The book of Judges tells of the various leaders raised up to deliver Israel from the enemies remaining in the land after the conquest under Joshua.
The events in Judges took place in the period between Joshua’s death and the birth of Samuel (c. 1100 BC).
The Judges of Israel (c. 1375–1050 BC) came from various tribes and regions of Israel. They likely held varying degrees of influence over their neighboring regions and tribes.
| Judge (Tribe) | Scripture | Oppressor | Years of Oppression | Years of Rest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Othniel (Judah) | Jdg 3:7-11 | Cushan-Rishathaim, King of Mesopotamia | 8 Jdg 3:8 | 40 Jdg 3:11 |
| Ehud (Benjamin) | Jdg 3:12–30 | Eglon king of Moab, Ammonites and Amalekites | 18 Jdg 3:14 | 80 Jdg 3:30 |
| Shamgar (?) | Jdg 3:31 | Philistines | not given | not given |
| Deborah (Ephraim) | Judges 4–5 | Jabin, Canaanite king of Hazor Sisera, general and vassal of Jabin | 20 Jdg 4:3 | 40 Jdg 5:31 |
| Gideon (Manasseh) | Judges 6–7-8 | Midianites Amalekites “People of the East” | 7 Jdg 6:1 | 40 Jdg 8:28 |
| Tola (Issachar) | Jdg 10:1–2 | 23 Jdg 10:2 | ||
| Jair (Gilead-Manasseh) | Jdg 10:3–5 | 22 Jdg 10:3 | ||
| Jephthah (Gilead-Manasseh) | Jdg 10:6–12:7 | Philistines Ammonites Civil war with the tribe of Ephraim | 18 Jdg 10:8 | 6 Jdg 12:7 |
| Ibzan (Judah) | Jdg 12:8–10 | 7 Jdg 12:9 | ||
| Elon (Zebulun) | Jdg 12:11–12 | 10 Jdg 12:11 | ||
| Abdon (Ephraim) | Jdg 12:13–15 | 8 Jdg 12:14 | ||
| Samson (Dan) | Judges 13–16 | Philistines | 40 Jdg 13:1 | 20 Jdg 15:20; Jdg 16:31 |
The total years added together is about 410 years. However, many of the episodes in Judges overlap each other, unfolding in different parts of the land.
ESV Introduction with Timeline
ESV: Judges located on a map
Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash