Judges 10:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And he judged {H8199} Israel {H3478} twenty {H6242} and three {H7969} years {H8141}, and died {H4191}, and was buried {H6912} in Shamir {H8069}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He judged Isra'el twenty-three years, and when he died he was buried in Shamir.

Berean Standard Bible

Tola judged Israel twenty-three years, and when he died, he was buried in Shamir.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 10:2 concludes the concise account of Tola, son of Puah, detailing the duration of his leadership over Israel and the circumstances of his death and burial. This verse marks the end of a significant period of twenty-three years during which Tola provided a much-needed era of quiet stability and governance, serving as a transitional figure following the tumultuous and violent reign of Abimelech.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 10:2 serves as the concluding statement for Tola's brief tenure as a judge, immediately following his introduction in [Judges 10:1](/judges/10-1 "Judges 10:1 - Tola's Introduction"). His account is notably succinct, characteristic of the "minor judges" in the Book of Judges, whose narratives lack the dramatic military exploits or extensive biographical details found in the stories of figures like Gideon or Samson. This brevity highlights that Tola's contribution was primarily one of maintaining internal order and administering justice, rather than leading grand deliverances. His death and burial in Shamir set the stage for the subsequent judge, Jair, whose similarly brief account follows, preparing the reader for the renewed apostasy and oppression that will soon plunge Israel into further distress.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges was characterized by a decentralized tribal society in Israel, often marked by internal disunity and cycles of apostasy, oppression by foreign powers, and divine deliverance through divinely appointed leaders. Tola's rule of twenty-three years falls within this turbulent era, specifically after the chaos and internal strife instigated by Abimelech's self-proclaimed kingship (recounted in [Judges 9](/judges/9 "Judges 9 - Abimelech's Reign")). His location and burial place in Shamir, within the hill country of Ephraim, suggest his influence was likely centered in this region, reflecting the tribal rather than national scope of leadership during this time. Unlike later periods with a centralized monarchy, judges often held sway over specific regions or tribes, and their authority was more charismatic and judicial than dynastic or military.
* **Key Themes:** Tola's brief mention in [Judges 10:2](/judges/10-2 "Judges 10:2 - Tola's Leadership and Death") contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Judges. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Appointment and Varied Leadership**. God raises up leaders not only for dramatic military victories, as seen with figures like Deborah or Gideon, but also for the quieter, yet equally vital, work of maintaining civil order and administering justice, providing periods of rest and stability for His people (as broadly introduced in [Judges 2:16](/judges/2-16 "Judges 2:16 - God Raises Up Judges")). Secondly, the phrase "died, and was buried" powerfully conveys the **Mortality and Transience of Human Authority**. Regardless of their effectiveness or the duration of their rule, all human leaders are temporary, serving as a stark reminder that ultimate sovereignty belongs to God alone. This constant turnover of leadership reinforces the cyclical nature of the Book of Judges, where the death of a judge often precipitates a return to apostasy and subsequent oppression, as implied in [Judges 2:19](/judges/2-19 "Judges 2:19 - The Cycle Continues")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Judged (Hebrew, _šāpaṭ_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁפַט (_šāpaṭ_), translated as "judged," carries a much broader semantic range than merely presiding over legal disputes. In the context of the Book of Judges, it encompasses the roles of governing, leading, delivering, defending, and administering justice. For Tola, it signifies that he exercised authority, maintained civil order, upheld the Mosaic Law, and provided stability for Israel for over two decades, acting as a divinely appointed leader who brought a period of peace after the chaos of Abimelech's reign.
* **Years (Hebrew, _šānāh_):** The Hebrew word שָׁנָה (_šānāh_), meaning "year" or "years," emphasizes the significant duration of Tola's leadership—twenty-three years. This extended period highlights the sustained stability and quiet governance he provided, contrasting sharply with the short, violent, and illegitimate rule of Abimelech. It underscores that even without dramatic military campaigns, a long tenure of faithful administration was a valuable contribution to Israel's well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he judged Israel twenty and three years":** This clause succinctly states the primary function and duration of Tola's leadership. The verb "judged" (šāpaṭ) implies not just judicial arbitration but comprehensive governance, leadership, and the maintenance of order. The specific number "twenty and three years" signifies a substantial period of consistent rule, providing a much-needed respite and stability for the nation after the preceding turmoil. It underscores that Tola's impact was in steady administration rather than dramatic intervention.
* **"and died":** This simple yet profound phrase serves as a universal declaration of human mortality. In the context of the Book of Judges, it marks the definitive end of a period of leadership and often signals a transition point in the cyclical narrative, frequently preceding a decline into apostasy and subsequent oppression. It highlights the temporary nature of all human authority and the inevitable passing of even divinely appointed leaders.
* **"and was buried in Shamir":** This final detail provides a specific geographical marker for Tola's resting place. Shamir was located in the hill country of Ephraim, indicating Tola's tribal affiliation and the regional scope of his influence. The mention of his burial signifies the finality of his earthly service and the completion of his life's work, providing closure to his brief narrative. It also grounds his story in the physical landscape of Israel, connecting his leadership to a specific locale.

#### Literary Devices
The brevity and almost formulaic nature of [Judges 10:2](/judges/10-2 "Judges 10:2 - Tola's Leadership and Death") employ several **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Conciseness** or **Brevity**, which contrasts sharply with the more detailed accounts of other judges. This brevity itself is a form of **Emphasis**, subtly highlighting that Tola's significance lay not in dramatic events but in the quiet, consistent maintenance of order. The verse also uses **Formulaic Language** ("died, and was buried"), which is a recurring phrase throughout the Book of Judges and other historical books of the Old Testament, serving to mark the end of a leader's tenure and the passage of time. This formula creates a sense of rhythm and inevitability, underscoring the transient nature of human life and leadership. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **Contrast** when read in its immediate literary context, presenting a period of relative peace and stability under Tola after the violent and chaotic reign of Abimelech, thus serving as a narrative breath before the next cycle of Israel's apostasy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 10:2, though brief, offers profound theological insights into God's sovereignty and the nature of leadership. It reminds us that God's work is accomplished not only through grand, miraculous interventions but also through the quiet, faithful administration of justice and the maintenance of peace by His appointed servants. Tola's long, stable rule, even without dramatic military victories, was a testament to God's grace in providing rest for His people. The verse's stark declaration of Tola's death serves as a universal reminder of the transience of all human authority and the ultimate, unchanging sovereignty of God. It underscores the theological truth that human leaders are temporary instruments in God's eternal plan, and our ultimate trust must always be placed in the Lord, not in princes or human institutions.

* [Judges 2:16](/judges/2-16 "God Raises Up Judges")
* [Psalm 146:3-4](/psalms/146-3-4 "Do Not Trust in Princes")
* [1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "Rejection of God's Rule")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The quiet account of Tola in Judges 10:2 offers a powerful counter-narrative to our modern emphasis on visible impact and dramatic achievements. Tola's twenty-three years of "judging" Israel, marked by stability rather than sensationalism, remind us that faithful, consistent service, even in less prominent roles, is profoundly valuable in God's eyes. It challenges us to recognize and appreciate the quiet work of those who diligently maintain order, administer justice, and foster peace in our communities, churches, and families. This verse encourages us to serve faithfully in our own spheres of influence, understanding that our time is limited, but our consistent dedication, empowered by God's grace, can bring significant blessing and stability. It also prompts us to reflect on the temporary nature of all human leadership and to place our ultimate hope and trust in God, who alone is eternal and unchanging.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Tola's quiet, long-term leadership challenge our contemporary cultural emphasis on immediate, visible, and dramatic achievements?**
* **What does the brevity of Tola's biblical account teach us about the true measure of faithfulness and success in God's kingdom?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and communities, better appreciate and support those who serve faithfully in less prominent or "behind-the-scenes" roles?**

### FAQ

**Why is Tola's account so brief compared to other judges like Gideon or Samson?**

Answer: Tola is considered one of the "minor judges" in the Book of Judges, a category that includes figures like Shamgar, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. Their accounts are brief because their primary contribution was not through dramatic military deliverances or extensive narratives of personal struggle, but rather through providing periods of internal stability, administering justice, and maintaining order. The book's literary purpose for these judges is to mark the passage of time and highlight intermittent periods of rest for Israel, often serving as transitions between more tumultuous eras. Tola's twenty-three years of quiet governance in [Judges 10:2](/judges/10-2 "Tola's Leadership") served to stabilize the nation after the chaos of Abimelech's reign, even if his specific actions are not detailed.

**What is the significance of "Shamir" as Tola's burial place?**

Answer: Shamir was located in the hill country of Ephraim, a central and significant tribal territory in ancient Israel. The mention of Tola's burial there in [Judges 10:2](/judges/10-2 "Tola's Burial Place") indicates his regional connection and likely the primary sphere of his influence. During the period of the Judges, Israel was not a unified monarchy, but a loose confederation of tribes. Judges often exercised authority over specific regions or tribes rather than the entire nation. Tola's burial in Shamir grounds his leadership in a particular geographical and tribal context, reinforcing the decentralized nature of Israelite society at the time and highlighting that his service, though quiet, was impactful within his sphere.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The transient nature of Tola's leadership, culminating in the stark declaration "and died, and was buried," powerfully foreshadows the need for an eternal and perfect King who would not be subject to the limitations of human mortality. While Tola provided a period of much-needed stability for Israel, his death inevitably opened the door for the cyclical pattern of apostasy and oppression to resume, as was common after the passing of a judge (see [Judges 2:19](/judges/2-19 "The Cycle of Disobedience")). This constant turnover of human leaders, each with their own limitations and finite tenure, points to the ultimate and enduring reign of Jesus Christ. Unlike Tola, who "judged Israel twenty and three years" and then died, Christ is the eternal King and Judge, whose kingdom "will never be destroyed" (as prophesied in [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "The Everlasting Kingdom")). He is the one of whom it is said, "He holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever" ([Hebrews 7:24](/hebrews/7-24 "Christ's Permanent Priesthood")). Tola's quiet governance, though a blessing, was but a shadow of the perfect justice and everlasting peace brought by the true Son of David, the "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "The Everlasting King and Prince of Peace")), who not only judges perfectly but also gives His life as the ultimate sacrifice, conquering death itself, and establishing a kingdom that knows no end.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.