Bookstore Glossary Library Links News Publications Timeline Virtual Israel Experience
Anti-Semitism Biography History Holocaust Israel Israel Education Myths & Facts Politics Religion Travel US & Israel Vital Stats Women
donate subscribe Contact About Home

Ancient Jewish History: Judges of Ancient Israel

Othniel (3:7-11) 1st Judge after Joshua's death
Ehud (3:12-30) Fought the Moabites
Shagmar (3:31) Led Israelites against the Philistines
Deborah (4-5) Prophetess, guided Barak to victory over the Canaanites, only female judge
Gideon (6-8) Defeated Midianites with 300 men
Abimelech (9) Only judge to win leadership through treachery
Tola (10:1-5) Judged Israel for 23 years
Yair (10: 1-5) Judged Israel for 22 years
Jepthah (10:17-12:7) Defeated Ammonites
Ibzan (12:8-15) Judged people for 7 years
Elon (12:8-15) Judge for 10 years
Abdon (12:8-15) Ruled for 8 years
Samson (13-16) Fought Phillistines singlehandedly
Eli (1 Samuel 1:9) Priest, ruled people from the sanctuary at Gilo
Samuel Last judge before the kingdom came under the rule of Saul

Sources: The Shengold Jewish Encyclopedia. NY: Shengold, 1998.