Judges 18

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 18 of 21

1 In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking an inheritance for itself to inhabit. For to that day it had not fallen to them by inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

2 And the sons of Dan sent out of their family five men from their whole number, men, sons of strength, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it. And they said to them, Go, search the land. And they came to the hills of Ephraim, to Micah's house, and lodged there.

3 They were near the household of Micah, and they recognized the young man's voice, the Levite. And they turned in there, and said to him, Who has brought you here? And what are you doing in this place? And what have you here?

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Chapter Summary

The men of Dan seek a place. 3 At Micah's house they recognize Jonathan. 7 They find Laish unprotected. 11 Six hundred men are sent to seize it. 27 They take Laish, and call it Dan.

Key Hebrew Words

פֶּ֫סֶל graven image H6459 · TWOT 1788a
מַסֵּכָה molten image H4541 · TWOT 1375c
אֵפוֹד ephod H646 · TWOT 142.1a
תְּרָפִים household idols H8655 · TWOT 2545
כֹּהֵן priest H3548 · TWOT 959a
נַחֲלָה inheritance H5159 · TWOT 1342a

People & Context

The Danites

The tribe of Dan, who sent five spies and six hundred armed men to seize Laish and take Micah's idols

Micah

The Ephraimite whose graven image, ephod and priest the Danites carried off, leaving him powerless to resist

Jonathan

The Levite, son of Gershom son of Manasseh, who became priest to the tribe of Dan over the graven image

Timeline

Danites Send Spies to Search for Land

Seeking an inheritance, the tribe of Dan sends five strong men from Zorah and Eshtaol to spy out the land. They arrive at Micah's house.

Judges 18:1-2
Spies Encounter Micah's Priest

The spies recognize the Levite's voice, learn of his arrangement with Micah, and ask him to inquire of God if their journey will be prosperous.

Judges 18:3-6
Spies Discover Laish

The five spies arrive at Laish, observing that the people live securely, quietly, and far from the Sidonians without any allies.

Judges 18:7

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