What is the subtitle of Judges?

• A. The Reign of the Judges
• B. The Faithfulness of Israel
• C. The Ministry of 12 military reformers, 13 if Deborah and Barak counted individually
• D. The Deliverance Narratives

Answer: (C)

Judges is best understood as a record of a succession of leaders who act as military deliverers and reformers for the people during crises. The subtitle used in many course materials emphasizes this sequence of leaders—their ministry in guiding Israel through oppression to deliverance. If you count Deborah and Barak as two distinct leaders, you arrive at thirteen, which fits the idea of multiple, individual acts of leadership rather than a single reign or a general theme. This framing highlights the book’s structure: a pattern of oppression, courageous leadership, and renewed faith that rests on the actions of these judges. The other options don’t capture the way the book presents these distinct leaders and their reforming, deliverance-focused roles.