CLAIM: Judges 11:26 states that Israel lived in the land for 300 years. However, if you add the reigns of the judges, you reach a number 410 years. Which is true?
RESPONSE: The judges had coregencies –much like the kings of Israel. For instance, Judges 10:7 implies that Samson and Jepthah lived side by side. This chart –from Gleason Archer’s A Survey of Old Testament Introduction –lists the judges and their approximate dates. As you can see, many of the judges ruled alongside one another.
The Judges of Israel[1] |
|||||
Judges |
Enemy Nation |
Years of Oppression |
Years of Deliverance |
Approximate Date |
Reference |
|
Othniel |
Mesopotamia |
8 |
40 |
1374-1334 |
3:9-11 |
|
Ehud |
Moab, Ammon, Midian |
18 |
80 |
1316-1235 |
3:15-30 |
|
Shamgar |
Midian |
|
|
1230 |
3:31 |
|
Deborah |
Canaan |
20 |
40 |
1216-1176 |
4:4-5:31 |
|
Barak |
Canaan |
20 |
40 |
1216-1176 |
4:4-5:31 |
|
Gideon |
Midian |
7 |
40 |
1120-1097 |
10:1-2 |
|
Jair |
Amalek |
|
22 |
1120-1097 |
10:3-5 |
|
Jephthah |
Ammon |
18 |
6 |
1085-1079 |
11:1-12:7 |
|
Ibzan |
Ammon |
|
7 |
1079-1072 |
12:8-10 |
|
Elon |
Ammon |
|
10 |
1072-1062 |
12:11-12 |
|
Abdon |
Ammon |
|
8 |
1062-1054 |
12:13-15 |
|
Samson |
Philistia |
40 |
20 |
1095-1075 |
13:2-16:31 |
[1] Archer, Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Revised and Expanded ed. Chicago, IL: Moody, 2007. 250.