A philosophical interpretation of Deborah's understanding of justice in the Book of Judges

Abstract

The study deals with the issue of justice in the context of divine and natural law. The starting point is an analysis of selected texts from the Book of Judges, which are linked to Judge Deborah. The philosophical interpretation is based on the distinction between divine and natural law, with the main emphasis on the transcendent nature of both types of law. In the context of biblical interpretation, a judge is understood as a person who does not create law, only looks at natural law and listens to the voice of God, who reveals his will and his law. The judge, like the prophet, is the mediator between the transcendent space of God's being and will and between the immanent space of man's earthly existence. The study presents some ways of applying transcendental law in the daily practice of Israel and identifies possible problems with the current understanding of law, which is not tied to transcendent principles.