Judge
In Scripture, a judge is one who renders decisions according to justice. The term can refer both to human leaders and to God, who is the righteous Judge of all.
At a Glance
In Scripture, a judge is one who renders decisions according to justice. The term can refer both to human leaders and to God, who is the righteous Judge of all.
Description
In biblical usage, a judge is one who renders decisions, upholds justice, and in some contexts exercises leadership over a people. Human judges in Israel were responsible to judge fairly and in submission to God's law, while the leaders described in the book of Judges also served as deliverers during periods of oppression. Scripture also speaks of God as Judge in the fullest sense: he judges with perfect righteousness, knows the heart, and will bring all people to account. In Christian theology, final judgment belongs to God, and the New Testament also speaks of Christ as the one appointed to judge. Because the term can refer to a human office, a historical role, or God's own judicial authority, the safest definition is broad and context-sensitive.