In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Judges 21:25 KJV
About the Book of Judges
Judges covers the roughly three centuries between Joshua and the first king. It repeats a cycle: Israel abandons God, an enemy oppresses them, they cry out, and God raises a deliverer called a judge. Figures include Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah and Samson. As the cycle continues the leaders become more flawed and the nation more chaotic, ending with violent and disturbing stories in the final chapters. The refrain that there was no king in Israel prepares the way for the books of Samuel.
- Testament: Old Testament
- Genre: History
- Chapters: 21
- Verses: 618
Who Wrote Judges, and When?
Author: Anonymous; Jewish tradition suggests Samuel.
When it was written: Probably written in the early monarchy, around the 10th-6th centuries BC.
Main Themes in Judges
- Cycles of sin and rescue
- Flawed leadership
- Moral chaos without direction
A Key Verse: Judges 21:25
In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
The last verse sums up the book's diagnosis and works as a bridge to the monarchy that follows.
Reading Tip
These are not models to imitate; the narrator often lets the grim events speak for themselves without comment. Use the randomizer above to land on a verse in Judges, then press Show context to read the verses around it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many chapters and verses are in Judges?
Judges has 21 chapters and 618 verses in the King James Version.
Who wrote Judges?
Author: Anonymous; Jewish tradition suggests Samuel. When it was written: Probably written in the early monarchy, around the 10th-6th centuries BC.
What is Judges about?
Judges covers the roughly three centuries between Joshua and the first king. It repeats a cycle: Israel abandons God, an enemy oppresses them, they cry out, and God raises a deliverer called a judge. Figures include Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah and Samson. As the cycle continues the leaders become more flawed and the nation more chaotic, ending with violent and disturbing stories in the final chapters. The refrain that there was no king in Israel prepares the way for the books of Samuel.
Can I get a random verse from only Judges?
Yes. This page picks a random verse from Judges only. Every one of its 618 verses has an equal chance.