Judgment — Meaning in the Bible

A decision about what is right or wrong, and its consequences. The Bible speaks of judges deciding cases, of God judging the earth with justice, and of a future final judgment.

Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition

What it means

Israel was to appoint judges who would judge fairly. God is the judge of all the earth, who does right. Deuteronomy 16:18–20 Genesis 18:25

The prophets announce God's judgment on injustice. The New Testament speaks of a coming judgment when everyone gives account, and Jesus warns against judging others hypocritically. Amos 5:21–24 Matthew 7:1–5 Matthew 25:31–46 Romans 2:5–11

Key passages

Genesis 18:25 — "Shouldn't the Judge of all the earth do right?"
Deuteronomy 16:18–20 — Judges must judge fairly.
Psalm 96:10–13 — He will judge the world with righteousness.
Matthew 7:1–5 — Do not judge hypocritically.
Matthew 25:31–46 — The sheep and the goats.
2 Corinthians 5:10 — All must appear before Christ's judgment seat.

Different senses

Deciding cases: Courts and judges. Deuteronomy 16:18
God's justice in history: God acting against wrong. Amos 5:24
Final judgment: The coming day of account. Matthew 25:31–32

Original language

מִשְׁפָּט mish.pat

Hebrew · Strong’s H4941 · gloss: “justice: judgement”

The Hebrew word often translated "justice" or "judgment". Micah 6:8 Amos 5:24

κρίσις krisis

Greek · Strong’s G2920 · gloss: “judgment”

A Greek word for judgment. John 5:22

A Strong’s number is a reference identifier, not a complete definition: what a word means in a passage depends on its context. Lexical data: STEPBible.org, based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

How translations differ

The Hebrew word mishpat is translated "justice" in some verses and "judgment" in others; Amos 5:24 is an example. Amos 5:24

Study further

Genesis 18:16–33 Abraham pleads with the Judge of all the earth.
Amos 5:18–24 Justice like rivers.
Matthew 25:31–46 Jesus on the final judgment.