Did Israel occupy the land for 300 years or 410 years?

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
*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

^

Archer, Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Revised and Expanded ed. Chicago, IL: Moody, 2007. 250.

About The Author

James Rochford

James earned a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, graduating magna cum laude. He is the founder of Evidence Unseen and the author of several books. James enjoys serving as a pastor at Dwell Community Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and their two sons.

Did Israel occupy the land for 300 years or 410 years? Old Testament Judges Difficulties judges 11:26

Claim:

Response:

Judges

Enemy Nation

Years of Oppression

Years of Deliverance

Approximate Date

Reference

Did Israel occupy the land for 300 years or 410 years?

Old Testament

Judges

Difficulties

judges 11:26