Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5358 judges

Individuals responsible for the administration of justice and/or the operation of government. In the OT the term “judge” is also used in a special sense meaning a leader of Israel. God is portrayed in Scripture as the judge of all the earth; in the NT Jesus Christ is presented as the judge appointed by God.

Judges as leaders of Israel

1 Samuel 7:15 See also Judges 2:16-19; Judges 3:9-11; Judges 4:4-10; Ruth 1:1; 2 Kings 23:22

The role of judges

Judicial and punitive

Deuteronomy 25:1-2 See also Genesis 19:6-9; Exodus 18:13-26; Exodus 22:7-9; Numbers 25:5; Deuteronomy 1:16; Deuteronomy 19:16-21; Deuteronomy 21:1-2; 2 Chronicles 19:5-7; Ezekiel 44:24; Luke 12:14; 1 Corinthians 6:2-5; Revelation 20:4

Administrative

Exodus 21:2-6; Ezra 10:14; Acts 24:10

The status of judges in ancient Israel

Joshua 8:33 See also Joshua 23:1-24:1; 2 Kings 23:22; 2 Chronicles 1:2-3

The jurisdiction of judges

Local judges

Deuteronomy 16:18 See also 2 Chronicles 19:5

Judges with national authority

1 Samuel 7:15-17 See also Deuteronomy 17:8-9; 2 Samuel 15:4

Regulations relating to judges

Deuteronomy 1:16 See also Deuteronomy 17:12; Deuteronomy 25:2-3

Corrupt judges

Micah 7:3 See also Luke 18:2-8

Levitical judges

Ezekiel 44:24 See also 1 Chronicles 23:3-4; 1 C 29

Judges during periods of foreign rule

Under the Babylonian empire

Daniel 3:2-3

Under the Medo-Persian empire

Ezra 7:25 See also Ezra 4:9

Under the Roman Empire

Matthew 27:19 See also Matthew 5:25 pp Luke 12:58; John 19:13; Acts 24:10

God as judge

Isaiah 33:22 See also Judges 11:27; 1 Samuel 24:12,15; 1 Kings 8:31-32; 1 Chronicles 16:33; Job 9:15; Psalm 58:11; Psalm 94:2; John 8:50; John 12:48; Hebrews 12:23

The righteousness of God's judgment

Genesis 18:25 See also Psalm 7:11; Psalm 50:6

Jesus Christ appointed as judge

Acts 10:42 See also John 5:22,27,30; Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:1,8

See also

1125  God, righteousness
1310  God as judge
2072  Christ, righteousness
2309  Christ as judge
4065  orderliness
5091  Deborah
5326  government
5359  justice
6130  corruption
7135  Israel, people of God
7733  leaders
9210  judgment, God's