Two Minor Judges

What Should We Know About Tola and Jair in Judges 10:1–5?

May 21, 2026

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The book of Judges contains twelve judges, but the biblical author doesn’t give to each of them the same amount of attention. Some of the judges appear on the scene quickly and briefly, with little to illuminate what they did and how they did it.

The first minor judge—Shamgar—appears in Judges 3:31. Then two minor judges—Tola and Jair—are back to back in Judges 10:1–5. Finally, three minor judges—Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon—appear in Judges 12:8–15.

What should we know about Tola and Jair?