BOOK OF JUDGES, a canonical book of the Old Testament, so called from its relating the state of the Israelites under the administration of many illustrious persons who were called judges, from their being both the civil and military governors of the people, and who were raised up by God upon special occasions, after the death of Joshua, till the time of their making a king. In the time of this peculiar polity, there were several remarkable occurrences, which are recorded in this book. It acquaints us with the gross impiety of a new generation which sprung up after the death of Jo-
shua, and gives us a short view of the dispensations of heaven towards this people, sometimes relieving and delivering them, and at others severely chastising them by the hands of their enemies.