Category:Judges (subject)

According to the Hebrew Bible, the Judges were political and military leaders of the Twelve Tribes of Israel before the establishment of the monarchy.

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• This page is edited by Gabriele Boccaccini, University of Michigan.

Following the Conquest of the Land of Canaan by Joshua until the formation of the first Kingdom of Israel, the ancient tradition of Israel claims that the Twelve Tribes formed a loose confederation. No central government existed but in times of crisis the people were led by ad hoc-appointed leaders known as Judges.

The Book of Judges mentions twelve Judges: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, and Samson. The First Book of Samuel mentions Eli and Samuel, as well as Joel and Abiah (two sons of Samuel). The Books of Chronicles mentions Kenaniah and his sons, Amariah and Zebadiah (son of Ishmael).

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