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ChrillionTHE RARE-ANSWER CHALLENGEPlay

OT History

Judges of Israel: Names, Bible References & Quiz

The judges belong to different episodes, not one interchangeable list. Deborah judged under a palm tree, Ehud confronted Moabite oppression, and Ibzan and Elon appear in the brief accounts of Judges 12. This guide pairs the accepted names and translations with those narrative anchors before you practise recall.

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14 current accepted entries · names & aliases

Names, context & references

These entries describe the current bank. Not being listed does not establish that an answer is false; unrecognized practice input can be edited or checked against the guide.

Samson

A Nazirite of the tribe of Dan known for extraordinary strength and the longest narrative cycle in Judges.

Other accepted names: Use the names above

Reference/context: Judges 13–16 (KJV text)

Gideon

Judge from Manasseh who tested the fleece and led 300 warriors with torches and trumpets against Midian.

Other accepted names: Jerubbaal

Reference/context: Judges 6–8 (KJV text)

Deborah

The only named female judge and prophetess in Judges, holding court under the Palm of Deborah in Ephraim.

Other accepted names: Use the names above

Reference/context: Judges 4–5 (KJV text)

Samuel

The last judge of Israel before the monarchy, serving also as prophet and priest who anointed Saul and David.

Other accepted names: Use the names above

Reference/context: 1 Samuel 1–25 (KJV text)

Jephthah

Gileadite judge who defeated the Ammonites and whose account contains the famous "Shibboleth" passage.

Other accepted names: Use the names above

Reference/context: Judges 11–12 (KJV text)

Barak

Son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali who allied with Deborah to defeat Sisera near the Kishon River.

Other accepted names: Use the names above

Reference/context: Judges 4–5; Hebrews 11:32 (KJV text)

Ehud

Left-handed Benjamite deliverer who ended eighteen years of Moabite oppression under King Eglon.

Other accepted names: Use the names above

Reference/context: Judges 3:12–30 (KJV text)

Othniel

The very first judge recorded in Judges, nephew and son-in-law of Caleb, delivering Israel from Cushan-rishathaim.

Other accepted names: Use the names above

Reference/context: Judges 3:7–11 (KJV text)

Shamgar

Mentioned in only two verses in Judges, famed for striking down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad.

Other accepted names: Use the names above

Reference/context: Judges 3:31, 5:6 (KJV text)

Tola

From the tribe of Issachar, lived in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim and judged Israel for 23 years.

Other accepted names: Use the names above

Reference/context: Judges 10:1–2 (KJV text)

Jair

Gileadite judge for 22 years, noted for his thirty sons riding thirty donkeys across thirty towns.

Other accepted names: Use the names above

Reference/context: Judges 10:3–5 (KJV text)

Abdon

Son of Hillel the Pirathonite, judged Israel for eight years in the hill country of Ephraim.

Other accepted names: Use the names above

Reference/context: Judges 12:13–15 (KJV text)

Ibzan

Judge from Bethlehem who served seven years; distinct from Elon and Abdon.

Other accepted names: Use the names above

Reference/context: Judges 12:8–10 (KJV text)

Elon

A Zebulunite who judged Israel ten years, distinct from the Benjamite Ehud.

Other accepted names: Use the names above

Reference/context: Judges 12:11–12 (KJV text)

Turn the list into recall

  1. Build a chapter-based sequence of Othniel, Ehud, Deborah and Barak, Gideon, Jephthah and Samson.
  2. Then review the shorter accounts in Judges 10–12. Attach a detail to each less familiar name rather than memorising transliterations alone.
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Content review date: 2026-11-14 · current-4fbee918-104866 · Sources & corrections