Gideon (Judges 8:33). Gideon was succeeded for a brief time as ruler of Shechem by his son Abimelech.

Who saw God face to face in the Bible?

In the Bible, Jacob, Moses, and the Seventy Elders are described as seeing God or His likeness "face to face," though interpretations vary, with Jacob wrestling a divine being and Moses experiencing God's presence intimately but only seeing His back, not His face, as no man can see God's face and live, highlighting the distinction between direct, unmediated vision and profound personal encounters. Other figures like Abraham, Isaiah, and Ezekiel also had significant visions of God or His glory, but Moses and Jacob are most directly associated with the "face to face" phrase.
 

Why did God choose Gideon as a judge?

God chose Gideon because his weakness would give God the greater glory. It is through our weaknesses that people get to see a demonstration of God's power and strength. But we have to accept His agenda. Paul nails this in 2 Corinthians 12.

What is the parable of the evil judge?

When a woman comes to a wicked judge for help, the judge refuses and says her problems don't matter. But the woman doesn't give up; she comes to the judge every day to ask for help. Jesus reassures the people that God is not like the wicked judge; God loves when we pray to Him, and He always listens.

What does Lydia's story teach us?

Lydia's story teaches us about openness to God's word, faith translated into action, the significance of hospitality, honoring God through everyday work, and the vital role of women in ministry, demonstrating how one receptive heart and generous spirit can launch a Christian movement, starting with her household and home becoming a church hub. She shows that God uses both worldly business and faith, transforming ordinary resources (like purple dye) for extraordinary purposes, and that true belief leads to generosity and service. 

Who was the judge that killed Jesus?

Pontius Pilate (Latin: Pontius Pilatus; Greek: Πόντιος Πιλᾶτος, romanized: Póntios Pilátos) was the fifth governor of the Roman province of Judaea, serving under Emperor Tiberius from 26/27 to 36/37 AD. He is best known for being the official who presided over the trial of Jesus and ultimately ordered his crucifixion.

What does the Bible say about war in Israel in the last days?

The Bible describes significant warfare in and around Israel during the "last days," primarily focused on Jerusalem, with prophecies in Zechariah 12 and Revelation 12 highlighting a massive gathering of nations against Jerusalem, culminating in battles like Armageddon, where God intervenes to protect His people and establish His kingdom, involving both physical conflict and spiritual warfare. 

What does John 16-33 really mean?

John 16:33 means Jesus warns his followers they'll face trouble ("tribulation") in the world but encourages them to "take heart" (be courageous) because He has already overcome the world's challenges (sin, death, evil), offering His peace and victory to believers through His upcoming crucifixion, resurrection, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, assuring them they aren't alone in their struggles.
 

Who are the six minor judges?

The six minor judges are Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. These judges were more than judicial administra- tors; they also were divinely appointed deliverers of God's people.

Who saw God and went blind?

Samson: The Man Who Saw God in His Blindness. One of the most remarkable stories in all of the Bible is the story of Samson. He was the strong man; judge of Israel and arch nemesis of the Philistines.

Why were Moses not allowed to see God's face?

According to the biblical text, Moses asked to see God's glory, but God replied that no human can see His face and live (Exodus 33:20). Instead, God allowed Moses to see His "back" or "afterglow" (Exodus 33:23), which some interpret as a metaphorical or symbolic representation of God's presence.

What was the sin of Gideon?

Gideon's main sin was falling into idolatry after his great victory, specifically by creating a golden ephod (a priestly garment) from the spoils of war, which became an idol and a snare leading Israel back into spiritual adultery, despite his initial success in destroying pagan altars. He also displayed pride, greed (taking excessive gold), and sought worldly kingship rather than complete reliance on God, leading to a tragic downfall and leaving a legacy of corruption. 

What was Gideon's major flaw?

Gideon's main problem was fear. God told Gideon that He wanted to save the people of Israel from the Midianites. God said He would use Gideon to lead His people to win this victory. But Gideon was afraid and he needed several miraculous signs to finally agree to follow God.

Why did Gideon not trust God?

In the immediate context, we see that Gideon is hesitant and doubtful right from the start. First, he blames God for Israel's condition and doesn't believe God is with him (Jdg. 6:11-13); second, he doubts his own ability to be used by God (6:14-16); and third, he then tests God by asking him for a sign (6:17-18).

What does it mean even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs?

The phrase "even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs" means that even those considered low in status can benefit from the overflow of blessings or resources meant for the privileged, demonstrating great humility and faith by accepting even the smallest portion of grace or help, as seen in the biblical story where a Gentile woman uses it to ask Jesus for healing for her daughter, emphasizing that any small blessing from God's bounty is sufficient for her. 

How do I recognize when God is doing a new thing?

Teaching Points

  1. God is doing a new thing even when you cannot perceive it.
  2. To receive the new you must release the old.
  3. Old mindsets and old habits cannot hold new spiritual wine.
  4. God moves in different ways at different times so do not limit Him.
  5. Obedience reveals the blessing and unlocks supernatural results.

What does the number 43 mean in the Bible?

While the Bible doesn't assign a singular, direct meaning to the number 43, its significance often comes from the context of specific verses (like John 5:43, Jesus' warning about false prophets, or Isaiah 43, God's promise of redemption) or numerical symbolism (4 for creation, 3 for divine completeness). It can also relate to specific counts, like those in Numbers 4:43 (men aged 30-50 serving in the Tabernacle), or be seen as a composite of numbers 40 (testing/tribulation) and 3 (divine perfection).