Jewish antiquity, certain supreme magistrates who governed the Israelites from the time of Joshua till the reign of Saul. These judges resembled the Athenian archons or Roman dictators. The dignity of judge was for life, but not always in uninterrupted succession. God himself, by some express declaration of his will, regularly appointed the judges: But the Israelites did not always wait for his appointment, but sometimes chose themselves a judge in times of danger. The power of the judges extended to affairs of peace and war. They were protectors of the laws, defenders of religion, avengers of all crimes; but they could make no laws, nor impose any new burdens upon the people. They lived without pomp or retinue, unless their own fortunes enabled them to do it; for the revenues of their office consisted in voluntary presents from the people. They continued from the death of Joshua till the beginning of the reign of Saul, being a space of about 339 years.

Judges, for ordinary affairs, civil and religious, were appointed by Moses in every city to terminate differences; in affairs of greater consequence, the differ- Judges, and the judge of the people or prince at that time established. Moses likewise set up two courts in all the cities, one consisting of priests and Levites, to determine points concerning the law and religion; the other consisting of heads of families, to decide in civil matters.

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 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 grofs impiety of a new generation which sprung up after the death of Joshua; 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.

Select Judges, (Judices selecti), in antiquity, were persons summoned by the praetor to give their verdict in criminal matters in the Roman courts, as jurists do in ours. No person could be regularly admitted into this number till he was 25 years of age. The Sortitio Judiciorum, or impanelling the jury, was the office of the Juslex Questionis, and was performed after both parties were come into court, for each had a right to reject or challenge whom they pleased, others being substituted in their room. The number of the Judices selecti varied, according to the nature of the charge. When the proper number appeared, they were sworn, took their places in the sublata, and heard the trial.

Judgment, among logicians, a faculty or rather act of the human soul, whereby it compares its ideas, and perceives their agreement or disagreement. See Metaphysics and Logic, Part II.