The land had rest forty years. Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
The "minor judges" filled the same role in Israel as the "major judges" (Gideon, Samson, et al.). [Note: See Theodore E. Mullen Jr., "The ’Minor Judges’: Some Literary and Historical Considerations," Catholic Biblical Quarterly 44 (April 1982):185-201.] The commentators vary concerning whom they regard as major (primary) and minor (secondary) judges. Wood, for example, listed only Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon as minor judges. [Note: Wood, p. 7.] 