Who wrote the book of Judges?

Answer 1

Another answer from our community:

Almost definitely not Joshua. There is no historical proof he existed. If there was proof of Moses, it would mean Joshua would exist as well. The Book of Joshua is considered part fo the Deuteronomic History (Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and 2 Kings) written in Jerusalem by an anonymous source now known as the Deuteronomist, during the seventh-century BCE.

Another answer:

Traditionalists attribute the Book of Joshua to Joshua himself.

Scholars say that the Book of Joshua was written during the middle of the first millennium BCE by an anonymous source now known as the Deuteronomist, based on older oral and written sources. However, I believe the history of the book is more complicated, since some of the material must be of post-Exilic origin. The Book of Joshua probably went through a series of edits and redactions before finally reaching the form we see today. Historians point out that there seems to have been no military conquest of the Canaanite cities, thus ruling out Joshua as the real author.

Answer 2

Another answer from our community:

The Book of Judges does not specifically name its author. The tradition is that the Prophet Samuel was the author of Judges. Internal evidence indicates that the author of Judges lived shortly after the period of the Judges. Samuel fits this qualification. The Holy Spirit wrote Judges. 2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God".

Answer 3

A:Biblical scholars say that the Book of Judges was written in Jerusalem during the seventh century BCE as part of the Deuteronomic History (Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and 2 Kings). Judges underwent changes and additions during and after the sixth-century-BCE Babylonian Exile, either in Babylon or in Jerusalem. This can be seen in Judges 8:30, which relates the historical development of the priesthood in the tribe of Dan until the Exile: "and Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land."

Answer 4

Scholars have carefully examined the Book of Judges and found a consistency of style with the preceding book, Joshua, and with the Books of Samuel and Kings. They also note that these books form a well-integrated set of works that report the traditions and history of Israel and Judah from the time of Joshua to the end of the monarchy.

As a result, they conclude that they were all written by a single author late in the monarchical period. That author has been identified as the author of Deuteronomy because of consistency of style with that book and because Deuteronomywas written in the right time period - the reign of King Josiah of Judah. Thus, the anonymous author now known as the Deuteronomist wrote Judges.

Answer 5

Tradition states that Samuel the Prophet wrote the Book of Judges (Talmud, Bava Batra 14b). This tradition has been handed down unanimously by the entire Jewish nation in an unbroken chain since that time, and there is no sound reason to doubt it. Theories which claim otherwise are recent and are based upon no physical evidence.See also:

More about Samuel

Refuting Deuteronomist hypotheses

Answer 6

The Book of Joshua is considered part of the Deuteronomic History (Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and 2 Kings) written in Jerusalem by an anonymous source now known as the Deuteronomist, during the seventh-century BCE.

Answer 7

Joshua wrote the book that bears his name (Talmud, Bava Bathra 14b). The passage concerning his death (Joshua ch.24) was appended by a prophet at that time (ibid). See also:

Refuting anonymous-authors theories

More about Joshua

Answer 8

The book of Judges was most likely written by Samuel who was the last Judge of Israel. The original writer is not known with absolute certainty.