Final answer:
The Sanhedrin was a powerful body in ancient Judah with the authority to try an entire tribe, integral to the complex socio-religious governance of Jewish society.
Step-by-step explanation:
In ancient Judah, the Sanhedrin was indeed a powerful religious and judicial body. It had far-reaching authority, including the right to try a whole tribe if necessary. The Jewish society of the time was characterized by various groups such as the Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, and Zealots, all of whom had different interpretations of religious laws and societal roles. The Sanhedrin formed an essential aspect of this socio-religious structure, mediating between these differing groups and upholding the laws as they saw fit, based on their interpretations of Mosaic Law and tradition.
The scenarios described in the biblical books of Joshua, Judges, and Samuel elucidate the complex interplay between the tribes of Israel, various laws, and the Judgement that could be passed on individuals or groups, including tribes, for transgressions. Given the central role of Judaism in daily life and the governance of the Hebrew tribes, the Sanhedrin, particularly in the post-exilic period, was likely the prime institution for such grave proceedings.