Judges 10:1 - Meaning and Application

Quiet and peaceful times are often the hardest to describe, because they give a writer the least variety. That was true of the days of these two judges, Tola and Jair. They take up very little space in the history, but that does not mean they were unimportant. God no doubt raised both of them up to serve their country as judges, unlike Abimelech, who pushed himself into power like a king and grabbed honor for himself.

About Tola it is said that he rose after Abimelech to defend Israel (Judges 10:1). After Abimelech had led Israel into sin by his wickedness, disturbed them by his restless ambition, and exposed them to outside enemies, God stirred up this good man to repair the damage. He worked to reform abuses, put down idolatry, calm unrest, and heal the wounds Abimelech’s rule had left on the nation. In that way, he saved them from themselves and protected them from their enemies.

Tola came from the tribe of Issachar, a tribe described as willing to serve, one that bowed its shoulder to bear burdens (Genesis 49:14-15). Yet one from that tribe was raised to rule, for those who humble themselves will be lifted up. He bore the name of an ancestor in that tribe, since Tola was the first named among the sons of Issachar (Genesis 46:13; Numbers 26:23). His name means “worm,” but because it was also the name of his ancestor, he was not ashamed of it.

Though he was from Issachar, when he was raised to govern he lived in Mount Ephraim. That place was more central, so the people could more easily come to him for judgment. He judged Israel for twenty-three years (Judges 10:2). He kept the nation in good order, though nothing especially memorable is recorded about his rule.

Jair was a Gileadite, and so was his successor Jephthah, both from that half-tribe of Manasseh that lived east of the Jordan River. Though they seemed separated from their brothers, God still made sure they shared in the honor of leadership from time to time, before the government settled in Judah. In this way, he showed special honor to the part that lacked it.

Jair also bore the name of a famous man from the same tribe, one who had been active in taking possession of that land in Moses’ day (Numbers 32:41; Joshua 13:30). What stands out most about this Jair is the honor and growth of his family. He had thirty sons (Judges 10:4). They had good positions, because they rode on thirty young donkeys. These were judges who traveled from place to place on their assigned circuits to administer justice. We later see Samuel appointing his sons as judges, though he could not make them good men (1 Samuel 8:1-3).

They also had good property, and each one had a city among those called Havoth-jair, meaning the villages of Jair. They are called cities, either because these young men improved them and made them stronger, or because they were satisfied with them as if they were great cities. A contented mind can treat even villages like cities.