Old Testament
Joshua
The biblical book of Joshua describes the conquest and settlement of the land of Canaan by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua, who succeeded Moses as the leader of the Israelites. The book is divided into two main parts: the conquest of the land and the distribution of the land among...
Judge Othniel (Judges 3:8-11)
Othniel (עָתְנִיאֵל בֶּן קְנַז, Otniel ben Kenaz) was the first of the judges of Israel. The name Othniel can be interpreted as „Protector of God“ or „Protection (is) God“. Some time after the death of Joshua, the Israelites once again turned to sin and fell under the subjection of...
Judge Ehud (Judges 3:12-30)
Ehud (אֵהוּד בֶּן־גֵּרָא, Ehúd ben Géráh) is the second judge who was sent by God to deliver the Israelites from Moabite domination resulting in peace lasting for eighty years. He is described as being left-handed and a member of the Tribe of Benjamin. The judge is sent to the Moabite King...
Judge Shamgar (Judges 3:31)
Shamgar deflected Philistine raids into Israel and slaughtered 600 of the invaders with an ox goad. The text is very unordinary compared with the records of other judges. The reference to Shamgar has no introduction, conclusion, or relation to the length of reign. It continues directly from the...
Judge Debora and Barak (Judges 4:1-5:31)
Deborah was the fourth judge and the only female judge mentioned in the Bible. She presented her judgments underneath a date palm tree. Since Deborah had a prophetic gift, she instructed Barak that God appointed him to lead an attack against Jabin, the king of Canaan, and his military commander...