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Judges 10:1-5
The chapter resumes after Abimelech by naming Tola and Jair, briefly recording their leadership terms, family prominence, and burials.
Meaning in context
After Abimelech, Tola “arose” and is identified by lineage and tribe; his base is Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.
Tola judged for twenty-three years, then died and was buried in Shamir.
Jair the Gileadite arose after Tola and judged for twenty-two years.
Jair has thirty sons, associated with thirty towns; the settlements retain a name linked to Jair in Gilead.
Jair died and was buried in Kamon.
Section 1 of 7
Two judges in quiet succession
The chapter resumes after Abimelech by naming Tola and Jair, briefly recording their leadership terms, family prominence, and burials.
Movement
Life before Israel had a king
Artifact
Cycles of rebellion and deliverance
Biblical Timeline
Exodus & Settlement
Judges context: 1500 BC - 1000 BC
Biblical Timeline
Exodus & Settlement
Judges context
Exodus & Settlement / 1500 BC - 1000 BC
Judges context is set in the exodus and settlement period, where Moses, the exodus, wilderness, covenant instruction, conquest, and judges.
Scripture Text
Thesis
The chapter resumes after Abimelech by naming Tola and Jair, briefly recording their leadership terms, family prominence, and burials.
Plain Meaning
After Abimelech, Tola “arose” and is identified by lineage and tribe; his base is Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.
Tola judged for twenty-three years, then died and was buried in Shamir.
Jair the Gileadite arose after Tola and judged for twenty-two years.
Jair has thirty sons, associated with thirty towns; the settlements retain a name linked to Jair in Gilead.
Jair died and was buried in Kamon.
Literary Context
Following the extended Abimelech account (Judges 9), the narrative shifts to compressed “notice” style: who arose, where they were based, how long they judged, and where they were buried. These notices move the storyline forward between major episodes and set up the renewed conflict that begins in Judges 10:6.
Historical Context
The passage reflects a decentralized period when authority was often regional and tied to households and local settlements. The locations span the central hill country (Shamir) and Transjordan (Gilead), suggesting multiple centers of influence. The mention of thirty sons and thirty towns points to kin-based status and local administration, and the “to this day” note reflects remembered place-names.
Theological Significance
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died (way·yā·māṯ)