I. Leadership and Social Structure:;xNLx;;xNLx;Judges (e.g., Judges 2:16-19, and as titles for individuals like Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson): Charismatic leaders, often military deliverers, raised up by God to rescue the Israelites from foreign oppressors during specific crises. Their role was typically regional and temporary, not hereditary kingship. Beyond military leadership, some (like Deborah) also dispensed justice and provided guidance.;xNLx;Elders (e.g., Judges 2:7; 8:14, 16; 11:5-11; 19:16 [implied]; 21:16): Respected senior men of a city, tribe, or the nation, who held positions of influence and authority, often involved in decision-making, counsel, and resolving disputes.;xNLx;Clan / Family (Hebrew: mishpachah) (e.g., Judges 1:2 [Judah and Simeon as "brother" clans]; 6:15; 9:1; 13:2; 17:7; 18:2, 11, 19; 21:17, 24): A kinship group larger than an immediate family, forming a subdivision of a tribe, crucial for social identity, land inheritance, and mutual support.;xNLx;Tribe (e.g., Judges 1:2-4, and throughout, referring to the twelve tribes of Israel): The major divisions of the Israelite people, descended from the sons of Jacob (Israel). The book often highlights the actions and interactions (or lack thereof) between different tribes.;xNLx;Deliverer / Savior (e.g., Judges 3:9, 15; used to describe the function of judges): One who rescues or saves, specifically referring to the judges whom God raised to free Israel from oppression.;xNLx;Oppression / Oppressors (e.g., Judges 2:18; 3:9, 12; 4:3; 6:1-6; 10:7-9, 12): The harsh and unjust rule or domination by foreign nations over the Israelites as a consequence of their disobedience to God.;xNLx;Head / Chief (e.g., Judges 10:18; 11:8-9, 11): A leader or principal figure, particularly in the context of Jephthah being made "head and commander" over Gilead.;xNLx;II. Religious and Cultic Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Apostasy / Forsake the LORD (e.g., Judges 2:11-13, 17, 19; 3:7; 8:27, 33; 10:6, 10, 13): The act of abandoning or renouncing faith in and obedience to Yahweh, the God of Israel, often by turning to worship other gods. This is a central theme triggering the downward spiral in the judges cycle.;xNLx;Baal / Baals (e.g., Judges 2:11, 13; 3:7; 6:25, 28, 30-32; 8:33; 10:6, 10): A prominent Canaanite storm and fertility god. "Baals" refers to various local manifestations or representations of this deity. Worship of Baal was a major form of Israelite apostasy.;xNLx;Asherah / Asheroth / Asherim (e.g., Judges 3:7; 6:25-26, 28, 30): A Canaanite mother goddess, often associated with Baal. "Asheroth" or "Asherim" can refer to images of the goddess, often wooden poles or trees, erected near altars.;xNLx;Idol / Graven Image / Molten Image / Ephod / Teraphim (e.g., Judges 8:27 [Gideon's ephod]; 17:3-5; 18:14, 17-18, 20, 24, 30-31): Objects of worship representing deities other than Yahweh, or improper representations used in Yahweh's worship.;xNLx;Ephod (Judges 8:27; 17:5; 18:14-20): In Judges, this term appears in contexts suggesting an object of idolatrous worship or divination (Gideon's ephod) or a priestly garment used in an irregular shrine (Micah's ephod). This is distinct from the High Priest's ephod described in Exodus and Leviticus.;xNLx;Teraphim (Judges 17:5; 18:14, 17-18, 20): Household idols or images, possibly used for divination or as protective deities.;xNLx;Consecrate (e.g., Judges 17:3, 5, 12): To set apart for a sacred purpose. In Judges, this term is sometimes used in the context of irregular or syncretistic worship, such as Micah consecrating his son and later a Levite as priests for his shrine.;xNLx;Altar (e.g., Judges 2:2; 6:24-26, 28, 30-32; 13:20; 21:4): A raised structure used for offering sacrifices. The book mentions both altars to Yahweh and altars to false gods that were to be torn down.;xNLx;Sacrifice / Offering (e.g., Judges 2:5; 6:18, 20-21, 26, 28; 11:31, 39-40 [Jephthah's vow]; 13:16, 19, 23; 16:23 [Philistines to Dagon]; 20:26; 21:4): Ritual acts of presenting gifts (often animals or grain) to a deity. Judges records both legitimate (though sometimes in irregular places) sacrifices to Yahweh and pagan sacrifices.;xNLx;Vow (e.g., Judges 11:30-31, 35-36, 39 [Jephthah's vow]; 21:1, 5, 7, 18): A solemn promise made to God (or, in pagan contexts, to other deities) to perform a specific act or offer a particular sacrifice, often in return for divine favor or deliverance.;xNLx;Curse (e.g., Judges 5:23 [Meroz]; 9:20, 27, 57; 17:2; 21:1, 5, 18): An invocation of divine harm or judgment upon a person, people, or place.;xNLx;Bless / Blessing (e.g., Judges 1:15; 5:2, 9, 24; 17:2): An invocation or bestowal of divine favor, prosperity, or well-being.;xNLx;House of God / Sanctuary (Judges 18:31; 20:18, 26-27; 21:2): Often refers to the central sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant was located (e.g., Shiloh during this period), though sometimes used more generally for a place of worship. Micah also establishes his own "house of gods" (Judges 17:5).;xNLx;III. Military and Warfare Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Chariots (Iron Chariots) (e.g., Judges 1:19; 4:3, 7, 13, 15-16; 5:28): War vehicles used by the Canaanites, particularly on the plains, representing superior military technology that the Israelites often struggled against, especially when lacking faith in God's power.;xNLx;Ambush (e.g., Judges 9:25, 32, 34, 43; 16:2, 9, 12; 20:29, 33, 36-38): A common military tactic involving a surprise attack from a concealed position.;xNLx;Spoil / Plunder (e.g., Judges 2:14, 16; 5:19, 30; 8:24-26; 9:25; 14:19): Goods, livestock, or valuables taken from a defeated enemy or from the Israelites by oppressors.;xNLx;Camp (e.g., Judges 4:12; 7:1, 8-10, 13-15, 17-19; 10:17; 11:15-16; 13:25; 18:6, 11-12; 20:19; 21:5, 8, 10, 12): A temporary settlement or base for an army or a migrating group.;xNLx;Trumpet / Horn (Hebrew: shophar or chatsotsrah) (e.g., Judges 3:27; 6:34; 7:8, 16, 18-20, 22): Instruments used for signaling in battle, assembling troops, or for religious purposes. Gideon's use of trumpets was a key element in his victory.;xNLx;Devote to destruction (see Section I in Joshua definitions - similar concept if it appears, though less prominent as a direct command to Israel in Judges compared to Joshua's conquest phase. Oppressors might "devote" things or people in their own pagan ways.): While the primary "devoting to destruction" (herem) commanded by God was during the initial conquest (Joshua), the concept of utter destruction in warfare or severe judgment can still be present. (Need to verify specific usage in Judges for this definition). Self-correction: After conceptual review, while destruction is frequent, the specific herem command to Israel is less a theme than the consequences of failing to complete it earlier. The term itself may not be as central as in Joshua but the idea of complete defeat of enemies is present.;xNLx;Muster (e.g., Judges 20:14-17): To assemble troops for military service or review.;xNLx;IV. Social Customs and General Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Sojourner / Stranger (Hebrew: ger) (e.g., Judges 17:7-9; 19:1, 16): A person residing in a land who is not a native citizen or part of the main tribal community. The Levite in Micah's story and the Levite with his concubine were sojourning.;xNLx;Concubine (e.g., Judges 8:31; 19:1-2, 4, 9-10, 24-25, 27, 29; 20:4-6): A woman who was a recognized sexual partner of a man but had a lower social and legal status than a wife. Her children might or might not have inheritance rights, depending on customs and the father's decisions. The story of the Levite's concubine (Judges 19) is a particularly grim episode.;xNLx;Redeem (related to kinsman-redeemer, though the specific term go'el might be less prominent than the concept of familial responsibility or vengeance): While the formal office of kinsman-redeemer (go'el) with all its land-redemption aspects might not be detailed, the underlying principle of family/clan responsibility for its members (e.g., avenging wrongs, providing for widows, though not always positively depicted) is part of the social fabric. (Need to verify specific usage of "redeem" in Judges). Self-correction: The term "redeem" in its technical land-redemption sense is not a major theme in Judges. Vengeance and tribal/clan loyalty are more prominent.;xNLx;Spirit of the LORD (e.g., Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14): The divine power or presence of God coming upon individuals, empowering them for specific tasks, particularly for leadership and deliverance as judges.;xNLx;Reproach (e.g., Judges 5:18 [NRSV/NET have "scorned death" - ESV "despised their lives"]; 11:2 [Jephthah's brothers]): Shame, disgrace, or dishonor.;xNLx;Prostitute / Harlot (e.g., Judges 11:1 [Jephthah's mother]; 16:1 [Samson and the harlot of Gaza]): A woman who engages in sexual activity for payment.;xNLx;Threshing floor (e.g., Judges 6:11, 37): A hard, flat surface where grain was threshed (separated from the stalks and husks), often by beating or by the trampling of animals.;xNLx;Winepress (e.g., Judges 6:11; 7:25; 9:27): A vat or trough where grapes were trodden or pressed to extract juice for making wine.;xNLx;This list provides a starting point for understanding some of the key vocabulary in the Book of Judges (ESV). The book's narratives are often stark and reflect a period of social and religious decline, so understanding these terms in their often grim context is crucial for accurate interpretation.