12 Major & Minor Judges of Israel

Before the judges were established, the people of Israel had no formal governance, relying instead on leaders like Moses and Joshua. After Joshua's death, the Great Creator saw that Israel's sinful tendencies were leading them toward chaos once again. Fearing that the tribes would fall back into their wicked ways, as they had when Moses went to receive the Ten Commandments, God decided to appoint individuals with authority to guide Israel back to the path of righteousness. Thus, the Judges of Israel came into being and ruled for 324 years.

According to the Life Application Bible commentary, it says, "These judges were not perfect; in fact, they included an assassin, a sexually promiscuous man, and a person who broke all laws of hospitality. But they were submissive to God, and God used them."

There is a probability that there were other judges not named in the Holy Bible as there are gaps in the timeline. Likewise, some judges have chapters rich with details about their lives, while others remain shrouded in mystery, with little information to uncover, leaving their enigmatic reign open to speculation.

Major Judge: Othniel      

Meaning of Name: "Lion of God"     

Tribe: Judah

Time Period: 1373-1334 BC     

Enemy Defeated: Mesopotamians

Years of Peace: 40

Characteristics: Integrity and Faithfulness

Notable Information: Othniel served as a Israelite judge for eight years, bringing 40 years of peace with his reign.

Description: Othniel, the son of Kenaz and Caleb's brother, married Achsah, Caleb's daughter, after successfully capturing the town of Debir from the Canaanites. As the first warrior-judge of Israel, he freed the nation from an eight-year oppression under Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia.

Biblical Reference: Joshua 15:13-17; Judges 1:9-21; 3:1-11; 1 Chron 4:13

Major Judge: Ehud

Meaning of Name: "I will give thanks"

Tribe: Benjamin

Time Period: 1316-1237 BC

Enemy Defeated: Moabites

Years of Peace: 80

Characteristic: Left-handedness

Notable Information: It is unknown how long Ehud served as judge, but he brought the longest period of peace to Israel.

Description: Ehud, the son of Gera from the tribe of Benjamin, was a left-handed man who cleverly assassinated Eglon, the king of Moab, using a double-edged sword about a cubit long (approximately 18 inches). His actions brought an end to 18 years of Moabite rule over Israel.

Biblical Reference: Judges 3:12 – 4:1

Minor Judge: Shamgar

Meaning of Name: "Sword"

Tribe: Unknown

Time Period: 1262- 1247 BC

Enemy Defeated: Philistines

Years of Peace: Unknown

Characteristic: Bravery 

Notable Information: Shamgar is not a Hebrew name. He was said to be the son of Anath (Semitic goddess of love and war), sister of the Baal god.

Description: Unlike the accounts of other biblical judges there are no mentions of the duration of Shamgar's reign, nor is there a clear introduction or conclusion regarding his character. Armed with an oxgoad, he achieved a significant feat by killing 600 Philistines and delivering Israel from their oppression.

Biblical Reference: Judges 3:31 and Judges 5:6

Major Judge: Deborah

Meaning of Name: "Bee"

Tribe: Ephraim

Time Period: 1237-1198 BC

Enemy Defeated: Canaanites

Years of Peace: 40

Characteristics: Supportive and Unwavering Faith

Notable Information: She is the only female judge mentioned in the Bible.

Description: Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophetess, counselor, and warrior. She led a successful counter-attack with Barak from the tribe of Naphtali against Sisera, the commander of King Jabin of Canaan's army. With God's guidance, she defeated Sisera and his entire army by the sword.

Biblical Reference: Judges 4-5

Major Judge: Gideon

Meaning of Name: "Hewer"

Tribe: Manasseh

Time Period: 1191-1151 BC

Enemy Defeated: Midianites

Years of Peace:40

Characteristics: Timid and Humble

Notable Information:  Gideon was the youngest son of Joash the Abiezrite.

Description:An angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon while he was winnowing wheat in a winepress to conceal it from the Midianites. The angel commanded him to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression, assuring him that he would defeat all the Midianites. Gideon sought confirmation of God's plan by twice laying out a woolen fleece for a sign. Obeying God's instructions, Gideon reduced his army from 10,000 to 300 and successfully defeated the enemy forces.

Biblical Reference: Judges 6-8

Minor Judge: Tola

Meaning of Name: "Worm"

Tribe: Issachar

Time Period: 1149-1126 BC

Enemy Defeated: No known enemy

Years of Peace: 23

Characteristics: Faithfulness and Humility

Notable Information: The Bible does not mention what Tola saved the clans of Israel from.

Description: Tola belonged to one of the prominent clans of the tribe of Issachar but resided in the town of Shamir, located in the territory of Ephraim. His tenure as a judge, lasting 23 years, succeeded the chaotic three-year reign of Abimelech, which had plunged Israel into turmoil.

Biblical Reference: Judges 10:1-2

Minor Judge: Jair

Meaning of Name: "He enlightens"

Tribe: Manasseh

Time Period: 1126-1105 BC

Enemy Defeated: No known enemy

Years of Peace: 22

Characteristics: Administrative Skill and Authority

Notable Information: Jair is quite a popular name and is mentioned in several books in the Bible.

Description: Jair, also known as Yair, was the seventh judge of Israel and is regarded as a minor judge by scholars and theologians. He had 30 sons who rode on 30 donkeys and governed 30 cities in Gilead. Known for his wealth and influence, the Bible does not detail his achievements but does note that he was buried in Kamon.

Biblical Reference: Judges 10:3-5

Major Judge: Jephthah

Meaning of Name: "He opens"

Tribe: Manasseh

Time Period: 1087-1081

Enemy Defeated: Ammonites

Years of Peace: 6

Characteristics: Mighty Warrior and Brillant Military Strategist

Notable Information: He fought the Ammonites and defeated 20 cities, thus subduing King Ammon. 

Description: Jephthah was the son of a prostitute and was rejected by his half-brothers, who drove him away for being the son of another woman. Later, the Gileadite elders appointed him as their leader and commander at Mizpah, where he refused to relinquish the land to the king of the Ammonites. Jephthah ultimately instigated a civil war with the tribe of Ephraim and made a reckless vow that led to the devastating loss of his daughter's life.

Biblical Reference: Judges 11-12

Minor Judge: Ibzan

Meaning of Name: "Splendid"

Tribe: Judah

Time Period: 1081-1075

Enemy Defeated: No known enemy

Years of Peace: 7

Characteristics: Judicial Background and Social Influence

Notable Information: The Jewish Talmud (Bava Batra 91a) asserts that Ibzan is to be identified with Boaz from the Book of Ruth.

Description: Ibzan, the Bethlehemite, was a prominent and affluent judge of Israel, recognized for his social standing and influence. He had 30 sons and 30 daughters, through whom he significantly extended his reach by arranging marriages outside his clan, thereby forging strategic alliances with other Israelite tribes.

Biblical Reference: Judges 12:8-10

Minor Judge: Elon

Meaning of Name: "Oak Tree; Mighty"

Tribe: Zebulun

Time Period: 1075-1065 BC

Enemy Defeated: No known enemy

Years of Peace: 10

Characteristics: Stability and Autonomous

Notable Information: Israel was at peace when Elon picked up the torch of Ibzan. He was buried in the territory of where his tribe was from.

Description: Although little is known about Elon or the duration of his reign, the Bible does mention his tribe and his death. There is no evidence to suggest that he led any military campaigns or took action to defend Israel from its adversaries.

Biblical Reference: Judges 12:11-12

Minor Judge: Abdon

Meaning of Name: "Servant"

Tribe: Ephraim

Time Period: 1065-1058 BC

Enemy Defeated: No known enemy

Years of Peace: 8

Characteristics: Faithfulness and Service to God

Notable Information: Abdon was also a territory of Palestine. Like Judge Jair, the name Abdon is commonly shared with three other Israelites in the Bible.

Description: Abdon, the son of Hillel, was a man of great wealth and influence. He had 40 sons and 30 grandsons, all of whom rode on 70 donkeys. Some scholars suggest that Abdon played a key role in restoring order in Israel following the devastating civil war between the Gileadites and the Ephraimites.

Biblical Reference: Judges 12:13–15

Major Judge: Samson

Meaning of Name: "Like the sun"

Tribe: Dan

Time Period: 1069-1049 

Enemy Defeated: Philistines

Years of Peace: 20

Characteristics: Strength, Faith and Moral Weakness

Notable Information: Samson's birth was announced by an angel. He killed a lion with his bare hands and killed over 1,000 Philistines with a jawbone of a donkey.

Description: Samson, the son of Manoah and Hazlalphonith, was consecrated as a Nazirite, meaning no razor was to touch his head. Blessed by the Lord with extraordinary strength, Samson showed a preference for the daughters of the Philistines. He lost his strength when his lover, Delilah, cut his hair. Blinded and imprisoned in Gaza, one of the five Philistine city-states, he prayed to God for his strength to be restored. In a final act, he brought down the Temple of Dagon, killing himself and approximately 3,000 Philistines.

Biblical Reference: Judges 13-16

Related information:

Who Were the Judges of Israel?

Who Were The Judges In The Bible?

3 Things You Should Know about Judges

The Mandela Effect

The following article was published on Science of People and written by Galina Hitching.

Have you ever been absolutely certain about a past event, only to find out it never happened the way you recall? You’re not alone!

From misremembering iconic lines in movies to recalling historical events incorrectly, the Mandela Effect showcases the unreliability of our memories. Stick around as we delve into the science behind this bewildering experience!

The Mandela Effect is a phenomenon where a large group of people remember an event or detail differently than how it actually occurred. It is named after Nelson Mandela, as many people incorrectly remembered him dying in prison in the 1980s, despite his actual death occurring in 2013. This effect highlights how collective memories can diverge from historical facts, often involving pop culture references or significant events. 

While some people say the Mandela Effect is just due to confirmation bias or misremembering, others entertain more speculative explanations, such as parallel universes.

The Mandela effect is different than being confused or forgetting the details of something that happened. Instead, the Mandela effect is when your memories don’t match reality. Then, to make it even crazier, multiply your experience into a collective memory, where many people are confused about the same thing! 

Check your memory with our Mandela Effect test. The answers are at the bottom of each question.

1. When did Nelson Mandela die?

Let’s get to the most famous Mandela Effect example. Although the South African president didn’t die until 2013, many people remember Nelson Mandela dying in the 80s while in prison. Some even remember his widow giving a speech after his death. 

2. Is it Berenstein Bears or Berenstain Bears?

Ah, the classic childhood memory: curling up with a Berenstein Bears book. Wait, did we say Berenstein with an “e?” Plot twist: It’s actually spelled Berenstain Bears with an “a,” much to the surprise and disbelief of countless people.

3. Did the Fruit of the Loom logo have a cornucopia?

No, not even as far back as 1893. Yes, we know it does look better with it.

4. Which is the correct quote from Star Wars? “Luke, I am your father.” or “No. I am your father.”

While many fans swear by the line “Luke, I am your father,” Darth Vader actually said, “No, I am your father.” It’s as if our memories have been tampered with by a Jedi Mind Trick!

5.  Throwing some shade on Risky Business

In 1983, Tom Cruise danced across our screens in Risky Business, wearing a button-up shirt, white socks, and sunglasses. If you rewatch the scene, you’ll see Tom is not sporting the sunglasses that are present in just about every parody of this scene. 

6. Mister Rogers’s theme song isn’t what you remember

For those who grew up with Mister Roger’s smiling face, and even those who didn’t, the theme song is familiar in American pop culture. But, while we all remember it as, “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” the lyrics are actually, “It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood.”

7. Mirror, mirror…

Most of us seem to remember the famous phrase from Snow White to be “Mirror, mirror on the wall.” And while this has been recreated and repeated in any number of pop culture references and spoofs, it seems we’ve all got it a little wrong. The correct phrase was “Magic mirror on the wall.”

8. Play it again, Sam

Casablanca is a treasure trove of one-liners, but one of the most beloved and oft-quoted lines isn’t what we remember it to be. The closest Humphrey Bogart got to this famed line was only, “Play it!

9. Toons or Tunes?

Yet another blast from the past has us questioning whether it was Looney Toons or Looney Tunes. Saturday morning is filled with memories of Looney Toons, but the correct spelling of the show was Looney Tunes. 

10. Tinker Bell & the Disney Logo

Remember how Tinker Bell used to write the Disney Logo with her wand and dot the I at the end? While Tink did fly in and sprinkle pixie dust around the Disney logo on several movies, it was never in this exact way that many people remember. 

11. Play me a melody, play me a memory

Song lyrics can be hard to catch, with some musicians abandoning diction for creative expression. This isn’t the case when Billy Joel sings “Piano Man.” We checked, and he clearly sings, “Son, can you play me a memory?” but many people remember it as, “Son, can you play me a melody?”

12. Feel the Febreeeze

Febreze has been around for a while, making the world fresher. So maybe that’s why some people remember the brand as Febreeze, a literal take on product branding. If you remember it with two e’s, here’s one consolation—even people who have worked for the company have gotten it wrong too! 

13. Good morning, Clarice

Hannibal Lecter never said the chilling “Hello Clarice” everyone remembers from the movie. Instead, he said, “Good morning, Clarice.”

14.  “Interview with A Vampire” vs. “Interview with The Vampire”

Whether you’re a fang fan or not, you might remember Anne Rice’s book as “Interview with A Vampire.” Sink your teeth into this—the actual title uses “The,” not “A.”

15.  White-Out our Wite-Out?

Correcting mistakes in the ’90s like a champ, you reach for the White-Out. Wait a minute, it’s spelled “Wite-Out”? That’s right, no ‘h’! It’s like our entire school life was a typo. 

For more Mandella Effect examples, visit: What is The Mandela Effect? (63 Interesting Examples)

What are Some Causes of the Mandela Effect?

Some people say it’s easily explained with psychology and neuroscience, while others might believe different causes. Here are some of the possible causes of the Mandela effect. 

Alternate Realities. This is the most popular non-scientific explanation for the Mandela effect and relies on the belief that infinite worlds and realities exist. This has made for fantastic movie plots, and some physicists even defend the multiverse2. Still, we’ll leave you to decide whether this is the most plausible explanation for the Mandela effect.

The Internet. While disinformation has recently gained more attention, the internet has long been a breeding ground for false information. There are constant announcements of people who have died but are still alive, information that is skewed and reinterpreted, and, let’s not even get into deep fake. If outside forces create the Mandela effect, we point to the internet. 

Priming. You may have heard about this on crime shows; priming is when a person phrases a question so that they give the desired answer. Priming is also when the environment you live in impacts your responses. Our surroundings and what we see, hear, and imagine often shape perception and even memory3. 

Confabulation. As humans, we need resolution, and our brain fills in the gaps that either don’t make sense or are simply missing. This is a great explanation for Mandela effects like Berenstain Bears, where the spelling makes more sense with an e. It’s possible people fill in the gaps and adjust reality to fit their presuppositions.

False Memories. Unlike confabulation, personal desire often fuels false memories5, along with the need for self-relevance, and other unconscious motivations. Researchers continue to be perplexed by false memories, and it remains a controversial topic. 

If nothing else, the Mandela effect is a great conversation starter! If you’re looking for more, check out our 57 Killer Conversation Starters So You Can Start A Conversation With Anyone, Anytime

Article Resources: 

https://psyarxiv.com/nzh3s/ 

https://daily.jstor.org/the-real-science-of-the-multiverse/ 

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1990-16343-001 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536961/ 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3143501/