The Book of Judges

I. Title

The title, Judges, is the same in both the Hebrew original and in the Greek translation. It was derived frrom the content of the book, rather than its author.

II. Author

The author of the book of Judges is unknown. The book covers events from Joshua's death, around 1380 BC (taking an early date for the Exodus) until close to the time of Samuel (c. 1075 BC), who can be pictured as being the last judge before the beginning of the monarchal period (although Samuel and his time do not form part of the story of the book of Judges).

III. An Outline of Judges

I. The Time of the Elders 1:1-2:10

II. The Time of the Judges 2:11-16:31

III. A Picture of Anarchy 17-21

Questions on Judges

1. What is the theme phrase of the book of Judges?

2. Be able to give a biography of each person:

a. Othniel

b. Ehud

c. Shamgar

d. Deborah

e. Gideon (Jereb-Baal)

f. Abimelech

g. Gaal son of Ebed

h. Tola

i. Jair

j. Jephthah

k. Samson

l. Delilah

m. Micah

n. The Levite

3. Describe the war between Israel and the tribe of Benjamin.