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After the death of Joshua, the leaders of the Israelites for 360 years were the Judges. The first of them was Othniel ben Kenaz.See also the Related Links.Link: More about JoshuaLink: More about the Judges
After Joshua's death, the Israelites were given land allocation based on tribes. So they separated into the twelve tribes and began dwelling there.Since Moses (the mediator of the covenant) and Joshua (Moses successor) were gone, "Judges" were raised up to help govern the land.These Judges were selected by Jehovah God and there were Judges from various tribes.Note:The first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy) were written by Moses.The sixth book "Joshua", was written by Joshua himself.The seventh book "Judges" covers the approximate 330 years when Judges were viewed as the law of the land. This book was written by the prophet Samuel.Samuel had the privilege of anointing Israel's first King, Saul.See attached links for more info on "Judges"
The Judges served for about 350 years (1244 to 879 BCE, according to traditional chronology), from the death of joshua until the time of King Saul. They served as Judges, as military leaders when the nation was under threat, and as spiritual leaders.OthnielEhudShamgarDeborahGideonAbimelechTolaYairJepthahIbzanElonAbdonSamsonEliSamuel
Judges. These were leaders who guided the people, often adjudicated matters of dispute, sometimes led the people in war, and in a few instances were prophets. They served for some 350 years.
The Book of Judges forms part of what is now known as the Deuteronomic History (Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings) and is about events purportedly occurring in Israel before the start of the monarchy under King Saul. The earliest material is believed to be the 'Song of Deborah' (Judges chapter 5). It is unclear how much of the Book of Judges is based on fact, but some scholars doubt the the period of the Judges really encompassed 400 years.
Tradition puts the time of the Judges from the death of Joshua (1244 BCE) until the anointing of King Saul, some 355 years later. During that time there were no kings among the Israelites (Judges 19:1), because God ruled them (ibid. 8:23), meaning that they still felt God's presence strongly enough to not need a king. For a list of the Judges, see the attached Related Link.
Joshua, and then the Judges. Total: about 385 years.
The Judges served as military leaders when the nation was under threat, and as teachers and spiritual leaders.The Judges served for about 365 years (1244 to 879 BCE, according to traditional chronology), from the death of Joshua until the time of King Saul. OthnielEhudShamgarDeborahGideonAbimelechTolaYairJepthahIbzanElonAbdonSamsonEliSamuelSee also:Jewish history timelineTransition from Judges to KingsMore about the Hebrew BibleIn addition to the above, there have been regular judges, from the time of Moses (Exodus ch.18) down to this day. These are Torah-scholars whose function is to adjudicate disputes according to Torah-procedure.
Joshua died of advanced "years" It says in the book of Joshua 23:1 And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age. 23:2 And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age: In the next chapter after Joshua had spoken and let everyone leave it says: 24:29 And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.
1) Joshua.2) The Judges.The Judges served for about 350 years (1244 to 879 BCE, according to traditional chronology), from the death of joshua until the time of King Saul. They served as Judges, as military leaders when the nation was under threat, and as spiritual leaders.OthnielEhudShamgarDeborahGideonAbimelechTolaYairJepthahIbzanElonAbdonSamsonEliSamuel
Joshua became the leader at the age of 82 and led the Israelites for 28 years. See also:More about Joshua
The Patriarchs and their family were in Israel (Canaan) for 220 years. After that they sojourned in Egypt for a couple of centuries.The era from Joshua until the First Destruction (including the Judges and Kings) was 850 years, during which the Israelites and the people of Judah remained in Israel. The Ten Israelite Tribes were exiled one century before the end of this era.See:More about this