Judges 18
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
THE DANITES SEEK OUT AN INHERITANCE. (Jdg. 18:1-26) In those days . . . the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in--The Danites had a territory assigned them as well as the other tribes. But either through indolence, or a lack of energy, they did not acquire the full possession of their allotment, but suffered a considerable portion of it to be wrested out of their hands by the encroachments of their powerful neighbors, the Philistines. In consequence, being straitened for room, a considerable number resolved on trying to effect a new and additional settlement in a remote part of the land. A small deputation, being despatched to reconnoitre the country, arrived on their progress northward at the residence of Micah. Recognizing his priest as one of their former acquaintances, or perhaps by his provincial dialect, they eagerly enlisted his services in ascertaining the result of their present expedition. His answer, though apparently promising, was delusive, and really as ambiguous as those of the heathen oracles. This application brings out still more clearly and fully than the schism of Micah the woeful degeneracy of the times. The Danites expressed no emotions either of surprise or of indignation at a Levite daring to assume the priestly functions, and at the existence of a rival establishment to that of Shiloh. They were ready to seek, through means of the teraphim, the information that could only be lawfully applied for through the high priest's Urim. Being thus equally erroneous in their views and habits as Micah, they show the low state of religion, and how much superstition prevailed in all parts of the land.
Open source ↗In those days there was no king in Israel,.... No supreme magistrate, no judge, for it was before the time of the judges, after the death of Joshua and before Othniel the first judge; this is observed before, Jdg 17:6 and here repeated to account for the evil things done by the Danites, their consulting Micah's oracle, taking away his priest and his gods, and setting up his graven image in Dan, by which means idolatry was spread in Israel, and brought on their servitude to Chushanrishathaim, from which Othniel the first judge was their deliverer: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; that is, a family of them, as in the next verse, not the whole tribe; for as a family is sometimes put for a tribe, Jos 7:17 so a tribe for a family, Jdg 20:12. for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen to them among the tribes of Israel: we rightly supply the words "all their"; for otherwise an inheritance had fallen to them by lot, as the other tribes. Jos 19:40, but that was not only too little for them, Jos 19:47 but all that was allotted to them did not come into their possession, but a part remained unsubdued; and some they had possession of they could not keep, either through the superior strength of the Amorites, or their own sloth and cowardice, or for want of the help of their brethren; see Jdg 1:34.
Open source ↗This took place at a time when Israel had no king, and the tribe of the Danites sought an inheritance for themselves to dwell in, because until that day no such portion had fallen to them among the tribes as an inheritance. To the expression נפלה לא (had not fallen) we must supply נחלה as the subject from the previous clause; and בּנחלה signifies in the character of a nachalah, i.e., of a possession that could be transmitted as hereditary property from father to son. נפל, to fall, is used with reference to the falling of the lot (vid., Num 34:2; Jos 13:6, etc.). The general statement, that as yet no inheritance had fallen to the tribe of Dan by lot, has its limitation in the context. As the Danites, according to Jdg 18:2, sent out five men from Zorea and Eshtaol, and, according to Jdg 18:11, six hundred men equipped for fight went out to Laish, which the spies had discovered to be a place well fitted for a settlement, and had settled there, it is very evident from this that the Danites were not absolutely without an inheritance, but that hitherto they had not received one sufficient for their wants. The emigrants themselves were already settled in Zorea and Eshtaol, two of the towns that had fallen to the tribe of Dan by lot (Jos 19:41). Moreover, the six hundred equipped Danites, who went out of these towns, were only a very small part of the tribe of Danites, which numbered 64,400 males of twenty years old and upwards at the last census (Num 26:43). For a tribe of this size the land assigned by Joshua to the tribe of Dan, with all the towns that it contained, was amply sufficient. But from Jdg 1:34 we learn that the Amorites forced the Danites into the mountains, and would not allow them to come down into the plain. Consequently they were confined to a few towns situa…
Open source ↗Here is, 1. The eye which these Danites had upon Laish, not the whole tribe of Dan, but one family of them, to whose lot, in the subdivision of Canaan, that city fell. Hitherto this family had sojourned with their brethren, who had taken possession of their lot, which lay between Judah and the Philistines, and had declined going to their own city, because there was no king in Israel to rule over them, Jdg 18:1. It lay a great way off, separate from the rest of their tribe; it was entirely in the enemy's hand, and therefore they would sponge upon their brethren rather than go far to provide for themselves. But at length necessity forced them to arouse themselves, and they began to think of an inheritance to dwell in. It is better to have a little of one's own than always to hang upon others. 2. The enquiry which this family of the Danites made concerning Laish: They sent five men to search the land (Jdg 18:2), that they might know the character of the country, whether it was an inheritance worth going so far for, and the posture of the people, whether the making of themselves masters of it was a thing practicable, what force was necessary in order thereunto, and which was the best way of making an attack upon it. The men they sent were men of valour, who, if they fell into their enemies' hands, knew how to look danger in the face. It is prudent to look before we leap. Dan had the subtlety of a serpent by the way (Gen 49:17), as well as the courage of a lion's whelp, leaping from Bashan, Deu 33:22. 3. The acquaintance which their spies got with Micah's priest, and the use they made of that acquaintance. It seems, they had know this Levite formerly, he having in his rambles been sometimes in their country; and, though his countenance might be altered, they knew him again b…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… דָּנִי (Dânîy, H1839) — a Danite (often collectively) or descendants (or inhabitants) of Dan בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… דָּן (Dân, H1835) — Dan, one of the sons of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory;… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) קָצָה (qâtsâh, H7098) — a termination חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… צׇרְעָה (Tsorʻâh, H6881) — Tsorah, a place in Palestine אֶשְׁתָּאֹל (ʼEshtâʼôl, H847) — Eshtaol, a place in Palestine רָגַל (râgal, H7270) — to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be atale-bearer… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) חָקַר (châqar, H2713) — properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מִיכָה (Mîykâh, H4318) — Micah, the name of seven Israelites נָכַר (nâkar, H5234) — properly, to scrutinize, i.e. look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) הֲלֹם (hălôm, H1988) — hither עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) זֹה (zôh, H2090) — this or that עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִיכָה (Mîykâh, H4318) — Micah, the name of seven Israelites שָׂכַר (sâkar, H7936) — to hire כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) צָלַח (tsâlach, H6743) — to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… נֹכַח (nôkach, H5227) — properly, the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Open source ↗חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) לַיִשׁ (Layish, H3919) — Laish, the name of two places in Palestine רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בֶּטַח (beṭach, H983) — properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… צִידֹנִי (Tsîydônîy, H6722) — a Tsidonian or inhabitant of Tsidon שָׁקַט (shâqaṭ, H8252) — to repose (usually figurative) בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… צׇרְעָה (Tsorʻâh, H6881) — Tsorah, a place in Palestine אֶשְׁתָּאֹל (ʼEshtâʼôl, H847) — Eshtaol, a place in Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… חָשָׁה (châshâh, H2814) — to hush or keep quiet עָצַל (ʻâtsal, H6101) — to lean idly, i.e. to be indolent or slack יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure רָחָב (râchâb, H7342) — roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… מַחְסוֹר (machçôwr, H4270) — deficiency; hence, impoverishment דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗נָסַע (nâçaʻ, H5265) — properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… דָּנִי (Dânîy, H1839) — a Danite (often collectively) or descendants (or inhabitants) of Dan צׇרְעָה (Tsorʻâh, H6881) — Tsorah, a place in Palestine אֶשְׁתָּאֹל (ʼEshtâʼôl, H847) — Eshtaol, a place in Palestine שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… חָגַר (châgar, H2296) — to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.) כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare)
Open source ↗עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… חָנָה (chânâh, H2583) — properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening);… קִרְיַת יְעָרִים (Qiryath Yᵉʻârîym, H7157) — Kirjath-Jearim or Kirjath-Arim, a place in Palestine יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… מַחֲנֵה־דָן (Machănêh-Dân, H4265) — Machaneh-Dan, a place in Palestine יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various…
Open source ↗עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מִיכָה (Mîykâh, H4318) — Micah, the name of seven Israelites
Open source ↗עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) רָגַל (râgal, H7270) — to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be atale-bearer… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) לַיִשׁ (Layish, H3919) — Laish, the name of two places in Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֵפוֹד (ʼêphôwd, H646) — a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image תְּרָפִים (tᵉrâphîym, H8655) — Teraphim (singular or plural) a family idol
Open source ↗Cross-references
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The Amorites forced the Danites into the hill country and did not allow them to come down into the plain.
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Now in those days, when there was no king in Israel, a Levite who lived in the remote hill country of Ephraim took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.