Encyclopedia entry
Judge
(Heb. shophet, pl. shophetim), properly a magistrate or ruler, rather than one who judges in the sense of trying a cause. This is the name given to those rulers who presided over the affairs of the Israelites during the interval between the death of Joshua and the accession of Saul (Judg. 2:18), a period of general anarchy and confusion. “The office of judges or regents was held during life, but it was not hereditary, neither could they appoint their successors. Their authority was limited by the law alone, and in doubtful cases they were directed to consult the divine King through the priest by Urim and Thummim (Num. 27:21). Their authority extended only over those tribes by whom they had been elected or acknowledged. There was no income attached to their office, and they bore no external marks of dignity. The only cases of direct divine appointment are those of Gideon and Samson, and the latter stood in the peculiar position of having been from before his birth ordained ‘to begin to deliver Israel.’ Deborah was called to deliver Israel, but was already a judge. Samuel was called by the Lord to be a prophet but not a judge, which ensued from the high gifts the people recognized as dwelling in him; and as to Eli, the office of judge seems to have devolved naturally or rather ex officio upon him.” Of five of the judges, Tola (Judg. 10:1), Jair (3), Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon (12:8-15), we have no record at all beyond the bare fact that they were judges. Sacred history is not the history of individuals but of the kingdom of God in its onward progress.
In the Bible
192
Verses where Judge is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 12:17
And David went out to meet them, saying, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free of violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you.”
- 1 Chronicles 16:33
Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth.
- 1 Corinthians 4:3
I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
- 1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
- 1 Corinthians 5:12
What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
- 1 Corinthians 5:13
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
+186 more verses naming Judge.
Scripture on Judge
137
See all 137 +−
- Judges 21 Samuel 8Ezekiel 7Ezekiel 23Ezekiel 34Luke 12Acts 7Romans 2Genesis 31Exodus 2Deuteronomy 251 Samuel 21 Samuel 242 Chronicles 12 Chronicles 19Job 31Psalms 7Psalms 50Psalms 72Psalms 75Psalms 82Psalms 96Isaiah 1Isaiah 3Isaiah 11Ezekiel 11Matthew 7Luke 18John 7John 12Romans 31 Corinthians 41 Corinthians 51 Corinthians 112 Timothy 4James 4Genesis 15Genesis 16Genesis 18Genesis 19Genesis 49Exodus 5Leviticus 19Numbers 27Numbers 35Deuteronomy 1Deuteronomy 16Deuteronomy 32Judges 3Judges 10Judges 111 Samuel 32 Samuel 151 Kings 31 Kings 71 Kings 81 Chronicles 121 Chronicles 162 Chronicles 62 Chronicles 20Ezra 7Job 9Job 22Job 23Psalms 9Psalms 10Psalms 26Psalms 35Psalms 43Psalms 51Psalms 54Psalms 58Psalms 67Psalms 68Psalms 76Psalms 94Psalms 98Psalms 110Psalms 135Proverbs 20Proverbs 31Ecclesiastes 3Isaiah 2Isaiah 5Isaiah 16Isaiah 33Isaiah 51Jeremiah 2Jeremiah 5Lamentations 3Ezekiel 16Ezekiel 18Ezekiel 20Ezekiel 21Ezekiel 22Ezekiel 24Ezekiel 33Ezekiel 35Ezekiel 44Joel 3Amos 2Obadiah 1Micah 3Micah 4Micah 5Micah 7Zechariah 3Matthew 5Luke 6Luke 19John 5John 18Acts 4Acts 10Acts 13Acts 17Acts 18Acts 23Acts 241 Corinthians 101 Corinthians 142 Corinthians 5Colossians 2Hebrews 10Hebrews 12Hebrews 13James 51 Peter 4Revelation 6Revelation 11Revelation 19Revelation 20
Judge references
19
Voices on Judge
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.