Judges of Israel

Judge Tribe Descriptions

Othniel Judah Othniel, the first judge, is first mentioned in as
“Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother.” As a
nephew of Caleb, Othniel took on the
challenge of conquering the city of Debir (or
Kiriath Sepher) and driving out the Canaanites
there.
Ehud Benjamin Ehud served as the second judge of Israel
following Othniel. After Othniel’s death, the
people of Israel sinned and fell to the king
of Moab, serving him for 18 years. When the
Israelites cried out for help, God sent Ehud to
serve as judge.
Shamgar Unknown/ Shamgar was the third judge of Israel whose
Unwritten? heroic actions led to peace in Israel for an
unspecified period of time.
Deborah and Barak Ephraim Deborah, a prophetess instructed Barak, son of
Abinoam to gather 10,000 troops to attack Sisera
and won.
Gideon Manasseh Gideon was the fifth judge and renowned as
the greatest of Israel. Son of Joash and was
used by God to achieve mighty victory over the
Midianites.
Abimelech Manasseh Abimelech (also spelled Abimelek), one
of Gideon’s sons, served as a judge of Israel
following the judgeship of Gideon.
Tola Issachar After the time of Abimelek, a man of Issachar
named Tola son of Puah, the son of Dodo, rose
to save Israel. He lived in Shamir, in the hill
country of Ephraim. He led Israel twenty-three
years; then he died, and was buried in Shamir.
Jair Manasseh Jair of Gilead, who led Israel twenty-two years.
He had thirty sons, who rode thirty donkeys.
They controlled thirty towns in Gilead, which to
this day are called Havvoth Jair.
Jephthah Gileadite Jephthah served as a judge over Israel for six
years following the leadership of Jair. Jephthah
was a Gileadite but was born of a prostitute.
Ibzan Zebulun Ibzan of Bethlehem led Israel. He had thirty
sons and thirty daughters. He gave his
daughters away in marriage to those outside
his clan, and for his sons he brought in thirty
young women as wives from outside his clan.
Ibzan led Israel seven years.
Elon Zebulun Elon the Zebulunite led Israel ten years. Then
Elon died and was buried in Aijalon in the land
of Zebulun.
Abdon Ephraim After [Elon], Abdon son of Hillel, from Pirathon,
led Israel. He had forty sons and thirty
grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. He
led Israel eight years.
Samson Dan Samson’s life is one of contradiction. He was a
man of great physical strength yet displayed
great moral weakness. He was a judge for 20
years and “a Nazirite, set apart to God from
birth, yet he continually broke the rules of a
Nazirite.