Overview

Meaning

Judges
- Word “Judge” comes from Hebrew word “shaphat” (“to judge”) from “shophet” (“a judge”); adjudicate, rule, or vindicate or provide justice for
- Named after variety of principle rulers (2:16-19).
- 12 judges of Israel: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah (only female), Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, and Samson.
- Various forms of leadership between Joshua and kingship in 1 Samuel
Foreign Gods mentioned
- Ashtaroth - Canaanite female goddess of fertility and creation
- Baal - title meaning “Lord” which could refer to a variety of gods - or even a master of a household (depending on context)

Geography of areas depicted and how region is situated alongside other regions is helpful to understand:

Small area of Canaan (size of Rhode Island), lies on the way to anywhere in the Middle East
- Egypt
- Mesopotamia
- Syria to East (Royal road)
- Phonician sea trade routes in Mediterranean
Great geographical divisions (run north/south) - going west-east
- West - coastal plain (main highway) controlled by Egypt at time of exodus
- Low mountains - very fertile
- Great Jordan Rift Valley (Jordan river flows through this)
  - Northern extreme is Mt Hermon (highest point)
  - Lush vegetation in north
  - But no life by dead sea
Unity was difficult because of diversity of geography
- Small village farmers, nomadic shepherds, city dwellers, merchants
Out of this diversity arises this variety of Judges

Shows influence from both pre and post Deuteronomistic era
- Pre: local “judges” didn’t worry about centralized temple/religion
- Post: Told in framework that leads up to centralized nationalization
Influences of post-exile lamentation (18:30)
Many of the judges are from northern kingdoms (in contrast with later monarchy from Judah)
Negative portrayal of northern tribes plus (18:30) indicates southern tribe influence
- 1:1-20 southern propaganda
  - Mt. Ephraim and shrine of Dan as sinful
- North failed to drive out inhabitants (1:21-36)
- Negative casting of north throughout book
- Anti-Saul, pro-David
Text builds up to benefits of unified monarchy but warning that king can be villain (Abimelech and bramble in ch 9)

Prior to Josian reform, polytheism was more a norm even within Israel and something the Israelites constantly struggled with. It wasn’t a question of if there were other gods/goddesses, it was a question of which one (or ones) to worship.
Prior the Israelite monarchy (in the book of Kings) Israel was more of a loose collection of diverse tribes amidst strong, conquering, foreign influences
Different Israelites often worshipped Yahweh alongside a variety of Canaanite gods and goddesses, including El, Asherah and Baal which set a stage of conflict
As Israelite monarchy strengthened and they experienced exile and return, their theology and worship developed and solidified

Three main parts:
- Intro explaining rise of Judges (1-3:6)
- Activities of Judges (3:7-16:31)
- Conclusion showing instability w/o monarchy:
  - Micah and conquest of Dan
  - Rape in Gibeah and civil war
Note, text does not present events in chronological order
Text ends with individuals also in 1 Samuel (Samuel and Eli) - connecting Joshua era to Samuel era

Look for cyclic pattern across the different Judges:

Some Judges have more than one persona. Each have their own strengths and weaknesses.

Militaristic: Othniel, Ehud, (Barak w/ Deborah), Gideon, Jephthah
Lone warriors: Shamgar and Samson
Religious:
- Prophetic: Deborah and Samuel
- Nazirite: Samson
- Priestly: Eli and Samuel
Legal/political judges: Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon

“Nazarite” comes from the Hebrew word “nazir” meaning “consecrated” or “separated”
Nazarite vow described in Numbers 6:1-21 which included
- Abstain from wine, wine vinegar, grapes, raisins, intoxicating liquors, vinegar made from such substances, and eating or drinking any substance that contains any trace of grapes
- Refrain from cutting the hair on one’s head; allow the locks of the head’s hair to grow
- Not to become ritually impure by contact with corpses or graves, even those of family members
- Length of time of vow could vary from 1 hour to lifetime (usually 30 days)
  - Samson’s vow was for life
The text presents three examples of him breaking covenant vows
- He married outside the covenant house of Israel (Judges 14:1–3) - outside Deuteronomisitc covenant
- He was immoral with a harlot (Judges 16:1) - hearkening back to 10 commandments
- He had his hair cut (Judges 16:4–20) - Nazarite oath

Similar to pre-centralized Israelite worship, there are parallels with how early Mormonism developed:

Many early Mormons brought with them theological ideas or traditions from prior or surrounding faiths - including Joseph Smith
Early Mormons were greatly influenced by their surrounding politics, economics, and religious revivalisms
Prior to establishment, centralization, and strengthening in Salt Lake, different stakes would sometimes diverge and conflict with each other (falling in and out of apostasy)
Highly recommend reading Richard Bushman’s “Rough Stone Rolling” to get insight on this - see Book Reviews page

Also, note similar types of “Judges” personas exist in the Book of Mormon (again, some having multiple personas):

Militaristic: Moroni, Mormon, Helaman
Lone warriors: Teancum
Religious:
- Prophetic: Lehi, Nephi, Mosiah, Samuel
- Priestly: Alma, Ammon
- Missionary: Alma, Cezoram, Amulek, Ammon
Legal/political: Alma, Pahoran, Pacumeni, Cezoram, Lachoneous