Judges of Israel (complete list)
Quick Summary
Before Israel had kings, God raised up judges to lead the people. These judges weren’t courtroom figures—they were deliverers, leaders, and sometimes warriors. This article provides a complete list of the judges of Israel, with biblical references and themes.
What Was a Judge in the Bible?
In the book of Judges, a "judge" (shofet in Hebrew) was someone God appointed to lead and deliver Israel in times of crisis. They weren’t monarchs or tribal chiefs in the modern sense. Most were regional leaders raised up to rescue the people from foreign oppression. Their authority was based on charisma, not dynasty.
The cycle that repeats in Judges goes something like this:
Israel sins.
Foreign enemies oppress them.
The people cry out.
God raises up a judge.
There is deliverance and peace—until the cycle begins again.
Complete List of Judges in Israel
Here is the traditional list of judges in the Book of Judges and related texts:
Othniel (Judges 3:7-11)
Delivered Israel from Cushan-rishathaim of Aram.Ehud (Judges 3:12-30)
Left-handed deliverer who assassinated King Eglon of Moab.Shamgar (Judges 3:31)
Struck down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad.Deborah (Judges 4–5)
Only female judge; led Israel alongside Barak. Also a prophet.Gideon (Jerubbaal) (Judges 6–8)
Led Israel to victory over Midian with only 300 men.Tola (Judges 10:1-2)
Judged Israel for 23 years; not much detail given.Jair (Judges 10:3-5)
Judged Israel for 22 years; had 30 sons who rode 30 donkeys.Jephthah (Judges 11–12:7)
Made a tragic vow; led Israel against the Ammonites.Ibzan (Judges 12:8-10)
Had 30 sons and 30 daughters; judged for 7 years.Elon (Judges 12:11-12)
Judged Israel for 10 years.Abdon (Judges 12:13-15)
Had 40 sons and 30 grandsons; judged for 8 years.Samson (Judges 13–16)
Known for immense strength; fought the Philistines; his story ends in tragedy.
Additional Leaders Sometimes Included:
Eli (1 Samuel 4:18)
Served as priest and judge for 40 years.Samuel (1 Samuel 7:15-17)
The last judge before the monarchy; also a prophet who anointed Saul and David.
Some traditions also consider Barak (Deborah's military partner) and Abimelech (Gideon’s son who made himself king) but they are not always listed among the official judges.
Timeline and Patterns
The period of the judges lasted from the death of Joshua to the rise of Saul, covering roughly 300-350 years. It was a time of spiritual inconsistency. The refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 21:25), summarizes the era.
The book as a whole shows a downward spiral: each judge delivers, but the people fall again into idolatry and disobedience. By the time of Samson, the stories are darker and more chaotic.
Women and Judges
Deborah stands out as the only female judge. She is introduced not just as a leader but as a prophet. Her role challenges assumptions about leadership in ancient Israel and highlights that God’s call was not limited by gender.
Meaning for Today
The judges were deeply flawed, yet God used them. Some were hesitant (Gideon), others impulsive (Jephthah), and some reckless (Samson). Still, they led. Still, they acted. Still, they delivered.
In their stories, we see both divine faithfulness and human fragility. We are reminded that leadership doesn’t require perfection—but it does require courage, trust, and a willingness to stand up when others fall down.
And in the end, the judges point forward to the need for a different kind of ruler: not just a deliverer, but a redeemer.
