(Envy Mk.15:10/Matt.27:18...)

"Judges" of Israel

Jewish Encyclopedia

- JUDGES, PERIOD OF – ...Social Conditions. The present form of the Book of Judges has given rise to the phrase "time of the Judges," which covers the period from the death of Joshua ...down to the revival and consolidation of Israel as a kingdom under Saul. This period, however, does not correspond with that covered by the Book of Judges, which includes part of Joshua's period; and the events ...under the last two judges belong to the Book of Samuel. Moreover, the designation "Judges," as well as the account given of their activity in the book in its present form, is inadequate, as the term "judge" was...

- JUDGES, BOOK OF – ...it deals with the "Judges," a term which, according to the statements found in the book (comp. ii. 11-19 and the constantly recurring formulas in iii. 7, vi. 1; iii. 12, iv. 1, x. 6, xiii. 1; iii. 8, iv. 2, 9, x ...accordance with the needs of the time, their functions were primarily judicial (iv. 5). The book itself announces that it will deal with the time of the Judges from the death of Joshua; but the description of Joshua's ...of Judges give the conclusion of the history of the Judges; for the two stories appended to the book in its present form belong not to the end of that period, but to its beginning, and the narratives forming the...

"Judge" is the closest Literal translation of the Hebrew term used in the Masoretic text.

A Shophet (shofet) /Plural - Shoftim (Shophetim)- Biblical "judges"/

"Is a ruler or military leader as well as someone who presided over legal hearings".

- "In judges a (cyclical) Pattern is given to show the need for the varios judges: apostasy of Israelite people, Harship (brought on as punishment from G-D), crying out to the Lord for rescue.

- The judges were the successive individuals each from a different tribe chosen to rescue the people (kingdom) from their enemies and establish justice and the practice of Torah amongst Hebrews

Following the conquest of Canaan by Yehoshua <until the formation of > the 1st Kingdom of Israel (ca. 1150-1025 BC), the Israelite tribes formed a loose confederation. No central government had exsisted in this confederation and in times of crisis the people (tribes) were led by Ad Hoc Chieftains known as "Judges".

(Shoftim were chieftains who united various Israelite tribes in time of mutual danger to defeat foreign enemies)

(In Phoenicia - A non royal magistrate)

Documentation in the Torah

*Deut.16:18-19 "Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment." Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

Shoftim - Deuteronomy 16:18 - "You shall set up judges and law enforcement officials for yourself in all your cities that the Lord, your G-d, is giving you, for your tribes, and they shall judge the people [with] righteous judgment."

Moshe urges the Jewish nation to make sure its court system is established with highly qualified judges who also have impeccable character".

*Ex.18

You shall set up judges and law enforcement officials for yourself in all your cities that the Lord, your God, is giving you, for your tribes, and they shall judge the people [with] righteous judgment.- Tanach

Elders of the tribes, Fruitful People of "good" local reputation, ...

Jewish library Pharisees, Saducees, Essenes 

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In Deut.16 (:18-19) we see mention of this order and then warned about respect of persons and corruption (through taking bribes and so on...). This shows that just cause one is given the position that doesn't make them perfect. Messiah warned us about leaven. Yeshua boldly confronted money changers in the temple (courtyard) that were taking advantage of "weights and measures" pertaining to things people were buying in the courtyard. Matt.21:12 Mark 11:15 Luke 19:45, and Jn. 2:14-15

(weights and measures-  Pro.20:10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to  the LORD. (vs.23; 11:1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.; 16:11 A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work./ see note Companion Bible 3:32, Deut.25:13). This type of unfair measures and dealings was a transgression against G-D's House (Temple). (Acts 5)

(Deut.17:5)

Judges 4:4- Deborah

Deut.17:9-10 (Levitical priests)

Num.35:33; 32:34

Pro.14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. (30-35)

Ps.118:6,8 (Ps.40:4, Jer.17:5/ 1 Jn.2:27, Ps.146:3)

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Responses or comments welcome. G-D is in control and His Will is the way of Righteousness (, life, and blessings). Be Very Cautious who you give authority in your walk. Shalom

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