Introduction to Judges

Name

The English title “Judges” traces its roots from the Latin “Judicum” and the Greek Septuagint “Kritai”  back to the Hebrew (“šōpeṭm”).  The title is appropriate as long as you expand the usual English meaning of judges to include general administrative and military authority.

Author

There is no author identified in the book of Judges itself. However, the Talmud identifies the author as Samuel. Given the time frame of the book, it is quite possible that Samuel was the author, but that the final editing of the book was completed somewhat later during the reign of David and Solomon.

Genre

Primarily Narrative History

Literary Form

Historical Narrative

Time Frame

Most scholars agree that the book of Judges begins with the death of Joshua and ends with the coronation of King Saul. Dating the book itself is difficult, but most scholars agree on approximately a 300-year period from 1425 to 1120 BC.

Emphasis

The book of Judges emphasizes the moral and spiritual degradation of the nation of Israel. Despite God raising up judges, the people fell further and further away from God until they ultimately became as defiled as the Canaanites whom they had displaced!

The main themes include:

1. Human depravity
2. The grace of God
3. The need for God’s leadership

 Outline

1. Prologue (1:1 – 3:6)
2. The Judges (3:7 – 16:31)
3. Epilogue (17:1 – 21:25