09.04. Definitions
Definitions Old Testament Hebrew In order to better understand judging, we need to look at the words that are used and what their meaning is. The two main Hebrew words that are used are:
H4941 משׁפּט mishpâṭ From H8199; properly a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (particularly) divine law, individual or collectively), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly justice, including a particular right, or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style: - + adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just (-ice, -ly), (manner of) law (-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.
H8199 שׁפט shâphaṭ A primitive root; to judge, that is, pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication to vindicate or punish; by extension to govern; passively to litigate (literally or figuratively): - + avenge, X that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge (-ment), X needs, plead, reason, rule. The primary meaning relates to judging according to the law. This involves determining right and wrong and handing down a judgement. This judging is done by someone who has the authority to do it, especially and ultimately, God. Ruling and judging go hand in hand. Judging protects the oppressed, weak or innocent and can provide deliverance. God is the lawgiver.
New Testament Greek A number of words are translated judge, judging or similar in the Greek:
G2917 Κρίμα krima From G2919; a decision (the function or the effect, for or against [“crime”]): - avenge, condemned, condemnation, damnation, + go to law, judgment.
G2919 Κρίνω krinō
Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish: - avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
G2920 Κρίσις krisis
(Subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension a tribunal; by implication justice (specifically divine law): - accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.
G2923 Κριτής kritēs From G2919; a judge (generally or specifically): - judge.
G1252 Διακρίνω diakrinō From G1223 and G2919; to separate thoroughly, that is, (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively to discriminate (by implication decide), or (reflexively) hesitate: - contend, make (to) differ (-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver.
G1348 Δικαστής dikastēs From a derivative of G1349; a judger: - judge.
There is a wider range of meanings in total from the Greek words that are used. The meanings of the words range from selecting or having an opinion, to judging according to the law. When a particular passage is looked at, the definition for the Greek word that is used needs to be looked at in a Lexicon and the context considered. For the most part in the New Testament, the usage is quite similar to the Old Testament meaning. The person, or group, that has authority decides or judges based on the law, whether that be the law of God or a law of the land.