Age.21 The fact that Shamgar is paired in the Song of Deborah with Jael, a Kenite, seems to confirm his non-Israelite origins. Like Othniel, the first cyclical/major judge, Shamgar, the first noncyclical/minor judge, is a non-Israelite. He is the only noncyclical judge to save Israel from a specific oppressor (Tola will “save Israel,” but from whom is left blank). He is the only noncyclical judge for which there is any information concerning how he does it (though admittedly scanty). If the role of judge as described in the introduction is applied to the minor judges, Shamgar seems to be the
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