Judge

A government official who had different duties at different periods of history. In the time of Moses, judges settled arguments among the people. During the four hundred years before the Israelites asked for a king, God spoke through judges who led His people. They ruled during peacetimes and led in wars. Deborah, Gideon, and Samuel were well-known judges. After kings began to rule Israel, judges again became those who settled disputes and took care of official business. Six thousand Levites were appointed to be officers and judges.