Book of Judges facts for kids
| Old Testament (Tanakh) |
|---|
|
Old Testament Books of the Old Agreement common to all Christians and Jews)
Additional Books (common to Catholics and Orthodox)
Georgian Orthodox |
The Book of Judges is an exciting book found in the Christian Bible (in the Old Testament) and the Hebrew Tanakh. It was first written in Hebrew. This book tells stories about leaders in ancient Israel. The Hebrew name for the book, Shaptiym, means 'people of judgment'.
Contents
What is the Book of Judges About?
The Book of Judges tells the stories of special leaders called "judges." These judges were not like kings. Instead, they were heroes who often led the people of Israel in battles. They also helped solve problems and make decisions for the community. This is why they were called "judges."
Who Were Some Famous Judges?
The book shares tales of many brave judges. Here are a few well-known ones:
- Samson: He was a very strong man. Samson fought against the Philistines, who were enemies of Israel. After his friend Delilah found out his secret, he was captured. But even at his death, Samson destroyed many enemies by pulling down a building.
- Gideon: He was another famous judge. Gideon led a small army of only 300 men. With God's help, he defeated a much larger army of Midianites.
- Deborah: She was a powerful woman and a judge. Deborah was a military leader, a civil leader, and a religious leader. Many people believe she was one of the most important women in the Bible.
What is the Main Pattern in the Book?
The Book of Judges shows a repeating pattern. It goes like this:
- First, the people of Israel would forget about God.
- Because of this, God would allow their enemies to cause them trouble.
- Then, the people would pray to God for help.
- God would send a new judge to save them.
- This judge would help the people defeat their enemies.
- The people would be happy and peaceful for a while.
- But soon, they would forget God again, and the cycle would repeat.
A Famous Quote from the Book
The book has a famous quote that helps us understand this time:
- In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes (21:25)
This means that without a strong leader like a king, people often did whatever they thought was best, which sometimes led to problems.
See also
In Spanish: Libro de los Jueces para niños
Images for kids
-
"Gideon thanks God for the miracle of the dew", painting by Maarten van Heemskerck (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg)
-
Illustrated page from the Book of Judges in a German Bible dated 1485 (Bodleian Library)
