Judges 10 2

Judges 10:2 kjv

And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.

Judges 10:2 nkjv

He judged Israel twenty-three years; and he died and was buried in Shamir.

Judges 10:2 niv

He led Israel twenty-three years; then he died, and was buried in Shamir.

Judges 10:2 esv

And he judged Israel twenty-three years. Then he died and was buried at Shamir.

Judges 10:2 nlt

He judged Israel for twenty-three years. When he died, he was buried in Shamir.

Judges 10 verses

Judges 10 2 Meaning

Judges 10:2 records the duration and peaceful end of Tola's leadership as a judge over Israel. After delivering Israel and judging them for twenty-three years, Tola passed away and was laid to rest in Shamir. This verse concisely marks the completion of his divinely appointed role, signifying a period of respite and relative stability for the nation after previous oppression.

Judges 10 2 Context

Judges 10:2 falls within the post-Abimelech narrative of Judges. Following the tumultuous, ungodly, and violent self-appointed "kingship" of Abimelech (Judg 9), Tola is introduced as God's chosen deliverer. Tola is a "minor judge" in the book's typology, meaning his narrative is brief, focusing solely on the duration of his peaceful tenure, his death, and burial, without detailing his specific acts of deliverance or significant battles. His quiet appearance and peaceful departure contrast sharply with the preceding chaos and prefigure the nation's continuing cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, and divine intervention through various leaders. This verse establishes a period of stability before the narrative transitions to Jair, another "minor judge," and eventually to the intense oppression by the Ammonites that precipitates the call for Jephthah.

Judges 10 2 Word analysis

• And he judged (וַיִּשְׁפֹּט, vayyishpot):
  • Word: shaphat (שָׁפַט) means "to judge," "to govern," "to execute justice," "to rule," "to deliver."
  • Analysis: In the context of the Book of Judges, this verb carries a broader meaning than simply rendering legal decisions. It encompasses leading the people, delivering them from oppressors, maintaining justice, and guiding them spiritually. Tola's "judging" indicates his divinely ordained role as a leader who brought order and stability.
• Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisrael):
  • Word: The covenant name for Jacob, symbolizing God's people.
  • Analysis: This refers to the collective twelve tribes, though Tola's direct sphere of influence may have been localized (he was from Issachar, buried in Ephraim). It signifies that his service benefited the entire nation, not just a segment, by restoring order.
• twenty and three years (עֶשְׂרִים וְשָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנָה, esrim v'shalosh shanah):
  • Word: A specific numerical duration.
  • Analysis: This precisely stated duration emphasizes the significant period of peace and order under Tola's leadership. Unlike more dramatic judges, his defining characteristic recorded here is the duration of stable rule, highlighting God's faithfulness in providing long seasons of rest for His people, even through humble means. Such precise numbers reflect historical accuracy in the ancient Near East and Biblical narratives.
• and died (וַיָּמֹת, vayyamot):
  • Word: mut (מוּת) means "to die."
  • Analysis: This is a stark reminder of human mortality and the temporary nature of earthly leadership. Even divinely appointed deliverers are subject to death, underscoring that the ultimate deliverer is God alone. It transitions the reader to the next phase of Israel's history.
• and was buried (וַיִּקָּבֵר, vayyiqqaver):
  • Word: qabar (קָבַר) means "to bury," "to inter."
  • Analysis: A common biblical way to indicate the finality of death and the passing of a leader. It implies a dignified end and proper treatment according to societal custom, a mark of respect, even for a "minor" judge.
• in Shamir (בְּשָׁמִיר, b'Shamir):
  • Word: A geographical place name.
  • Analysis: Shamir is identified as being in the hill country of Ephraim (Jos 17:15). This specific detail grounds Tola's story historically and geographically. While his lineage is from Issachar (Judg 10:1), his burial place in Ephraim might suggest a relocation or perhaps that his judicial seat was in Ephraim, making his influence more central to the tribal territories of Israel. It ties his life and death directly to the land of Israel, the inheritance God gave His people.

Judges 10 2 Bonus section

The Book of Judges often categorizes judges as "major" (e.g., Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson) or "minor" (e.g., Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon). Tola fits the "minor judge" category, characterized by brief mentions focusing on their lineage, duration of rule, death, and burial, rather than detailed narratives of their specific acts of deliverance. This distinction is not about the importance of their service, but rather the literary scope dedicated to their stories in the text. Tola's inclusion, despite his brevity, is vital. It reinforces the cyclical nature of Judges, demonstrating that even after devastating periods like Abimelech's tyranny, God continued to show mercy and provide deliverers. His "twenty and three years" represent God's patience and enduring covenant loyalty to Israel, granting them seasons of repose despite their continuous inclination towards idolatry and rebellion. Tola’s life reminds us that true impact in God's service is not always flamboyant or public but can be found in sustained faithfulness and bringing forth a long-lasting period of order and peace for His people.

Judges 10 2 Commentary

Judges 10:2, though brief, provides essential insights into Tola's quiet but significant role within Israel's cyclical history. His twenty-three years of judgment represent a substantial period of peace and stability, highlighting God's consistent provision of rest for His often-wayward people, even through leaders who aren't celebrated with extensive military exploits. Tola's judgeship follows the chaotic, self-serving reign of Abimelech, underscoring God's grace in immediately raising a true deliverer. His unadorned biography—just duration, death, and burial—contrasts sharply with the more detailed and dramatic accounts of major judges like Gideon or Samson. Yet, it serves as a powerful testament to faithful, unassuming leadership, where the impact is measured in sustained peace rather than spectacular events. The concise summary emphasizes the repetitive pattern in Judges: God raises a leader, they serve for a period, they die, and then Israel often reverts to sin, demonstrating the constant need for divine intervention and the temporary nature of human authority. Tola reminds us that quiet faithfulness and consistent leadership are equally, if not more, valuable than celebrated heroism in God's eyes.

• Example: Just as a consistent, quiet peace officer maintains order without grand headlines, Tola provided stability for two decades, a vital role easily overlooked but crucial for national well-being.
• Example: The unsung hero who faithfully tends to a community's needs over many years, ensuring quiet progress, mirrors Tola's vital yet understated service.