Book of Judges — New World Translation Study Guide

Testament: 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.

The book of Judges is part of the Hebrew Scriptures and contains 21 chapters. It was written by Samuel (possibly) approximately c. 1050 BC. The central theme running throughout Judges is cycles of sin & deliverance — a foundational message for Jehovah's people as they pursue pure worship and grow in knowledge of Jehovah's purposes.

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:

  1. What recurring cycle appears throughout Judges, and what does it teach about what happens when people drift away from Jehovah?
  2. 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?
  3. What lessons about the consequences of peer pressure and compromise does the account of Samson teach?
  4. How does the account of Deborah and Barak (Judges 4–5) illustrate that Jehovah uses both men and women to accomplish his purpose?
  5. What do the final chapters of Judges (17–21) reveal about the moral collapse that follows when people abandon Jehovah's standards?

How to Study Judges with JW Study

JW Study is a free Bible reading tracker built for Jehovah's Witnesses. Track your progress through all 21 chapters of Judges in the New World Translation, mark completed chapters, take personal study notes, 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.

Consider reading Judges as part of your personal study routine, family worship night, or alongside the weekly meeting schedule. Taking notes on each chapter helps you retain key points and apply the lessons in your ministry.

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 — Journey through 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 just 90 days — the ultimate reading challenge for dedicated readers. (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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