Who wrote Judges, and what is it about?
Short answer
JUDGES is the title given to the next book, from its containing the history of those non-regal rulers who governed the Hebrews from the time of Joshua to that of Eli, and whose functions in time of peace consisted chiefly in the administration of justice, although they occasionally led the people in their wars.
Who appears in Judges?
The people and places Judges refers to most, counted by sense rather than by word, so a name used two ways is not double counted.
Background and context for Judges
JUDGES is the title given to the next book, from its containing the history of those non-regal rulers who governed the Hebrews from the time of Joshua to that of Eli, and whose functions in time of peace consisted chiefly in the administration of justice, although they occasionally led the people in their wars against their public enemies. The date and authorship of this book are not precisely known. It is certain, however, that it preceded the Second Book of Samuel (compare Jdg 9:35 with Sa2 11:21), as well as the conquest of Jerusalem by David (compare Jdg 1:21 with Sa2 5:6). Its author was in all probability Samuel, the last of the judges (see Jdg 19:1; Jdg 21:25), and the date of the first part of it is fixed in the reign of Saul, while the five chapters at the close might not have been written till after David's establishment as king in Israel (see Jdg 18:31). It is a fragmentary history, being a collection of important facts and signal deliverances at different times and in various parts of the land, during the intermediate period of three hundred years between Joshua and the establishment of the monarchy. The inspired character of this book is confirmed by allusions to it in many passages of Scripture (compare Jdg 4:2; Jdg 6:14 with Sa1 12:9-12; Jdg 9:53 with Sa2 11:21; Jdg 7:25 with Psa 83:11; compare Jdg 5:4-5 with Psa 7:5; Jdg 13:5; Jdg 16:17 with Mat 2:13-23; Act 13:20; Heb 11:32).
Commentary text: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871). Public domain.
Compiled by Protos: the figures above, drawn from the verses where each one actually appears.
Free Judges study guide for small groups
The guide has a short path, sequential sessions, deeper context, and a printable PDF. It is a separate study resource, so this page can stay focused on the book's background.
Read it online, print it, or use it with your group.
Open the Judges study guideThis is the background for Judges as a whole. The commentary on every verse of all 21 chapters is in Protos, attached to the verse you are reading.
Read Judges verse by verse in ProtosCommon questions
Who wrote Judges, and what is it about?
JUDGES is the title given to the next book, from its containing the history of those non-regal rulers who governed the Hebrews from the time of Joshua to that of Eli, and whose functions in time of peace consisted chiefly in the administration of justice, although they occasionally led the people in their wars.
How many chapters are in Judges?
Judges has 21 chapters.
Is there a free Judges study guide for small groups?
Yes. A printable 6 session Judges study guide is free to download, with discussion questions for each session. No account or email is required.
Who appears in the book of Judges?
The people and places referenced most often in Judges are Samson, Gideon, Abimelech, Philistines, Gibeah, Jephthah.
Is there a verse by verse commentary on Judges?
This page carries the background for Judges as a whole. Protos carries the commentary verse by verse, attached to the verse you are reading, across all 21 chapters.
