<P> A Biblical judge (Hebrew: שופט ‎ šōp̄êṭ / shofet, pl . שופטים ‎ šōp̄əṭîm / shoftim) was "a ruler or a military leader as well as someone who presided over legal hearings ." These judges appear most often in the Book of Judges, which is named after them . </P> <P> Biblical scholar Kenneth Kitchen argues that, from the conquest of Canaan by Joshua until the formation of the first Kingdom of Israel and Judah (ca . 1150--1025 BC), the Israelite tribes formed a loose confederation . No central government existed in this confederation; in times of crisis, the people were led by ad hoc chieftains, known as judges (shoftim). </P> <P> However, other scholars have abandoned the idea that Joshua carried out a conquest of Canaan similar to that described in the Book of Joshua . Likewise, there is doubt among scholars that a period resembling the one described in the Book of Judges existed in ancient Israel . </P>

Who was the last judge in the book of judges