Book of Judges — New World Translation Study Guide
Section: Hebrew Scriptures · Chapters: 21 · Written by: Samuel (possibly) · Approximate date: c. 1050 BC · Theme: Cycles of Sin & Deliverance
Summary of the Book of Judges
Judges documents a recurring pattern: Israel abandons Jehovah, faces oppression from surrounding nations, cries out, and Jehovah raises up a judge to deliver them. It reveals humanity's need to remain loyal to Jehovah.
Why the Book of Judges Matters Today
Judges shows what happens when people drift from Jehovah: spiritual decline, social chaos, and the summary statement 'each one was doing what was right in his own eyes' (Judges 21:25) — a striking description of the modern world. The book is also a sustained demonstration of Jehovah's mercy, repeatedly raising up deliverers when Israel cried out in repentance. For Witnesses today, Judges is a sober reminder that drift is gradual but devastating, while also being a steady source of encouragement: Jehovah responds to genuine cries for help even from those who have failed before.
Key Verses in Judges
- Judg 2:16
- Judg 21:25
Notable Passages in Judges
Judges 2:16
Jehovah raising up judges to deliver Israel shows his patient mercy even toward those who repeatedly cycle through unfaithfulness.
Judges 21:25
The summary that 'everyone was doing what was right in his own eyes' describes the moral chaos that follows rejection of Jehovah's authority.
Judges 7:2
Jehovah reducing Gideon's army to 300 men demonstrated that victory belongs to Jehovah, not to human numbers or strength.
Study Questions for Judges
As you read the book of Judges, reflect on these questions to deepen your understanding and appreciation of Jehovah's Word:
- What recurring cycle appears throughout Judges, and what does it teach about what happens when people drift away from Jehovah?
- How did the account of Gideon's victory with only 300 men (Judges 7) demonstrate that Jehovah's power is not limited by numbers or human resources?
- What lessons about the consequences of peer pressure and compromise does the account of Samson teach?
- How does the account of Deborah and Barak (Judges 4–5) illustrate that Jehovah uses both men and women to accomplish his purpose?
- What do the final chapters of Judges (17–21) reveal about the moral collapse that follows when people abandon Jehovah's standards?
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges
- Who wrote the book of Judges?
- Samuel is traditionally identified as the writer of Judges, compiling it around 1100 BCE based on existing records of the period.
- When was the book of Judges written?
- Judges was written approximately 1100 BCE, recording roughly 330 years of Israel's history between Joshua's death and the beginning of the monarchy under Saul.
- What is the main theme of Judges?
- Judges traces a recurring cycle of unfaithfulness, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The book demonstrates both the disastrous consequences of abandoning Jehovah and the depth of his mercy toward those who return to him.
How to Study Judges with JW Study
Track your progress through all 21 chapters of Judges in the New World Translation, mark completed chapters as you read, save personal notes on key passages, and build a consistent daily Bible reading habit. Use it alongside JW Library and the publications available at wol.jw.org to deepen your understanding of Jehovah's Word.
Reading Plans That Include Judges
The book of Judges is covered in the following structured reading plans on NWT Progress. Each plan divides the reading evenly across a set number of days to help you stay consistent.
- NWT in 1 Year — Read the entire New World Translation, all 66 books, in 365 days. (365 days, 1189 chapters)
- Hebrew Scriptures in 1 Year — Read all 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures over the course of a year. (365 days, 929 chapters)
- Intensive: Bible in 90 Days — Cover all 66 books in 90 days with a steady, focused schedule. (90 days, 1189 chapters)
Related Bible Study Topics
Deepen your study of the Bible with these related topics from JW Study:
- Is Jesus God? — Understanding Jesus' identity as the Son of God — distinct from Jehovah
- Jesus and Michael the Archangel — Scriptural evidence that Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel
- Holy Spirit — Person or Force? — The Bible shows the holy spirit is God's active force, not a third person
- Holy Spirit Is Not a Person — Key Verses — Scriptural proof that the holy spirit is God's active force, not a person
- The Trinity Is Not Biblical — Key Verses — Scripture consistently distinguishes the Father from the Son — the Trinity doctrine has no Bible basis
- The Angel of the Lord Is Michael — Key Verses — Scriptural evidence connecting the angel of Jehovah, Michael the archangel, and Jesus Christ
- What Is the Soul? — The Bible defines the soul as a living being — not an immortal inner entity
- What Happens When We Die? — Death is a state of unconscious sleep — not heaven, hell, or purgatory
- God's Kingdom — What Is It? — A real government in heaven that will rule over a paradise earth
- Why Does God Allow Suffering? — Understanding the issue of universal sovereignty and why Jehovah permits evil for now
- The Sanctity of Blood — Why Jehovah commands us to abstain from blood — and what this means today
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