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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 18:19 "Be quiet," they told him. "Put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/18-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/07_Jdg_18_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 18:19 - The Danites Take Micah's Idols" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Be quiet, they told him. Put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be a father and a priest to us. 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Don&#8217t say a word. Come with us, and be our father and priest. Isn&#8217t it better that you serve a tribe and clan in Israel as priest rather than just one man&#8217s household?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/judges/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Be quiet and come with us,” they said. “Be a father and priest to all of us. Isn’t it better to be a priest for an entire tribe and clan of Israel than for the household of just one man?” <a href="/esv/judges/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> And they said to him, “Keep quiet; put your hand on your mouth and come with us and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?” <a href="/bsb/judges/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Be quiet,” they told him. “Put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?” <a href="/kjv/judges/18.htm">King James Bible</a> And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? <a href="/nkjv/judges/18.htm">New King James Version</a> And they said to him, “Be quiet, put your hand over your mouth, and come with us; be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest to the household of one man, or that you be a priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?” <a href="/nasb_/judges/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And they said to him, “Be silent, put your hand over your mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?” <a href="/nasb/judges/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> They said to him, &#8220Be silent, put your hand over your mouth and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/judges/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And they said to him, “Be silent, put your hand over your mouth and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?” <a href="/lsb/judges/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And they said to him, “Be silent; put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?” <a href="/amp/judges/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They said to him, “Keep quiet, put your hand over your mouth and come with us, and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or to be a priest to a tribe and family in Israel?” <a href="/csb/judges/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They told him, “Be quiet. Keep your mouth shut. Come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or for you to be a priest for a tribe and family in Israel? ” <a href="/hcsb/judges/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They told him, &#8220Be quiet. Keep your mouth shut. Come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or for you to be a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?&#8221 <a href="/asv/judges/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thy hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be priest unto the house of one man, or to be priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? <a href="/cev/judges/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "Quiet!" the men said. "Keep your mouth shut and listen. Why don't you come with us and be our priest, so you can tell us what God wants us to do? You could stay here and be a priest for one man's family, but wouldn't you rather be the priest for a clan or even a whole tribe of Israel?" <a href="/erv/judges/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be priest unto the house of one man, or to be priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? <a href="/gwt/judges/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They told him, "Keep quiet! Don't say a word! Come with us and be our father and priest. Is it better for you to be a priest for one man's house or for a tribe in Israel and its families?" <a href="/gnt/judges/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> They told him, "Keep quiet. Don't say a word. Come with us and be our priest and adviser. Wouldn't you rather be a priest for a whole Israelite tribe than for the family of one man?" <a href="/isv/judges/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> They told him, "Shut up and keep quiet. Come with us and be our spiritual father and priest. It's better for you, isn't it, to be a priest to an entire tribe and family in Israel than to be priest to the home of one man?" <a href="/msb/judges/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Be quiet,? they told him. ?Put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?? <a href="/net/judges/18.htm">NET Bible</a> They said to him, "Shut up! Put your hand over your mouth and come with us! You can be our adviser and priest. Wouldn't it be better to be a priest for a whole Israelite tribe than for just one man's family?" <a href="/nheb/judges/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They said to him, "Hold your peace, lay your hand on your mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?" <a href="/wbt/judges/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And they said to him, Hold thy peace, lay thy hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: Is it better for thee to be a priest to the house of one man, or that thou shouldst be a priest to a tribe and a family in Israel? <a href="/web/judges/18.htm">World English Bible</a> They said to him, “Hold your peace, put your hand on your mouth, and go with us. Be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And they say to him, “Keep silent, lay your hand on your mouth, and go with us, and be for a father and for a priest to us: is it better your being a priest for the house of one man, or your being priest for a tribe and for a family in Israel?” <a href="/ylt/judges/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and they say to him, 'Keep silent, lay thy hand on thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us for a father and for a priest: is it better thy being a priest to the house of one man, or thy being priest to a tribe and to a family in Israel?' <a href="/slt/judges/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will say to him, Be silent; put thy hand upon thy mouth and go with us, and be to us for father and for priest: is it good for thee to be priest to the house of one man, or for thee to be priest to a tribe and to a family in Israel?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they said to him: Hold thy peace and put thy finger on thy mouth and come with us, that we may have thee for a father, and a priest. Whether is better for thee, to be a priest in the house of one man, or in a tribe and family in Israel? <a href="/cpdv/judges/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they responded to him: “Be silent and place your finger over your mouth. And come with us, so that we may have you as a father as well as a priest. For which is better for you: to be a priest in the house of one man, or in one tribe and family in Israel?” <a href="/nabre/judges/18.htm">New American Bible</a> they said to him, “Be still! Put your hand over your mouth! Come with us and be our father and priest. Is it better for you to be priest for the family of one man or to be priest for a tribe and a clan in Israel?” <a href="/nrsvce/judges/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They said to him, “Keep quiet! Put your hand over your mouth, and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one person, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they said to him, Hold your peace, stop talking, and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Which is better for you, to be a priest for one man's household, or to be a priest to a family and a tribe of Israel? <a href="/hpbt/judges/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> They said to him: “Be quiet! Lay your hand on your mouth and come with us and be a Father and Priest to us! Which is better for you: that you would be a Priest for the house of one man or that you would be a Priest for a race and for a tribe of the house of Israel?”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And they said unto him: 'Hold thy peace, lay thy hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest; is it better for thee to be priest unto the house of one man, or to be priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel?' <a href="/sep/judges/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And they said to him, Be silent, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be the priest of the house of one man, or to be the priest of a tribe and house for a family of Israel? <a href="/parallel/judges/18-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=5435" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/judges/18.htm">The Danites Take Micah's Idols</a> …18When they entered Micah’s house and took the graven image, the ephod, the household idols, and the molten idol, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?” 19<a href="/hebrew/2790.htm" title="2790: ha·ḥă·rêš (V-Hifil-Imp-ms) -- To cut in, engrave, plow, devise.">“Be quiet,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they told</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: śîm- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">“Put</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">your hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: pî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">your mouth</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: wə·lêḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">and come</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·mā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with us</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: weh·yêh- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and be</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: lə·’āḇ (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">a father</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: ū·lə·ḵō·hên (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">and a priest</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">to us.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: hă·ṭō·wḇ (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">Is it better</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hĕ·yō·wṯ·ḵā (V-Qal-Inf:: 2ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">for you to be</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: ḵō·hên (N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">a priest</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: lə·ḇêṯ (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">for the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">of one</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">person</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hĕ·yō·wṯ·ḵā (V-Qal-Inf:: 2ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: ḵō·hên (N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">a priest</a> <a href="/hebrew/7626.htm" title="7626: lə·šê·ḇeṭ (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. From an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. a stick Or a clan.">for a tribe</a> <a href="/hebrew/4940.htm" title="4940: ū·lə·miš·pā·ḥāh (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-fs) -- From shaphah; a family, i.e. Circle of relatives; figuratively, a class, a species or sort; by extens. A tribe or people.">and family</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: bə·yiś·rā·’êl (Prep-b:: N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">in Israel?”</a> 20So the priest was glad and took the ephod, the household idols, and the graven image, and went with the people.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/judges/17-10.htm">Judges 17:10</a> “Stay with me,” Micah said to him, “and be my father and priest, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your provisions.” So the Levite went in <a href="/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31</a> Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites. <a href="/1_kings/13-33.htm">1 Kings 13:33</a> Even after these events, Jeroboam did not repent of his evil ways, but again he appointed priests for the high places from every class of people. He ordained anyone who desired to be a priest of the high places. <a href="/2_kings/17-32.htm">2 Kings 17:32</a> So the new residents worshiped the LORD, but they also appointed for themselves priests of all sorts to serve in the shrines of the high places. <a href="/2_chronicles/11-15.htm">2 Chronicles 11:15</a> And Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat demons and calf idols he had made. <a href="/2_chronicles/13-9.htm">2 Chronicles 13:9</a> But did you not drive out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites? And did you not make priests for yourselves as do the peoples of other lands? Now whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams can become a priest of things that are not gods. <a href="/exodus/32-29.htm">Exodus 32:29</a> Afterward, Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for service to the LORD, since each man went against his son and his brother; so the LORD has bestowed a blessing on you this day.” <a href="/numbers/16-10.htm">Numbers 16:10</a> He has brought you near, you and all your fellow Levites, but you are seeking the priesthood as well. <a href="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8-10</a> Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah. / He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant. / He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar. <a href="/1_samuel/2-36.htm">1 Samuel 2:36</a> And everyone left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a morsel of bread, pleading, “Please appoint me to some priestly office so that I can eat a piece of bread.”’” <a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm">1 Samuel 8:3</a> But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice. <a href="/1_samuel/14-3.htm">1 Samuel 14:3</a> including Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left. <a href="/1_samuel/22-18.htm">1 Samuel 22:18</a> So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. <a href="/1_kings/2-27.htm">1 Kings 2:27</a> So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli. <a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10-11</a> Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And they said to him, Hold your peace, lay your hand on your mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or that you be a priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?lay thine.<a href="/job/21-5.htm">Job 21:5</a> Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.<a href="/job/29-9.htm">Job 29:9</a> The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.<a href="/job/40-5.htm">Job 40:5,6</a> Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further… a father<a href="/judges/17-10.htm">Judges 17:10</a> And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.<a href="/2_kings/6-21.htm">2 Kings 6:21</a> And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?<a href="/2_kings/8-8.htm">2 Kings 8:8,9</a> And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/11-25.htm">Better</a> <a href="/judges/18-10.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/16-29.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/judges/18-18.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/18-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/16-3.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/judges/11-36.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/judges/18-6.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/judges/18-18.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/judges/18-7.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/judges/13-16.htm">Shouldst</a> <a href="/judges/18-9.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/judges/18-11.htm">Tribe</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ruth/2-22.htm">Better</a> <a href="/judges/20-28.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/19-4.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/judges/18-22.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/18-29.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/ruth/3-8.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/judges/18-27.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/judges/19-20.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/judges/18-20.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/judges/18-27.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/ruth/2-10.htm">Shouldst</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-9.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/judges/18-30.htm">Tribe</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 18</div>1. <a href="/judges/18-1.htm">The Danites send five men to seek out an inheritance</a> 3. <a href="/judges/18-3.htm">At the house of Micah they consult with Jonathan, and are encouraged</a> 7. <a href="/judges/18-7.htm">They search Laish, and bring back news of good hope</a> 11. <a href="/judges/18-11.htm">Six hundred men are sent to surprise it</a> 16. <a href="/judges/18-16.htm">In their way they rob Micah of his priest and his consecrated things</a> 27. <a href="/judges/18-27.htm">They win Laish, and call it Dan</a> 30. <a href="/judges/18-30.htm">They set up idolatry, wherein Jonathan inherits the priesthood.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>“Be quiet,” they told him. This phrase reflects the abrupt and authoritative manner in which the Danites address the Levite. It indicates a lack of respect for his position as a priest, highlighting the chaotic and lawless period of the Judges when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (<a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>). The command to be quiet suggests a coercive approach, emphasizing the moral decline and disregard for proper religious order.“Put your hand over your mouth and come with us The gesture of putting a hand over the mouth is a sign of silence and submission, often used in ancient Near Eastern cultures to indicate respect or to prevent speaking out of turn. The Danites are not inviting the Levite but rather commanding him, reflecting the disorder and lack of reverence for religious roles during this time. This also foreshadows the Levite's willingness to abandon his current position for personal gain, illustrating the compromised state of spiritual leadership.and be a father and a priest to us. The term "father" here is used metaphorically to denote a spiritual leader or guide, not a biological parent. This reflects the desire for a personal priest who can provide religious services and guidance, a role that was supposed to be centralized in the Levitical priesthood serving at the Tabernacle. The request underscores the fragmentation of religious practices in Israel during the Judges period, where tribal and familial loyalties often superseded national religious unity.Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person This phrase highlights the offer of greater influence and prestige. The Levite was serving Micah, a single household, which was contrary to the intended role of the Levites who were to serve the entire community of Israel. This reflects the personal and privatized religion that had developed, deviating from the communal worship prescribed in the Mosaic Law.or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?” The Danites present a tempting offer of increased status and influence, appealing to the Levite's ambition. Serving a whole tribe would provide more authority and possibly more material benefits. This reflects the broader theme in Judges of Israel's failure to maintain covenant faithfulness, as tribes sought their own solutions rather than adhering to God's established order. The Levite's decision to accept this offer illustrates the compromised state of spiritual leadership and foreshadows the further idolatry and moral decline that would plague Israel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_danites.htm">The Danites</a> A tribe of Israel seeking a new territory, as their allotted land was insufficient. 2. <a href="/topical/m/micah.htm">Micah</a> An Ephraimite who had established a private shrine with a Levite priest. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_levite_priest.htm">The Levite Priest</a> Initially serving in Micah's household, he is persuaded by the Danites to become their priest. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_house_of_micah.htm">The House of Micah</a> The location where the Levite served before being taken by the Danites. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_tribe_of_dan.htm">The Tribe of Dan</a> One of the twelve tribes of Israel, seeking to expand their territory.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_compromise.htm">The Danger of Compromise</a> The Levite's willingness to abandon his position for greater influence reflects the danger of compromising one's calling for personal gain. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_a_priest.htm">The Role of a Priest</a> The Levite's role was to serve God and His people, not to seek personal advancement. This reminds us of the importance of faithfulness in our God-given roles. <a href="/topical/i/influence_and_responsibility.htm">Influence and Responsibility</a> The Danites' offer to the Levite shows how influence can be misused. We must be cautious about how we use our influence and the responsibilities we accept. <a href="/topical/i/idolatry_and_its_consequences.htm">Idolatry and Its Consequences</a> Micah's household idol worship and the Levite's participation highlight the pervasive issue of idolatry, reminding us to guard against modern forms of idolatry in our lives. <a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_will.htm">Seeking God's Will</a> The Danites' actions were driven by self-interest rather than seeking God's guidance, teaching us the importance of aligning our decisions with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 18</a> <a href="/q/judges_19__how_to_reconcile_with_divine_justice.htm">Judges 19--How do we reconcile this brutal event with the portrayal of divine justice and compassion found in other parts of the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/jacob's_prophecies_in_the_bible.htm">What are Jacob's prophecies in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/dan's_inheritance_accurate_despite_migration.htm">Joshua 19:40-48: How can Dan's inheritance be accurate if the tribe later migrated elsewhere (Judges 18)?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_the_concubine_stay_with_her_dad.htm">Judges 19:2--What historical or cultural factors would explain why the Levite's concubine stayed with her father instead of returning home?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.--Comp. <a href="/job/21-5.htm" title="Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand on your mouth.">Job 21:5</a>; <a href="/job/29-9.htm" title="The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.">Job 29:9</a>; <a href="/proverbs/30-32.htm" title="If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, lay your hand on your mouth.">Proverbs 30:32</a>. The laying of the finger on the lip is one of the most universal of gestures. It is the attitude of Horus, the Egyptian god of silence. (See Apul. Metamorph. 1: at ille digitum, a pollice proximum ori suo admovens . . . tace. tace, inquit.)A father and a priest.--<a href="/judges/17-10.htm" title="And Micah said to him, Dwell with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and your victuals. So the Levite went in.">Judges 17:10</a>.Unto a tribe and a family.--Both to a shebet and a mishpecah. (See Note on <a href="/judges/18-1.htm" title="In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for to that day all their inheritance had not fallen to them among the tribes of Israel.">Judges 18:1</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 19. - Lay thine hand upon thy mouth. Cf. <a href="/job/21-5.htm">Job 21:5</a>; <a href="/job/29-9.htm">Job 29:9</a>; <a href="/job/40-4.htm">Job 40:4</a>. A father and a priest. See <a href="/judges/17-10.htm">Judges 17:10</a>, note. <a href="/commentaries/judges/18-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“Be quiet,” הַחֲרֵ֜שׁ (ha·ḥă·rêš) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2790.htm">Strong's 2790: </a> To cut in, engrave, plow, devise they told him. וַיֹּאמְרוּ֩ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Put שִֽׂים־ (śîm-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> Put -- to put, place, set your hand יָדְךָ֤ (yā·ḏə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand over עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against your mouth פִּ֙יךָ֙ (pî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to and come וְלֵ֣ךְ (wə·lêḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk with us עִמָּ֔נוּ (‘im·mā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> With, equally with and be וֶֽהְיֵה־ (weh·yêh-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be a father לְאָ֣ב (lə·’āḇ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father and a priest וּלְכֹהֵ֑ן (ū·lə·ḵō·hên) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest to us. לָ֖נוּ (lā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> Is it better הֲט֣וֹב ׀ (hă·ṭō·wḇ) Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good for you to be הֱיוֹתְךָ֣ (hĕ·yō·wṯ·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be a priest כֹהֵ֗ן (ḵō·hên) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest for the house לְבֵית֙ (lə·ḇêṯ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of one אֶחָ֔ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first person אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person or א֚וֹ (’ōw) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> Desire, if a priest כֹהֵ֔ן (ḵō·hên) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest for a tribe לְשֵׁ֥בֶט (lə·šê·ḇeṭ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7626.htm">Strong's 7626: </a> Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe and family וּלְמִשְׁפָּחָ֖ה (ū·lə·miš·pā·ḥāh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4940.htm">Strong's 4940: </a> A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people in Israel?” בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (bə·yiś·rā·’êl) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/18-19.htm">Judges 18:19 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/18-19.htm">Judges 18:19 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/18-19.htm">Judges 18:19 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/18-19.htm">Judges 18:19 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/18-19.htm">Judges 18:19 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/18-19.htm">Judges 18:19 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/18-19.htm">Judges 18:19 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/18-19.htm">Judges 18:19 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/18-19.htm">Judges 18:19 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/18-19.htm">Judges 18:19 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/18-19.htm">OT History: Judges 18:19 They said to him Hold your peace (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/18-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 18:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 18:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/18-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 18:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 18:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>